The current trend in riding, as in most other things, seems to be “going back to nature”. Riders everywhere are interested in current discussions about whether or not to shoe, whether or not to ride bareback, whether or not to “chemically” supplement your horse’s diet. According to documented statistics, the following life expectancies show the opposite to be true:

• Life expectancy of the wild horse (for example Mustang) is 5-7 years.
• Life expectancy of a horse ridden by an inexperienced rider, never exercised to the point of cardiovascular exertion: 7-10 years.
• Life expectancy of a horse under professional training and supervision, ridden in competitive sports or in active training: 20-25 years.

Doesn’t that tell you something?? Nature may be good; professional advice and proper equipment to do “what’s right” prove to be better for your horse.

The whole “circle of influence” philosophy should be considered when determining what is best for your horse. The complementary efforts of professionals such as your veterinarian, farrier, chiropractor, and saddler, will exert their influences positively, to enable you and your horse to achieve maximum life expectancy, health and performance.

What does a professional look for and consider when called in to address a problem or concern? Clearly, there are many external factors and influences acting upon a horse at any given time. For example, consider that there are 15 points which can influence saddle fit (or saddle fit perception) alone:

RIDER
- Ability improves
- Changing disciplines
- New trainer with different expectations
- New horse
- Weight loss/gain
SADDLE
- Flocking shifts
- Leather condition
- Billets stretching
- Tree twisting (due to uneven musculature of horse and/or rider)
- Seat foam settles
HORSE
- Training/Conditioning
- Age
- Nutritional changes
- Health swings
- Re-shoeing

In summary, it doesn’t matter what you choose to ride in or wear, the key principle is to be aware that everything needs to work together properly. No matter how well a saddle fits at the time of purchase, one saddle will not fit a horse over the course of its life (unless the saddle can be adjusted and re-fit). Every horse goes through at least 7 major conformational changes as it matures. Keep in mind that not every saddle on the market is adjustable, nor can be easily adjusted. Adjustable sometimes just refers to the fact that it can be reflocked without adjustments made to the tree itself.

I commit to keeping up with latest research, industry knowledge and technology, in our products and in our services. We confer on a regular basis with other equine professionals, and promise to educate riders to make intelligent and informed decisions. If your saddle fits you and is totally comfortable for you and your horse, your ability to ride and your horse's capacity to perform will improve. My advice: be sure you work with a knowledgeable saddle fitter you trust!

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