March 2026
I hope this enewsletter finds you and yours doing well. God has been good to me. I feel good, I am riding, giving lessons and working on saddles. All the things I love to do.
About a month ago, I took Rippy on a little field trip to ride at Roane State. They are so awesome letting people come ride in the covered arena during the week when no shows are going on. It was his first outing to ride without having a “steady eddie” along for comfort.
As Rippy processed the big arena with all the scarey stuff going on. I just kept thinking what I was taught long ago. “A horse that spooks is simply not listening.” So, I made sure that I gave him directions every few seconds I said pay attention to me and what I am asking. Barbara Schulte saying to focus on “what is my job?”
It made me think that is kinda what I am doing with the cancer diagnosis. I am focusing on my job, taking care of me and healing. Part of that plan is Baley doing most of the traveling appointments and I am doing appointments here at home and some close by. I am grateful that she is willing and more than able.
Rippy has been on a few more field trips since then and we have lots more planned.
East Fork Stables March 2026
The other day someone mentioned to me about a horse with kissing spines. They told me what kind of saddle they had (not one of ours) so I looked it up. The information on their website said it had a 7cm channel. I haven't seen the horse so I don't know if this is what caused the kissing spines but it made me think of this little video that I made quick to show someone how to find the width of their horse's supraspinatus ligament.
In the video, I am scratching Doc's back with my finger nails to show that it doesn't bother him at all until I get to the ligament. When I hit the ligament with my finger nail he dips his back. Then I put my hand in between the edges of the ligaments to show how wide his ligament is. There are also reflex points along side of the ligament that will cause the horse to dip his back involuntarily.
My 5 fingers measure about 10cm. He needs an extra wide channel to protect his ligament. If he had a saddle with a 7cm channel it would be putting pressure on the ligament and/or those reflex points every time he is ridden. He would be anxious, jiggy, head up, hollow back and spooky. Basically, he would be a jerk. How sad would it be to punish a horse or run him around a round pen until he submits over something he has absolutely no control over? Long term damage of pressure on the ligament could be kissing spines, muscle atrophy and even lameness.
In the picture above, the little vertical bones surrounded by red are dorsal spinal processes. The longerst ones are commonly known as the withers. The ligaments (shown in red and pink) are going in between and on top of the processes. It is easy to see how when the horse's back dips away from the finger nails his processes can touch. They are very close together. Kissing spines is processes touching repeatedly. That it is why it is so important that the saddle doesn't put any pressure on the ligaments or the reflex points along side the ligaments causing that dipping reflex.
Signs of a horse suffering from kissing spines:
- Dragging toes
- Girthy
- Bucking
- Trouble gaiting
- Rooting or head tossing
- Trouble going downhill
- Not standing for mounting
- Muscle atrophy
- Trouble with leads
- Hindend weakness
- Refusing jumps
- Lacks forward
If you have one of our saddles, we have measurement the width of the ligament and you are good. If you don't have one of our saddles, find your horse's ligaments and then ride without a pad to see if the saddle is putting pressure on the ligament.
This is one of the reasons why we recommend having the saddle fit checked every 6-12 months. The channel may be wide enough but if the saddle doesn't stay in the middle while you are riding, it could be rubbing the ligaments.
As always, thank you for giving me the opportunity to spread the word about proper saddle fit and how it affects our horse's behavior, performance and ultimately the health of horse and rider.
Happy Spring & God Bless!
Terry Peiper, Fit Right Saddle Solutions