I hope I’ve sorted the saddle now…at least for a year or two. I had been trying out a friend’s Free ‘n’ Easy saddle (Endurace Special model) and I decided to buy it after the saddle fitter came and fitted it perfectly to us.
The saddle fitter was very good I thought. She spent quite a lot of time on looking at Shah’s shape and evalute how he moves. She then fitted the saddle, which in this case involves an allen key and a screwdriver, and the webbers and looked at him moving without me on before I then got on and rode for about 20-30 minutes, making some more small adjustments before we were happy with it.
It’s a good saddle I think. Shah is happy with it and I’m reasonably comfy. I can’t say it’s the comfiest thing I’ve ever sat in but it’s comfy enough to be good for longer rides.
So now it’s back to getting fit again…
We’ve had an osteopath round to see Shah today. After all the hassle with the saddles I decided that I might as well get somene in to check over his back properly before I start putting miles on him while training for endurance.
Osteopathy is interesting. They look at muscles and the whole picture of the horse rather than just sceletal problems. They try to find blockages and then clear them to enable good flow throughout the body. Our local osteopath, Charlie Arnold, came recommended by two people I know and trust so I decided to give it a try. Shah has always been very one sided and after the Bowen treatment he had last weekend we also discovered that he’s muscles are much tighter on one side than the other.
The osteopath first had a look at him moving in walk and trot, with me running like a loony next to him as he had decided today was the day he wanted to show off all his glorious old Arab stallion behaviour… Anyway, she confirmed that he’s very tight between the shoulders, especially around the left shoulder and doesn’t stretch his right hindleg as well as he should. This corresponds exactly to what the Bowen therapist said and what I’ve thought all along.
She then went on to work on stretching and gentle manipulations. I really liked the way she worked with Shah, taking his sensitivity as an Arab into consideration all the time and adjusting her way of working with him. She worked the whole of his spine from top to tail. He was apparently a little twisted just behind the saddle and that’s now been corrected. He was also very tight on his neck and the poll in particular. If this had been a year ago Shah would not have let her work on his head and neck (he was very head shy for quite a few years after being rescued) but he relaxed and stretched out very well and I was very pleased. Apparently there were a few pops and adjustments, which means that he should now be able to stretch out better when riding and lift his back more.
Towards the end he was letting us know when the time was up. Arabs in particular are such intelligent creatures and Charlie said that most Arabs that she works with will tell her when to stop, as long as you listen to them. He held his head very low, obviously enjoying the feeling of release in his muscles. She said he might feel light headed so it was straight into his box for some rest and food. Her recommendation was that I don’t ride tomorrow and then start slowly for a few days before getting into the normal fittening schedule.
So, no major problems – I’m so pleased! He should only need one more treatment in about two weeks time and then a check up after about 6 months or so to make sure it’s all still ok. If it helps towards getting rid of at least some of his muscle tightness I will be very happy!
Next step: saddle fitter is coming to check the fit and adjust the saddle I’m currently trying out, a free ‘n’ easy saddle. First time I put it on Shah he went absolutely beautifully without one complaint. Yippee I thought, I’ve finally found a good saddle. Second day I put it on him he refused to even trot and I think the fit is not perfect. But as the saddle can be adjusted I’m hoping the fitter can find where it’s pinching and sort it out. I want my beautifully moving boy back!!!
