No Sweat Saddle Fit

[Robert Ferrand <sadddle@best.com>]

        Despite this popular concept,
there is no scientific research establishing a correlation between dry
spots, tissue trauma and saddle fit. Physiologically the mean arterial
pressure in the horse is between 30 mmHg (.5 PSI) - 40mmHg (.75 PSI) and
venous return pressure is between 10mmHg (.25 PSI) - 20mmHg (.33 PSI).
The venous capillaries are several times as permeable as the arterial capillaries.
For determining fluid movement through the capillary membrane the venous
capillary pressures 10mmHg (.25 PSI) are much more important than the arterial
capillary pressures.

        Extensive interface pressure measurements of good fitting saddles have established consistent saddle pressures in excess of 50mmHg (1 PSI).  Therefore, the theory that blood flow is reduced to areas of high pressure is valid to a point, however, when applied to the problem of saddle fit we find that the saddle pressure is consistently higher than even arterial capillary closure pressure which would, cause consistent large uniform "dry spots" on good fitting saddles, if the "dry spots" theory were correct.
 
         To make the issue of "dry spots" even more confusing physiologically "dry spots" or the "absence of sweating" is also called "Anhidrosis."  Anhidrosis is the loss of the ability to sweat in response to exercise or increased temperature. Sweating is prompted under the influence of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline).  When released into the blood stream; epinephrine acts directly on the sweat glands, causing them to secrete fluid.

        Anhidrosis may be partial or complete and the onset gradual or abrupt. Thus, it is critical to understand Anhidrosis as a factor in "dry spots." The exact cause of the disorder is unknown. The most likely explanation is that prolonged or repeated exercise produces high blood levels of epinephrine. The sweat glands of some horses ultimately become desensitized to epinephrine and stop responding.  Plugging of hair follicles by dried sebum may be a contributing factor. Regardless, we know that sweating is controlled by the hormone epinephrine and not pressure.

       Sweating or the lack of sweating is not a reliable indicator of saddle fit because so many additional factors affect sweating. Therefore, a direct correlation cannot be drawn between saddle pressure and sweat distribution.
 
      For additional information please visit out new web site www.saddletech.com. Hit Information, then hit Technical and then hit Scientific Saddle Fitting and then hang on to your hat.

Date: Sun, 06 Dec 1998 20:03:02 -0500
From: "Linda S. Flemmer" <bluwolf@earthlink.net>
To: sweety@nni.com, ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: Re: saddle fit/back soreness?
Message-ID: <366B2946.C39D5714@earthlink.net>
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sweety@nni.com wrote:
>
 About two months ago I noticed
> that when I removed the saddle and pad there were two areas on either side
> towards the back of her withers where the saddle sits that did not produce
> sweat - just dry spots.  <SNIP> HOWEVER - there was not a
> hint of soreness, no hair rubbing off at all, and no hair discoloration
> (from what I can tell, she's a fleabit grey).

I agree with you - the saddle doesn't fit her any more.  You probably
have conditioned her enough that she is developing shoulder muscles,
thickening that area near her withers.  Soreness isn't always noticed
immediately.  It may take form as a subtle problem, like shortening of
stride or change in attitude, too.

Since she is a gray, it's <really> hard to see the white hairs <grin>
(We joke that folks chose Arabs for endurance because of the high number
of grays in the breed.)  You need to look at her skin in those areas.
Normal, undamaged skin is black/dark.  If there is injury to the areas
due to pressure, over time it will turn pink.  Also, lightly run your
fingers over those areas with your eyes closed.  It may feel thickened
or rough.  All signs of skin damage from the pressure.

Is it possible to arrange the stuffing on your saddle in that area to
relieve some of the pressure and switch to the thinest pad you have?  If
the fit problem is marginal, you may have some luck with this.  I HATE
looking for new saddles when I can do something simple to save the
situation.

Thick pads won't help at all.  ("Mom, my shoes are too tight"  "Well,
put on another pair of socks to pad your feet."  "Mom, now my shoes are
<really> too tight!")  Neither will gel pads, equalizer, etc.

Best of luck.  Be glad that you have a back up saddle that fits her!

Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Ranch
Bruceton Mills, WV

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