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California Riding Magazine • August, 2009 Made To Move by Jochen Schleese, Certified Master Saddler and Saddlefitter |
There are three different metal parts that come into close contact with the horse when riding: the bit, shoes and the saddle’s gullet plate. Each of these needs to be fitted properly, two of them by trained experts who have to understand equine anatomy to do their jobs properly.
Diagram A We believe that the gullet plate shape and size has to be set to accommodate the moving horse. Many saddle fitters can fit an english saddle to a horse that is standing still in the crossties. There are traditional points of reference for static fit; wither clearance, panel touching evenly all the way down, etc. Where it becomes interesting, and where it becomes difficult beyond the ability of many saddle fitters, not to mention the capability of the saddle construction itself, is fitting the saddle so that it works when the horse begins to move. The saddle sits on many different muscle groups on the horse’s back. To begin explaining the importance of gullet plate fit, we start at the front of the saddle under the pommel, where the metal gullet plate is. The gullet plate needs to align with the angle and the width of the shoulder. The shoulder moves upwards and backwards four to eight inches under the tree points during motion. The tree angle is often incorrectly fitted to the muscle angle without considering the shoulder angle. This can result in cartilage and nerve damage during this restriction of movement in the horse. The gullet plate sits over two opposing muscle groups; the top will contract (pulling the shoulder upwards and getting bigger) while the bottom expands or elongates (i.e., gets ‘thinner’) during motion. This is how the “V” becomes a “U” over the withers.
Diagram B We need two to three fingers clearance at the withers, all around the withers, not just on top. Under the front of your saddle, we find a muscle that extends all the way up into the neck, the trapezius. A tight V-shaped gullet plate results in pinched muscles, tight neck and tight back. (See Diagram B). A gullet plate that too closely follows the shape of the static wither can also cause this problem. (Diagram C).
Diagram C In A Pinch If you take your hand and pinch the horse on either side of the withers, in most horses the back will tighten and drop, and the head will come up. This is not what we want to occur when riding and this response is another reason why we want the U-shaped gullet plate fit to the moving horse, and not the static V shape. This is where the stallion bites the mare during mating to immobilize her. The same effect results from a pinching gullet plate, which some veterinarians refer to as the “vise grip” of the saddle.
Diagram D How a naked tree sits on the horse’s withers when standing is not necessarily indicative of how it actually fits when the panel and stuffing are added. Without the panel, the tree would crush the withers and the tree points would dig into the horse’s back. (Diagram D). With the panel on, the stuffing clears the horse’s withers and lifts the tree higher. It will actually protect the withers and the tree points rest in an area where the side of the withers becomes narrow—behind the shoulder. (Diagram E).
Diagram E Understanding the impact of the gullet plate on a moving horse is just one example of Schleese Saddlery Service’s dedication to protecting horses from longterm damage. Not only can our certified saddle fitters fit saddles on-site to the moving horse using innovative saddle fitting tools, but the saddles themselves have unique geometrically adjustable gullet plates.
Author Jochen Schleese is teaching dynamic saddle fit at the German National Riding School in Warendorf. Schleese Saddlery is a proud partner in the Global Network of Saddlefit 4 Life®, equine professionals dedicated to protecting horse. For more information call 800-225-2242 or visit www.saddlefit4life.com and/or www.schleese.com.
Certified Master Saddler and Saddlefitter, Jochen Schleese |
