Gaited Horse Saddle Fitting and Equitation
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- Опубліковано 12 лис 2014
- Gaited horses require an unusual degree of freedom of movement from front-to-back. This presents a variety of challenges when fitting a gaited horse. Brenda Imus discusses gaited horse conformation, different types of saddle trees, and how equitation affects your horse's movement. Discusses features of the Imus 4-Beat ® Saddle. Visit us at phoenixrisingsaddles.com for more free natural gait training info and to learn more about our full line of Imus products!
All of my riding life, since I was seven years old, I have felt more comfortable riding bareback. I tried sitting the "proper" way and every kind of saddle but it has always been a struggle to be comfortable; a struggle not to lose my stirrups; to maintain a correct posture to be safe while training a horse or riding a green horse on the trail. I thought there was something wrong with me, that I wasn't a good rider because I could ride better bareback than with a saddle. Hurray for "Liberty Equitation"! I have a photo of me riding my horse, bareback with a piece of baling twine around his nose, and my posture is just like Amanda's. It's a beautiful photo, but I was always slightly embarrassed because of "incorrect" posture. Now I know it is indeed the proper way. Thank you!
Another breathe of fresh air watching and listening to your saddle options. That flexible saddle is worth a $1,000,000. to having a happy horse, with hardly any pain. I've always used a nice, light, flexible Dressage Saddle on any horse I've owned. Once again, I'm very impressed at your knowledge and love for the horses comfort. Great job. It's a shame that every horse owner doesn't have a clue when it comes to the horses comfort and all restrictions eliminated. 5 Star Video again.....Thanks Joseph
Hy bro i am an exporter of horse saddle if you want from me plzz tell me
I love this saddle you have designed. I trained my horse, a filly named Carley, and we loved riding together. She loved to please me and enjoyed every minute of training her, and we were successful, she was a shear pleasure to ride, moving very smoothly having a beautiful way of going. We enjoyed going out riding for hours. She was a natural at gaiting. I had a beautiful western saddle, but found I rarely used it. I and my horse Carley preferred bare back riding. She seemed happiest and I found I rode my best while bare back. It is true, we bare back riders ride high toward the whithers. I did it feeling we were both most comfortable. She had more freedom of movement and it was so much easier to move perfectly with her movements. I used to wonder if it was wrong that I was up higher than I would be in the saddle. But I felt it suited us perfectly; so I continued. I miss her terribly now, and I can't ride having broke my back, with spine damage. But I enjoy your videos and must say I am so happy you have designed a much more naturally positioned saddle that helps both rider and horse. Praise God! I will definitely recommend your saddle. God bless you!
This video was very helpful. Thank you. After doing lots of research, I bought a gaited flex tree saddle........for my mule. I just wish your camera angle would have been more from the front for doing up the 3 point rigging. Good stuff. 👍
I'm glad you found it helpful! :) I'm sorry about the video of the rigging. You can check out the step-by-step directions along with the photos at our website here: gaitedhorsesaddles.com/pages/special-three-point-rigging
Thanks so much!
I have to compliment you on this video and the others I've viewed (so far) in your series. It has taught me more about my TWH than all the video's I've viewed so far to learn more about getting my mare to gait properly; very clear and easy to understand. I always knew that a proper saddle fit was important for any horse, but never knew anything about proper fit for a gaited horse. Thank you. Great work! Can't wait to get back to the barn.
Glen Murphy
Nova Scotia, Canada
I wish every horse owner had this knowledge about saddles and horses head restrictions. All of the horses would be happy and out of pain. Comfortable saddle and bit, Happy Horse.
I would like to see how you rigged the offside rings-the right side. Tucker saddles also have these ring options.
A severe shanked bit is going to create a hollow back anyway. Better to get the hindquarters engaged and work on the topline first.
