I can attest to the fact that saddle fit - even when you
are assured that it fits - can drive some horses to distraction under
stress. In NATRC Region 6 I have been, for the past 2 years, the talk of
camp as my Open (National Champion) horse has put me on the ground a ton of
times. Nearly always when I lift into a light 2-point position.
BOOM!! No warning what-so-ever, ducks her head at an extended trot and
pops that hind end into the sky. I often go head over heels (somersault
style) past the right shoulder and meet the ground. As a rider, this is
disturbing. As a trainer, this has been very perplexing. I
have addressed it in a variety of fashions: from lunging in the morning,
to true bucking training and everything in-between. I have NEVER had an
issue with a sore back or loins at a competition. I have had a Chiro
assessment, and NOTHING!!! Her mouth is cared for by an Equine Dentist and
wears evenly, with no hooks or points. No TMJ. I use a mild comfort
snaffle from Myler, no draw reins or martingale, etc. In other words,
except for spinal x-rays or MRI, I addressed every possible problem.
Still, a bucking response was her MO. GRRR!
I recently decided to begin offering Lewis Impression
Pad saddle fitting to my repertoire of services to clients. So, of course,
used my mare as my first trial. The Impression Pad indicated some pressure
on either side of the withers and in the right loin. Hmmm......Decided to
try a different saddle. Much better fit via the Impression Pad. Made
a couple of light adjustments with thin shims in a Skito Pad.
Hmmm.......looked good. Tried the different saddle in competition.
At the first ride I received one feeble crow hop early in the game at the
beginning of a steep, steep uphill at a very fast trot. Was she expecting
pain and just thought, in advance, that "this was going to hurt"? Don't
know, but had no bucking through the remainder of the day. Next ride,
NOTHING, next ride NOTHING. NOW, it is important to note, that at the ride
before doing the Impression Pad testing, my mare had bucked all the way down a
very steep and rocky hill, scary stuff, needless to say. So, to have her
behave PERFECTLY from that point forward, was a relief as a rider and a
trainer. Moving her into a canter was always dicey as she often bucked
then, too. At the AHA Nationals we moved at a 7-8 mph average pace, did a
ton of cantering and she never once showed any of the inappropriate
behaviors.
So, if you have done everything in your power to assess
for pain or discomfort, look very closely at your saddle fit. The
"typical" assessments we do to ascertain if a saddle "fits" may not be
enough. You might find out, using the Impression Pad, that when moving,
your guy is receiving pressure that he considers intolerable and when he is
excited or upset, the discomfort presents itself with a bucking
response.
Good Luck! If you want to locate someone who does
Impression Pad work contact Debbie at the Port Lewis Workshop at http://www.rocler.qc.ca/portlewis/
