Saddle Fitting Confusion: Signs that are misleading
Listed below are some of the more common issues in ridden horses where there is often a misdiagnosis involving the saddle. Either the saddle may be blamed when something entirely unrelated is the culprit, or the saddle may be ignored when it is, after all, the real source of the problem. Many skilled professionals make mistakes when the following situations exist, so if your horse has any of these issues, take it upon yourself to consider both the saddle and also organic causes as the source of the problem
Read More
EQ TWO-WEEK TEST RIDE DIARY
Jessica Young and her 2013 Dutch Harness Horse “Iceman” were so blown away by the flapless experience, she sent us reports every few days!
Jessica bought Iceman as a 2-year-old from a small Amish breeding farm, and has trained him herself. She says, “He has taken quite a long time to mature both physically, as he’s 17.2, and mentally”. , and has been with Jessica since he was 2. Now that he’s 7, she’s looking forward to starting to show him in dressage.
Read More
TECH IN TRAINING - USING GOPRO AS A TRAINING TOOL BY ANNE HOWARD
EQ Ambassador Anne Howard, the respected Owner/Trainer of American Sporthorse, USDF Gold Medalist, and “R” Judge, will take us through using technology to make classical riding concepts clearer between instructor and student. In this blog series, she shares her Tech in Training Techniques. The EQ Community Spotlight Series highlights our community members and their perspectives on the many aspects of life with horses.
Read More
The Story Behind the EQ Cover Models
When it came time to launch the EQ Saddle Science brand at the end of 2017, we were nearly ready to go! We had tested our saddles for two full years, trademarked our name, patented our saddle, designed our logo and chosen the unforgettable colors, but we were missing a “hero” image to anchor the launch. When we saw this photo of Kerri Coufal on the Kundrun’s Bon Ami, we loved it! The flowing softness of the horse, and the rider showing such intensity on her face but none at all in her body embodies the sport of dressage, when it’s at it’s best. I still love this photo, every time I see it.
Read More
SPINALIS, AN IMPORTANT MUSCLE TO CONSIDER IN SADDLE FITTING
It’s Science Friday! Saddle-related damage is extremely common in the area at the base of the wither, because saddles that are too narrow OR too wide are likely to cause problems here. This article showcases the issues to the Spinalis; other muscles in the vicinity that can be affected include the trapezius, and possibly the thoracic portion of the rhomboid muscle.
Read More
HOW OFTEN DO YOU REALLY LOOK AT YOUR HORSE'S FEET?
ow often do you really look at your horse's feet? Did you know that uneven front heels will cause uneven shoulders, which will very often result in a saddle fitting issue? In celebration of National Farrier's Week, we've invited noted Rehabilitation, Hoof Care, and Equine Bodywork Practitioner Ann Ramsey to weigh in on the critical relationship between hooves and shoulders.
Read More
Thanksgiving 2019: Time of Reflection
We measure ourselves in terms of the horses we help. As I pause today in gratitude, I reflect on the very best part: coming to work with like-minded people, whether they are my friends, mentors, customers, co-workers or colleagues. In fact, most of them blur these lines and distinctions. All are innovative thinkers, passionate believers in the welfare of horses. Each of us touch each other in profound ways, and I am profoundly thankful for my worldwide equine community.
Read More
The Horse Piece and the Rider Piece: A Commentary on Coaches Sandy Howard, Mary Wanless and Charlotte Dujardin
I was fortunate when I found Sandy Howard and more so when she took me on as a student in 2003 for a few lessons on a borrowed horse. A few years later I proudly and timidly showed up at Sandy’s American Sport Horse in Watsonville, CA. I unloaded Carol Babington’s Iditarod (“Ditto”), a 14-year-old confirmed FEI dressage horse wearing the jumping saddle I still favored. Sandy accepted us (though said archly, "surely you, of all people, could find a dressage saddle?"). Thus began a journey down a path I still follow.
Read More
DR. HILARY CLAYTON’S STUDY SHOWS INCREASED RIDER STABILITY WITH FLAPLESS SADDLE
Dressage hotbed Wellington, Florida was chosen as the site to study the revolutionary flapless saddle by EQ Saddle Science. The depth of talent available at the Winter Equestrian Festival made it the ideal location to assemble an international research team, led by the world-renowned Dr. Hilary Clayton.
Read More
