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EQUI-Mapping Saddle Fitting

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Pressure Mapping and Re-Fitting

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SADDLE EVALUATION PROCESS:

After evaluating the horse, rider, tack, we begin the dynamic (moving and ridden) and static (still) pressure mapping process. We place the articulated and shaped FSA sensored pad on the bare back of the horse, then the riders saddle pad, saddle, and rider. The rider wears a snug pack which contains the "interface module", the brains of the FSA system. By Blue Tooth technology, our softwear reads what the sensor pad is telling us with a color coded impression of the tree against the back as we see it live. We can also add a cam-recorded visual. Both can be viewed on the screen at the same time.

By being able to actually see the changes in the rider posture, the terrain, the gait changes, the pressure mapping results help us to understand more about what is the cause and affect against the horses back. Sometimes as small as a shoulder back can greatly improve fit readings! We can also better undertand if what we are seeing is the saddle, the horse, the rider, or all of them working together.

We use the riders saddle pads in an effort to achieve what our readings indicate that horse needs. For example, if a saddle is showing a lack of contact in the middle, called bridging, we will work toward that problem by perhaps a thinner pad that allows the saddle to "sit down" on the horse and the tree making contact in more areas, a much more comfortable situation for the horse. Often we are able to have success using the riders collection of equipment. We also take into consideration the fitness of the horse, and the planned use of the horse when evaluating the needs. It is a very athletic exam in that the rider and horse may need to tack, ride, untack, tack, ride many times as we make our way through options for better fit.

When working on saddles that cannot be reflocked, and if we have exhusted your own saddle pads, we employ the use of the SKITO Equalizer pad. Skito pads are built with their patented open top which allows us to get at the entire inside pocket of the pad on both sides with no seams or dividers. As we continue to scan, we can add or subtract carefully designed SKITO foam "shims" that are designed to fill in the "voids" or places under that saddle that are not making contact and causing high concentrations of pressure in other areas. Again, think of shimming a saddle pad as building an orthodic for the horses back! Instead of needing a new saddle, perhaps you may only need a pad and shims!

We also can send our pressure mapping scans to saddle reflockers if your saddle is of the soft flocked panel type, and the saddle rebuilder is familiar with translating the scans.

Occasionally we have a saddle that we simply cannot help, for example a saddle that is too narrow or has not enough spinal clearance. We also have problems helping saddles with gullets that are too narrow, or trees that have too much rock for a straight topline horse, resulting in sitting on the spinal processes. Concussion to the spine can be very painful and crippling to a horse, and often leads to many long term problems.

Bear in mind that if we build a shimmed SKITO pad, it is custom to that horse with that saddle. You can also have the same procedure done for a second horse, resulting in the need for perhaps a second "pair" of shims for the same pad. So rather than buy a new saddle, perhaps we can achieve a much better fit through our saddle pad shim system.

As your horse changes, so will his conformation, therefore we suggest a follow up appointment at least once a year or more often depending on the amount of riding you do, and the age of the horse. Many horses builds will change when they are finally riding out of pain!

See SKITO Equalizer Pads on our website.

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