1. A well developed back
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Does your horse look like this?
This is an example of a well developed back, an 8 year old
eventer who has only ever worn a Solution Saddle. |
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2. Stripped down tree
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What causes the problems?
This stripped down tree shows the tree points with the stirrup
bar attached. |
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3. Dissection of equine back
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The scapula and surrounding musculature is vulnerable
to injury. |
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4. Lateral branches of the tree
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The Lateral branches of the tree can cause damage
to the stabilising structures of the back. |
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5. Saddletree twisting
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A treed saddle twists across his back as the horse
turns. |
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The saddle in turn pushes the rider out. |
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6. Posture - good and bad
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Horse A
Demonstrates posture that makes weight easier |
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Horse B
Demonstrates the upside-down posture tupical of back pain
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7. Back flexion and extension
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Demonstration of back flexion... |
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...and extension. |
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8. Animal Health Trust
Used by leading vets and
therapists.
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A referral case from The Animal
Health Trust
BEFORE
- Showing typical signs of back damage: dipped spine, weak
topline and hindquarters, muscle wastage.
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AFTER
Rehabilitation for 18 months in The
Solution Saddle
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9. Dr Sue Dyson
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"It has been my experience that some
horses with back pain benefit tremendously by the use of The
Solution treeless saddle."
Dr. Sue Dyson MA VetMB DEO PhD FRCVS
at the Animal Health Trust
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10. Muscle Wastage
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Saddle damage causing severe muscle wastage - the saddle shape
is imprinted into the back.
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11. Saddle galls
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Saddle galling caused by twisting of a
treed saddle. |
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12. Saddle damaged back
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A badly damaged back: inflamation, rubs,
pressure atrophy. |
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13. Girth galls
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Girth galls are caused by the twisting
of the tree. |
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14. Soft tissue tears
| Movemement of the tree... |
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...leads to overtightening the girth |
...and tears in the soft tissue |
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15. Asymmetrical back
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Badly fitting saddles can lead to unlevel
development. |
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16. Lordosis
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Dipping of the back can be casued by carrying
excessive weight with poor posture. |
The saddle shape is then imprinted into
the back. |
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17. Extreme conformation
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Extremes of confirmation can be fitted
comfortably with a Solution
Saddle. |
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18. Safety
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The soft and flesible Solution
Saddle caused no damage to the horse
after this fall. |
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19. TB - Before and after
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BEFORE
A thoroughbred shows the effect on posture when the shoulder
movement is blocked by tree points.
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AFTER
In a Solution
Saddle - Balance, stide length, engagement
all transformed.
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20. WB - Before and after
BEFORE... |
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...AND AFTER. Willing and calm in The
Solution Saddle.
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21. Pony - Before and after
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Before... |
...and after in The
Solution. |
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22. Examples of tree damage
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White hairs casued by tree
point pressure. |
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Razor backs casused by muscle
atrophy under the tree. |
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Fibrous swellings caused by
tree torque. |
Below: Torque Marks in the saddle waist region, skin necrosis
under lateral branch and friction rubs at the rear. |
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23. Measuring muscle atrophy and regeneration
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Taking a template of the tree point with a Flexicurve
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Asymmetry is easily identified |
Measurements are recorded on graph paper
for accurate comparison. |
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24. Fitting to any size
The
Solution treeless saddle can be fitted
comfortably to any shape or size. It works with a small or
short backed horse by flexing with the back movement, avoiding
pressure points at the rear or bridging. |
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This is Mac, a 16.2hh cob type. Definitely a weight
carrier and WIDE.
His owner has ordered a Solution
saddle for him today, as she was so delighted
with his improved way of going.
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This is Sean (Cairnfield Golden Eye) a 12.2hh show pony
with bags of presence and extravagant paces.
He has always been ridden in a treeless saddle. His owner
and breeder is so delighted with the way Sean moves he is
now buying a treeless saddle to use on all his ponies.
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Two very different types in the same saddle.
But a different girth!! |
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25. Fitting to any shape
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The
Solution treeless saddle can be
fitted comfortably to any shape. |
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The
Solution works well with sway backs
and other acquired or congenital deformities. |
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26. Case Study 1 - SF x TB
11 year old Selle Francais / TB gelding. Competes
in dressage and show jumping at local affiliated level. For
last 2 years, has used 2 saddles, a dressage and a event,
which were fitted by a SMS qualified fitter.
The rider has always been unhappy with them, although the
horse has been fairly stoical in coping with the problems.
Both models have slipped to the right and the forward cut
jumping saddle sat heavily on the shoulder. The horse’s
back was always sore and was regularly treated by a physiotherapist
and a chiropractor for consistent lumber muscle spasms, which
were particularly painful on the left side.
Alternative saddle fitters were consulted – one said
that neither saddle fitted, while the other’s opinion
was that only the dressage saddle fitted.
Faced with such conflicting advice, the rider investigated
alternatives and trialled a Solution
treeless saddle.
The horse was first assessed in the treed saddle:
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There was an extreme movement
of the saddle to the right,
which was unusually also very noticeable when turning right. |
The horse was reluctant to turn left,
braced his neck and back, moving in a stiff, unbalanced and
resistent way. |
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The horse was then fitted with a Solution
Treeless Saddle.
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The horse quickly relaxed
and started to stretch. |
He soon became confident
to take a contact and started
to swing through his back. |
Finally, moving with power
and expression. |
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27. Case Study 2 - Highland
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Highland ponies are usually considered to be
tough, strong, durable and up to weight.
This chunky chap looks fairly well built from a distance…
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… But get a bit closer and you can see the fat pad
behind the saddle and the signs of pressure damage in the
darkened hair patch at the rear of the saddle. |
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The left side of the back has dropped away leaving the
spine prominent. |
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Viewed from above, the asymmetry is very obvious.
What is particularly shocking is that this Highland shows
a marked pain response to palpation in the damaged areas,
but is only 6 years old, has been in light work for a year
and is ridden by a lightweight girl.
He has only over been ridden in a treed saddle.
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28. Inferior "treeless" saddle
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A cheap "treeless" saddle brought
on eBay. |
Inside - a death trap. |
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29. Bob Marshall treeless
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