Mark Fisher, MS MSF, Dr Jane Nixon MRCVS and many others are all busy working on different aspects of saddlery – note, no longer just saddle fitting but also girths, bridles, pads and many other items. Mark works regularly with Russell, top class vets and of course, the video operator, as all of this research has to be covered from every angle and to strict protocols. Such research is expensive, so we have to thank Fairfax saddles, in particular Vanessa Fairfax, for really getting the ball rolling with their work on girths, work that has since been continued across their range.
The research is great for design and development, but does this have any advantages for the saddler or saddle fitter working in the front line? You bet it does! Apart from knowing the proven facts of many products, there are many little pieces of information that have been a real help to us.
For example, experienced saddle fitters know that too wide a tree will not work very well, and that horses will not ‘grow into it’ as some have claimed – in fact the result was often the very opposite, but we were a voice crying in the wilderness if we tried to say this. Now we can point to the validated and widely available research done by Russell, Mark and their team that PROVES this. However, we have also found that the odd horse, not all by any means can alter width from the static fitting to the dynamic. Some go wider when working, but some go narrower. Many just stay the same.
It has become glaringly obvious that a horse fitted when static can completely change once ridden, in that a saddle in balance static can tip forward or back once the horse is ridden, often to a considerable degree. I used to fit a good dressage horse where I had to remember to set the saddle at a 30% angle tipping back, because as soon as his rider picked up the reins he would engage his quarters and lift his back so much that the saddle would then be level. If I fitted it level when static, the rider would have been tipped forward so much that she just couldn’t ride him.
Thanks to the research done by all, we now know that the horse’s gait and shape can change when ridden, affecting the fit and balance of the saddle. If your saddle fitter only ‘fits’ your saddle static, you will know that this is a job only half done. Unless there are justifiable reasons for not seeing the horse ridden in the saddle, do not accept this.
You will have seen that I mentioned Dr Jane Nixon in an earlier paragraph , widow of the late and much-lamented Stewart Hastie. He was the veterinary advisor to the Society of Master Saddlers and had been a font of knowledge for the Society when they initiated the qualified saddle fitter course and qualification 25 years ago. I am happy to say that Jane has continued his good work and now advises the SMS on relevant veterinary matters.
However, Jane’s main interest is in soundness, feet, shoeing and the influence of this on gait – an area where she has done a great deal of research. Is this relevant to saddle fitting? Oh yes! Amongst many other things, over long toes can give your horse a sore back! Who knew? And how does this help the saddle fitter? Hands up now. How many people have their horses shod regularly with a space of no more than 4 to 6 weeks between shoeing? Not that many I’m sure, and yet it is so important. Badly balanced feet, different heel depth or a host of other problems can all affect a saddle’s performance. In fact, it is becoming more and more obvious that we really have to look at the horse ‘in the round’, with every aspect of his care, comfort and welfare vitally important as they are all interlinked.
The research work done by these people has given us so much helpful information and, whilst many of the longer serving fitters knew that back pain was as often as not a symptom rather than a saddle problem per se, we now have the research evidence to which we can refer. In view of this, the SMS has set up a research group who look out areas of saddlery, fitting, design and other areas where research might enhance our knowledge and therefore the comfort and welfare of your horse.
I have just touched the tip of the iceberg with this topic, but at least now you know that much of the information your SMS qualified saddle fitter tells you is research led, verified and available for you to look up yourself. Different days indeed from when you just had to believe what you were told!
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Building your knowledge will benefit both your horse and your riding – and help you work more effectively alongside not only your saddle fitter, but also other professionals in your equine support network.
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