Every time you are tacking up, do a quick 5-Point check to make sure your ride will be successful. Meaning, you and your horse are comfortable and are able to perform your best. As a rider, I have noticed times when were aren’t doing well, either I lose my balance, my weight shifts or Magic isn’t moving out well at all, or his bend is sticky, dropping his shoulder, etc. I’ll think he’s bored with the ring and take him for a “big” trot around the property or on a short trail ride, but that really doesn’t change how he travels or my position when we go back to the ring. I’ll do a bunch of bending exercises at the walk, do some rails, up and down transitions, etc. Still nothing.
Then I check my saddle. 8 times out of 10, it is in the wrong place or I notice I am close to his spine. He has KS so I am very cautious of anything touching his spinal area. This summer alone, I have added flocking in the midsection and back, I have changed his gullet bar(GFS Mono flap Dressage), and started being picky where I put the saddle and check before I mount.
What should you look for? Here are 5 points I came up with based on my experiences. and you can do between professional fittings.
Placement — side-view horse with saddle, showing the scapula and D-ring/tree-point relationship.
Wither & Spine Clearance — front/rear saddle view showing clearance around the withers and through the channel, without prescribing a universal finger number.
Freedom of the Shoulder — hand sliding beneath the front of the saddle, with an arrow showing the path you’re checking.
Panel Contact — hand beneath the panel, showing that you’re feeling for even, consistent contact rather than pressure points or gaps.
Balance — side view of a properly balanced saddle, with a simple horizontal reference and the deepest portion of the seat identified. Click on the image to download.