While I agree that a severe shanked bit is going to create a hollow back (they totally do!), the bit used in this video is not severe at all. A common misconception is that just because a bit has shanks, it doesn't make it severe. Alternately, a snaffle bit without shanks is not necessarily more gentle. It's important to take a look at the mechanics of the entire bit to determine if a bit would be considered severe or not. Things like proportions of upper to lower shank, tongue relief, if there is potential to pinch, etc. all play into analyzing a bit. Below is a link to a video that Brenda did where she demonstrates the mechanics and functions of different types of bits that you might find interesting. She goes into depth about this very topic. Wishing you many happy and smooth trails :) gaitedhorsesaddles.com/pages/bitting-the-gaited-and-non-gaited-horse-explanation-of-how-many-common-horse-bits-function
Any dressage models?
No, I'm sorry we don't have a design for English or dressage models. We have an endurance version that has English leathers and a rounded pommel. You can see all the different 4-Beat options in our gallery here: phoenixrisingsaddles.com/shop/product/141-build-your-imus-4-beat-gaited-saddle-only-2-3-weeks-estimated-shipping
Good video...but when you are cinching up the horse the girl in the blue shirt is in the way????
Ahhh, yes. That always annoyed me but it wasn't pointed out to Brenda until after the DVD was released. We are going to get a new video of just someone cinching up slowly to show how it works. We have step-by-step instructions at the link below if you'd like to have a good visual. It's very easy, but definitely helps to have a little direction at first. phoenixrisingsaddles.com/product-information/imus-4-beat-saddle-info/special-three-point-rigging
Hmm how do treeless saddles do with gaited horses? Just wondering
Good question
Depends on how much mileage you do.
how would you fit a saddle for a severely shark finned withered horse? my western saddle fits him well but not right where he can move his shoulders more. i would like to use my english saddle but it sits RIGHT on his withers.
Hi there :) We approach each fitting for our 4-Beat saddle individually. What you are describing is typical among some gaited horses, what we refer to as a pronounced or A-frame topline. The pronounced spine and/or withers can also be further exacerbated by an ill-fitting saddle, as it causes the muscle to atrophy.
We've found that finding a nicely fitting English saddle is difficult because the bones of an English saddle are built upon thin panels that provide no flexibility with very little weight-distribution area--leading to pressure points. If you do a google image search for English trees you can see bare English trees and how they can create essentially a splint on the back. Also, they are generally designed to sit directly at the scapula, causing uncomfortable contact at the shoulders, impeding their movement.
Brenda wrote an article about the needs of proper fitting for gaited horses, that is very complimentary to the video that you can find here: phoenixrisingsaddles.com/gaited-horse-training/gaited-horse-training-library/87-does-your-saddle-fit-your-horse
I hope this helps!
well he is old so that dose not help lol! ill stick with our western then since it seams to fit him very well.
That's probably best. I know that type of topline is not comfortable to ride bareback! LOL If you find there is some bridging, lack of contact with the saddle tree, you can try shimming to fill in those areas.
Whatever fits the horse is the right saddle, no matter what breed. This is all marketing ploys, also you would not out a girth right behind the elbow on ANY horse, So horses going over jumps don't rotate their shoulders? Big time!
We can't imagine anyone watching this video and calling it a marketing ploy. Brenda spends a lot of time explaining and demonstrating her philosophies about riding gaited horses and their needs and then explaining how she designed her saddle around her philosophy. Our tack is designed to be comfortable for the horse and allow complete freedom of movement. This is important for any horse, gaited or non, and we have many happy non-gaited horses and their riders who use our tack :)
Just thought I might say,a gaited horse does not have to have a bit in their they can go bitless.
I always used a gentle smooth snaffle bit. You are correct about not needing a bit, but, most people don't know their own animals from a space ship. I've ridden my Stud horse everywhere with a bit or a halter. I had a tremendous amount of trust in my horse and he in me. But, I wouldn't recommend riding a horse without a bit unless it's your own and in a safe place in which to do so.
Too far on the horses neck strain painful experience
He needs protein workout