Dave Kaden & Terry
March 2012
Happy Spring Everyone!
Thank you so much everybody that stopped to talk with us at the Expo. I really enjoyed meeting everyone. I only wish I would have had more time to visit with old friends. Talking about proper saddle fit continues to be my favorite thing to do after riding in saddles.
It makes me feel good knowing that so many of you care enough to learn more about proper saddle fit. As far as I know, I have called everyone that requested an evaluation so if I missed you, I am sorry. Please call or email me if you have questions about your saddle, want to schedule a lecture or to schedule your personal saddle fit evaluation.
Many of you have asked me if I was able to help the horse with the sore on his back at the Expo. If you were there, you know exactly what I am talking about. If you didn't see it, you are lucky. I met that horse a few moments before the lecture. He had his saddle on. I was told that the saddle was too tight. They knew that. Unfortunately, I was not able to communicate to that horse's owner the need for an immediate saddle change. Sometimes, despite my efforts this is the case. So, I continue to read and study more in hopes that I can better explain the saddle support area and the negative reflex points.
This past week I was visiting Specialized Saddles and TW Saddlery in Canutillo, TX. Founders, David Kaden and his wife Tracy Webb are very successful endurance competitors. While competing in endurance races, each horse must go through sometimes as many as 4 vet checks in a day. They are not allowed to have any drugs of any kind (YEA!!!) any back soreness or hint of unsoundness, they are not allowed to continue racing. YEA!!! personally I wish other disciplines had similar rules. David & Tracy designed an endurance saddle with an adjustable system to protect their horses. The system is now also available in western and trail saddles. www.specializedsaddles.com
I have several of these saddles and Schleese saddles in stock for demonstration and we ride in them every day as well.
It is so exciting to see the difference in the horses when the saddle is not hitting the negative reflex points. I have seen lameness vanish, poor behavior vanish, huge personality changes and performance greatly improved. Just yesterday I saw a gaited horse gait and he had never done it before. Overall, I think the most important thing is knowing that we are preventing long term or permanent damage to horse and/or rider. www.saddlefit4life.com
Congratulations!! Virgil Gutshall Jr. winner of the Schleese Snaffle Bit Bridle at the PA Horse World Expo.
TREELESS SADDLES
At the Expo and during my travels this question often comes up. "What do you think about treeless saddle?" My first response is to explain the purpose of the tree.
1. The tree is designed to protect the horse's spine.
2. The tree is designed to support the rider's back.
3. The tree is designed to distribute the rider's weight.
Without a tree the weight of the rider is concentrated all in one place directly on the spine with no support for the rider. The purpose of the tree is to keep the rider's weight completely off the spine. A good fitting balanced seat on top of the tree will allow the rider to be balanced over her center and stay out of the horse's way. With proper back support, the rider will be able to utilize the natural curves and shock absorbers in her back. An unbalanced seat or one without a tree will cause the rider to lose the last curve of her back causing muscle soreness and damage to her disc. If you are only going to walk your horse for 20 minutes or less, you will probably be fine and your horse will probably recover. After 20 minutes you could be doing permanent damage.
A treeless saddle may be feel better than a saddle with a tree that doesn't fit. However, a properly fitted saddle tree is needed to prevent back soreness and long term permanent damage to horse and rider.
Note: This information comes from veterinarians and universities not from saddle salespeople. My references are Dr. Joanna Robson, DVM. Dr. Joyce Harmann, DVM. Dr. James Warson, MD. Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD.
As FIT RIGHT SADDLE SOLUTIONS seems to be taking over my life, I want you to know that we are still doing lessons and clinics mostly here at the farm due to scheduling. For more info about our lessons go to LESSONS
Buck N Horse Hollow Spring Clinic Schedule with Terry Peiper
Saturday April 7, 2012 Level 1 Clinic starts at 9am
Saturday April 21, 2012 Level 2 Clinic starts at 9am
Saturday May 19, 2012 Level 3 Clinic starts at 9am
All of these clinics still have room for more riders. We only take 6 horses to ensure plenty of individual attention. Level 1 is for the beginner rider or green horse. Level 2 is a bit more about training and Level 3 is a more geared towards polishing off and improving the already developed relationship. The riders fee is only $100 for the whole day. For more info about our clinics go to CLINICS
Favorite link of the month http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RRsKMZzNFgQ
Next time I ask what you want to work on at your lesson, you better not say I don't know.
As always, thank you for reading our e-newsletter and for all the responses. Call, text or email me and if I don't respond, please try again. I don't think cell phones and computers are always dependable. I always try to respond within 2 days. Happy riding everyone!
TTYS & God Bless
Terry