Re: RC: Fw: was CTR: slipping saddle now muscle loss

[twoodcock@lendleaserei.com]

A breastcollar will not correct saddle fit.  All a breastcollar does is keep the
saddle from sliding back on the horses back during steep ascents.  If you
tighten the breastcollar enough to keep the saddle forward during flatwork, it's
going to impede movement.

Personally, I ALWAYS use a breastcollar (the "hunt" type that attaches the
arms(?) together over the withers) for one single reason:  If by some freak
accident, both my girth and surcingle should break, the breastcollar should keep
the saddle from twisting all the way under the horse's belly.

Thankfully I've only halfway tested this theory.  Once I loosed the girth on my
sisters saddle at a "pretend" vet check and during the trot out the saddle fell
to one side and hung there without falling all the way under.  Good thing this
particular horse is used to various riders doing stupid things and didn't even
flinch!

Tamara




"KLyn" <alecman@alltel.net> on 08/01/2000 05:57:05 AM

To:   ridecamp@endurance.net
cc:    (bcc: Tamara Woodcock/US1/Lend Lease)

Subject:  RC:  Fw: was CTR: slipping saddle now muscle loss




I, too, am experiencing this problem of diminished fat in the saddle area
replaced by muscle and less than perfect saddle fit. My saddle now slides
back into the spaces on either side of the wither that were previously
"fat".  My horse does not exhibit a hay belly so I am assuming that he is
carrying himself correctly.  I had not used a breast collar previous but am
now entertaining the thoughts of doing so.  My question is........if the
saddle is causing pressure bumps on either side of the withers, will a
breast collar do the trick or just mask the problem??  I use a thick,
synthetic pad and am wondering if I should invest in a Toklat woolback with
inserts to try to make up for the change in the back concerning the saddle
fit.  Unfortunately, I cannot afford a new saddle at this time.  I am also a
heavyweight rider, weighing in at 190# without tack.  My horse is a 15.2H,
larger boned arab-type.  Any help would be appreciated!
Kelly from SW PA
-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Nimmo <nimmohl@worldnet.att.net>
To: Betty <xamier@earthlink.net>; trailriding@cwa.com <trailriding@cwa.com>
Date: Monday, July 31, 2000 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: was CTR: slipping saddle now muscle loss


>My take on the problem is that the horse lost some fat in the area rather
>than muscle.  This is why a lot of horses get a more defined withers when
>they become more fit.  I tend to think the saddle is too wide for the horse
>and this causes it to ride up on down- hills.  Britchin' might work, so
>might a crupper, but get the saddle fit checked as it may be down on his
>spine after the loss of fat.
>
>Liz in MO
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Betty <xamier@earthlink.net>
>To: trailriding@cwa.com <trailriding@cwa.com>
>Date: Monday, July 31, 2000 6:40 AM
>Subject: : was CTR: slipping saddle now muscle loss
>
>
>><<<<<My experience has been that
>>the more you ride, the more fat is lost in the wither and saddle area and
>>the withers will become even more prominent. >>>>
>>
>>If I am reading this right, I have to disagree. Only horses that are
ridden
>>poorly, hollow and disengaged, loose muscle in the saddle area from being
>>ridden. When a horse relaxes his back and tightens hid abdomen he builds
>>muscle on his back and when a horse is ridden poorly, he locks his back
and
>>this causes muscle wastage, not loss of fat. I would also be really
>>concerned if I sent a horse to a trainer and got him back with a hay belly
>>and loss of muscle in the wither area. I realize that horses do build up
>the
>>wither with correct riding, but the hay belly, wither combination sounds
>>like bad saddle fit and or really poor riding to me.
>>Betty
>>xamier@earthlink.net
>>Citronelle, Alabama
>>USA
>>
>
>


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