>>>> I wouldn't think a high level dressage horse would perform well if they hurt. That is why I will have a very good saddlefitter who doesn't sell saddles tell me if it does or not.
Yes, I think a sore back will affect the performance of any horse. But, sometimes it has amazed me how much some horses will just "put up and shut up" about saddles, or any kind of discomfort for that matter. Sometimes (I'm thinking about Skjoni as the FnE saddle got too tight) you have to look for the improvement, rather than the bad behavior. >>>> Those that use treeless exclusively, do you have your horses checked for back problems regularly, or do most of you have the experience to tell if something is wrong. I'm not an expert on backs by any means but I guess I've been "lucky" enough (if you could call it luck) to have a few horses with back issues not caused by saddle fit - and a couple of incidents caused by poor saddle fit. I was able to learn a little something from the saddle fitters, the chiropractor, the accupressurist, the vets, to be able to check for obvious back pain, but once I see any symptoms, I call an expert. Normally, I guess I look for other symptoms of general unhappiness or discomfort - jigging or rushing on the trail, not wanting the saddle put on their back or the girth tightened, not moving out under saddle with a relaxed attitude, a high head carriage....there are lots of symptoms they can use to try to tell us something isn't right. Of course, these symptoms can mean lots of things, but if I see something wrong, I start checking to see what it is. I do have resources to call if I see any of the warning signs - my favorite for their straightforward and accurate opinions are the accupressurist, and one of the saddle-fitters. Karen Thomas, NC -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.24/668 - Release Date: 2/4/2007 1:30 AM
