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Iberosattel® Saddles: Improve Your Horse's Shoulder Freedom
A well-fitting saddle is one that isn't too loose and doesn't slip. A saddle that doesn't press. And a saddle must fit well and must not hinder the horse's movement. An important aspect here is shoulder freedom. Here you can read how our saddles - and the way we fit them - ensure freedom of movement for the horse's shoulder and protect your animal's back.
That's why shoulder freedom is so important for your horse:
That's why shoulder freedom is so important for your horse:
- increases freedom of movement
- prevents tension and injuries
- improves your animal's performance
Table of Contents:
The Horse's Shoulder
The horse's shoulder blade is a relatively large, flat, triangular bone that connects the upper arm to the spine. The wide upper edge of the shoulder blade is padded with cartilage along its entire width and connected to the rib cage by muscle fibres, tendons and fascia. You can feel the shoulder blade cartilage relatively easily as a crescent-shaped structure just below the withers.
The shoulder blade cartilage can be easily felt below the withers. — Horse's Shoulder
What Does Shoulder Freedom Actually Mean?
1. Shoulder Freedom of the Horse at a Standstill
Shoulder freedom first of all means that the saddle must not rest on the horse's shoulder blade while standing. Just as the last rib limits the saddle position towards the back, the shoulder blade forms the limit towards the front: there should be about two fingers' width of space between the saddle flap and the rear edge of the shoulder blade.
Shoulder freedom at a standstill is relatively easy to achieve. However, it should be noted that the situation during saddle fitting can differ from the situation during active use of the saddle. In very round horses, or also in horses with little withers, even a fundamentally well-fitting saddle tends to slip forward towards the shoulder and can then come to rest on the shoulder blade even while standing. Girthing solutions that prevent the saddle from slipping forward also restore shoulder freedom in such cases.
Shoulder freedom at a standstill is relatively easy to achieve. However, it should be noted that the situation during saddle fitting can differ from the situation during active use of the saddle. In very round horses, or also in horses with little withers, even a fundamentally well-fitting saddle tends to slip forward towards the shoulder and can then come to rest on the shoulder blade even while standing. Girthing solutions that prevent the saddle from slipping forward also restore shoulder freedom in such cases.
The saddle must not rest on the shoulder blade. — Shoulder Freedom at a Standstill
2. Shoulder Freedom of the Horse in Motion
A saddle that rests two fingers' width behind the shoulder blade while standing, as desired, does not automatically also provide shoulder freedom in motion. Why is that?
When the horse moves its front legs, the shoulder blade also moves - and for many horses, even in a surprisingly extensive way: lifting and advancing a front leg pushes the corresponding shoulder blade backward along the body; due to the simultaneous rotation, the rear corner of the shoulder blade moves slightly downward. Depending on the intensity of the horse's movement, the shoulder blade shifts about a hand's width backward during this movement sequence. Shoulder freedom in motion means that the saddle does not hinder the shifting and rotation of the shoulder blade.
However, it is fundamentally impossible to position the saddle far enough back that the shoulder blade is still in front of the saddle even when the front leg is lifted forward - that would shift the centre of gravity much too far back. When we ask for shoulder freedom from a saddle, we rather mean that the shifting shoulder can slide unhindered under the saddle.
When the horse moves its front legs, the shoulder blade also moves - and for many horses, even in a surprisingly extensive way: lifting and advancing a front leg pushes the corresponding shoulder blade backward along the body; due to the simultaneous rotation, the rear corner of the shoulder blade moves slightly downward. Depending on the intensity of the horse's movement, the shoulder blade shifts about a hand's width backward during this movement sequence. Shoulder freedom in motion means that the saddle does not hinder the shifting and rotation of the shoulder blade.
However, it is fundamentally impossible to position the saddle far enough back that the shoulder blade is still in front of the saddle even when the front leg is lifted forward - that would shift the centre of gravity much too far back. When we ask for shoulder freedom from a saddle, we rather mean that the shifting shoulder can slide unhindered under the saddle.
