Did you know that a healthy back will increase in size during work?
A study conducted by Dr Sue Dyson, Dr Rachael Murray and Line Greve at the Animal Health Trust, presented at the Saddle Research Trust International Conference 2014, has confirmed that horses’ back dimensions do increase with exercise, illustrating that it is not only important that a horse’s saddle fits before work, but also during work. The greatest changes in back dimension during exercise were seen in both sound horses and those ridden in a well fitting saddle, suggesting that it is a healthy back which increases in size during work.
“The back-shape ratio immediately after ridden exercise was greater compared with before work. Changes in back-shape were greater in horses working correctly versus not working correctly, and in horses with correctly-fitting versus ill-fitting saddles at each site.” Greve L, Murray R & Dyson S. Exercise-induced changes in back dimensions: the influence of saddle fit, rider-skill and work-quality. Equine Vet J (2014) 44 (1) 4-14
Before and After
A Solution Saaddles customer, was delighted after changing to a SMART™ saddle. Not only was her horse happier in his work, but the dramatic difference in his back development was obvious after only 2.5 months.
Read her story, and many more customer testimonials, here
After 6 month of using the SMART™ saddle, one customer noticed a huge difference in her horse.
“He’s now completely different to look at; his back is clearly stronger, the dips behind his withers are filling in, and each time he changes shape, an Approved Advisor has been available to assist us if needed.”
Read More Here
Veterinary Use
In the clinical evaluation of back-related problems, SMART™ saddles are useful as a diagnostic tool and can be usefully employed to eliminate the saddle as a possible source of pain. Dr. Sue Dyson, a world leading specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of lameness in the horse, now regularly uses the SMART™ saddle in assessing horses with back pain and recommends its therapeutic use to clients.
“It has been my experience that some horses with back pain benefit tremendously by the use of the SMART™ Saddle.”
- Dr Sue Dyson, MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, FRCVS,
Head of Clinical Orthopaedic Studies at The Animal Health Trust