<< My husband has an Orthoflex saddle (Western type - not endurance), he
likes it very much. Mike Tomlinson, DVM notes some rubbing on the endurance
horses though... as they build up more muscle (?)... that he attributes to
the
design of the Orthoflexs. I just heard that Orthoflex is trimming the tree
back even more (didn't they already do that once for Arabs), but don't know
if that's true or if its just for their endurance models. Anybody out there
heard more on this? Mike - anything you want to add? >>
Melody,
Since I have been named specifically I think I better quit lurking on this
one.
Just as not every horse is right for every rider, not every saddle is right
for every horse. As horses gain and lose weight and/or muscle, the best
fitting saddle will also necessarily be different. Orthoflex is the best
saddle for some riders on some horses. On your horse, although your
Orthoflex fit him well in the past, it no longer does so.
At the last two rides I attended (one I vetted, one I rode), I was pleased to
see a dramatic change in a horse that was not doing well at the first ride.
By the end of the ride the horse was tired and appeared leg weary. I
advised that the saddle did not fit well. The next ride she had a different
saddle and the horse went on to finish Best Conditioned!
The fit of the saddle is extremely important for endurance riders. Most
other sports can get away with poorly fitting saddles and never affect the
performance; endurance cannot. Just as important, the saddle which is
perfect at the first ride of the season will not remain best throughout the
season as the horse's physique changes.
Just my 2c. Individual responses direct encouraged.
Sincerely,
Mike
C. Mike Tomlinson, DVM
CMikeT@AOL.com
Yucaipa, So Calif