In motion, the shoulder blade must be able to slide unhindered under the saddle. — Shoulder Freedom in Motion
Shoulder freedom - both at a standstill and in motion - is a matter of careful saddle fitting.
How We Take Your Horse's Shoulder Freedom into Account When Fitting the Saddle
Shoulder freedom at a standstill is ensured by the correct saddle position - and by well-fitting, stably girthed saddles that fit well and do not slip forward during use.
Shoulder freedom in motion is a matter of correct gullet width. If the saddle's gullet is too narrow, the sensitive shoulder cartilage hits the front edge of the saddle with every step. This hurts, inhibits the horse's movement - and pushes the saddle further and further back while riding. A gullet that is only slightly too narrow may still allow the shoulder blade to slide under the saddle, but can still hinder rotation.
The saddle tree must therefore be adapted to the width and angle of the shoulder blades - even though the saddle rests behind the shoulder while standing! The shoulder must be able to slide under the saddle without pressure during movement, even when the rider is sitting in the saddle.
Buying a saddle at Iberosattel® always includes a saddle appointment, where we measure and analyse your horse standing and moving, with and without a rider. We find the optimal saddle position, and we individually adjust the width of the saddle gullet according to all the aspects mentioned.
Shoulder freedom in motion is a matter of correct gullet width. If the saddle's gullet is too narrow, the sensitive shoulder cartilage hits the front edge of the saddle with every step. This hurts, inhibits the horse's movement - and pushes the saddle further and further back while riding. A gullet that is only slightly too narrow may still allow the shoulder blade to slide under the saddle, but can still hinder rotation.
The saddle tree must therefore be adapted to the width and angle of the shoulder blades - even though the saddle rests behind the shoulder while standing! The shoulder must be able to slide under the saddle without pressure during movement, even when the rider is sitting in the saddle.
Buying a saddle at Iberosattel® always includes a saddle appointment, where we measure and analyse your horse standing and moving, with and without a rider. We find the optimal saddle position, and we individually adjust the width of the saddle gullet according to all the aspects mentioned.
The correct saddle position and a gullet that matches the width and angle of the shoulder create shoulder freedom. — Shoulder Freedom When Fitting the Saddle
The Iberosattel® Comfort Pad: Also Offers More Shoulder Freedom
Our patented saddle padding, the Iberosattel® Comfort Pad, also contributes to the shoulder freedom of our saddles: our multi-layered Comfort pads are softer and thinner than the voluminous, tightly stuffed pads of conventional saddle padding, which often present an additional obstacle to shoulder movement. With a correctly fitted saddle tree, the shoulder slides easily under the Comfort Pad and can rotate freely underneath.
The Comfort Pad lets the shoulder slide easily under the saddle and does not hinder rotation of the shoulder blade. — Iberosattel® Comfort Pad
Need Even More Shoulder Freedom?
For horses with particularly pronounced shoulder action, a saddle tree with an integrated head plate can be the ideal solution: here, the head plate is not attached to the underside of the saddle tree, but fully integrated into the tree. With the patented EWF saddle tree, we can offer you a saddle tree with an integrated head plate made of titanium steel. EWF stands for "Extra Withers Freedom" - but the tree with the plastic-coated plate not only offers extra room for the withers, it also gives the shoulders more freedom of movement; pressure on the shoulder blade from the points of the head plate simply cannot happen with the EWF tree.
Thanks to the integrated head plate, the EWF saddle tree offers more shoulder and withers freedom. — Iberosattel® EWF Saddle Tree
Riding with Iberosattel®: What Our Customers Say
Regardless of the specific model: all our saddles, whether baroque or dressage, are of course fitted so that they offer the shoulder freedom required for the individual horse. Most of the saddles in our Premium Line are also available with the EWF saddle tree on request.
What Our Customers Say:
El Primero on a Friesian Gelding: "We can only recommend Iberosattel®..."
We are also very pleased with the great shoulder freedom of our new El Primero saddle, which our gelding now confirms with more ground cover and swing.
