ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Balanced/Centered Ride Endurance Saddles

Re: Balanced/Centered Ride Endurance Saddles

ChacoL@aol.com
Wed, 16 Jul 1997 15:08:40 -0400 (EDT)

In a message dated 97-07-15 21:18:39 EDT, you write:

<< With the talk recently about saddles, I was wondering which
saddles allow the rider to assume a balanced/centered position
(due to fender/stirrup placement, etc) as opposed to some
that will make it harder for the rider to assume a balanced/
centered position. I've noticed some good articles in AERC
and Trail Rider on balanced/centered riding and was
just wondering how the saddle plays into that. >>

Here are some comments on this subject from Jenny, the saddle
fitter/restuffer in Colorado:

In order to be balanced over your horse you need your legs under you at all
times. Whether sitting or in two-point you should always feel that if
suddenly your horse disappeared from under you, you would land on your feet.
This allows you the maximum use of your legs as an aid, and the freedom to
use your hands for communication, not for holding on. Not to mention that it
helps you keep the horse between you and the ground at all times, a worthy
goal!
This position can be almost impossible if you are fighting the saddle to get
there. So what do you look for in a saddle to help? Two things: balance,
and stirrup placement.
Balance: When the saddle is on your horse's back, the lowest point of the
seat must be in the middle, not further back. If it's not in the middle,
there could be a few reasons. It might be too far forward. (Make sure the
saddle clears your horse's shoulder and allows him to rotate it back). If
it's an english saddle, it might need re-flocking. The flocking in back may
have packed down too far. The tree may be too narrow, causing the front to
be too high, and the back too low. It may just be the wrong shaped saddle
for your horse. Or, finally, it might be a lousy design, as seen in really
cheap saddles.
Stirrup placement: The stirrups must be placed in a way that you don't have
to fight to keep your leg under you. Often just balancing the saddle will
help (see above). Let the stirrups hang down and see where they hang. They
should be in the middle of the flap, not hanging at an angle off the back.
In a very forward cut jumping saddle, they might be a little off the flap.
Now get on, and without your stirrups, assume a position with a straight,
vertical line through your shoulder, hip and heel. (If this feels difficult,
you may have gotten used to an un-balanced saddle). Now pick up your
stirrups and assume the same position. Is it easy? Or are you fighting and
pulling the stirrups back? When you get them to this position, are they at
an angle, or still hanging straight down?
You should do these tests on any saddle you are considering buying, and
you'll make it much easier to keep a basic, balanced position without a
struggle. There are enough other things to worry about!

Chotzi@aol.com

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End of ridecamp-d Digest V97 Issue #447
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