Sonja S. & Criollo Mare: "My little one moves super freely thanks to the spinal and shoulder freedom..."
During training work and also on long trail rides, I'm delighted with this great saddle every time.
My little one moves super freely thanks to the spinal and shoulder freedom! We are thrilled!
My little one moves super freely thanks to the spinal and shoulder freedom! We are thrilled!
Rebekka I.: "The saddle fits perfectly, my sweetheart simply gets on really well with it..."
Dear Iberosattel® Team,
after enjoying my Sevilla saddle for a while now, I just wanted to say thank you.
The saddle fits perfectly, my sweetheart simply gets on really well with it. My riding instructor was also totally thrilled because it offers such amazing shoulder freedom and you can really feel it in the gait.
after enjoying my Sevilla saddle for a while now, I just wanted to say thank you.
The saddle fits perfectly, my sweetheart simply gets on really well with it. My riding instructor was also totally thrilled because it offers such amazing shoulder freedom and you can really feel it in the gait.
Baroque or Dressage Saddle: The Benefits of an Iberosattel® for Shoulder Freedom
- Individual saddle fitting by an expert
- Shoulder freedom at a standstill through correct saddle position
- Shoulder freedom in motion through a correctly fitted saddle gullet
- Saddles with Comfort Pad: easier gliding of the shoulder under the saddle, unhindered shoulder rotation
- Saddle tree with integrated head plate (EWF system): additional room for movement for the shoulder, for example for horses with particularly pronounced shoulder action
Iberosattel® Also Offers This:
- Simply widen or narrow it: all our saddles have an adjustable gullet width, so they can be adapted to changes in the horse.
- Our Comfort Pad has significantly more bearing surface than conventional saddle pads. This means an Iberosattel® distributes the rider's weight over a larger area and thus reduces saddle pressure - especially recommended for leisure saddles used for riding over longer periods!
- Thanks to the extra-wide bearing surface, our saddles are also particularly well suited for short, broad horses.
- Whether dressage or baroque: every Iberosattel® comes with the Amazona solution - a padded recess on the saddle tree that prevents saddle sores.
- And last but not least: the finest leather and high-quality workmanship!
Saddle Service at Its Finest
Buy a saddle online? Please don't! Buying a saddle at Iberosattel® always includes a personal saddle appointment with detailed customer-specific advice and test riding of various models. Since we work with partner saddlers nationwide and in neighbouring countries, we can offer our saddle appointments wherever you are.
Once the decision for a specific model has been made, we measure your horse in order to individually adjust the gullet width and padding. Our Premium models are made to measure for you and your horse - with many individual design options.
The purchase also includes the first follow-up check of the saddle fit, including any necessary corrections. After the purchase, we remain your point of contact at all times, for example if your horse has changed and you would like to have your Iberosattel® readjusted and/or re-padded.
Once the decision for a specific model has been made, we measure your horse in order to individually adjust the gullet width and padding. Our Premium models are made to measure for you and your horse - with many individual design options.
The purchase also includes the first follow-up check of the saddle fit, including any necessary corrections. After the purchase, we remain your point of contact at all times, for example if your horse has changed and you would like to have your Iberosattel® readjusted and/or re-padded.
Personal saddle appointments, individual advice, careful measuring of the horse for the initial fitting as well as for all following refittings: our saddle service does not leave you on your own. — Iberosattel® Service
Curious?
Shoulder freedom, wide bearing surface, individual fitting, adjustable gullet width, etc.: could an Iberosattel® be something for you and your horse? Would you like to know more or arrange a saddle appointment? Then we look forward to hearing from you!
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We Individually Adapt the Spinal Channel to Your Horse!
For your horse's comfort: measuring for a sufficiently wide spinal channel
To give your horse sufficient freedom of movement and reduce pressure on the spine, the saddle's panel channel must be individually adapted for each animal.
At Iberosattel®, we take fitting seriously and arrange a saddle appointment with you and your horse.
At Iberosattel®, we take fitting seriously and arrange a saddle appointment with you and your horse.