Listen to the audio version below.
Are we placing too much emphasis on rider comfort over horse comfort? In this presentation for the Equine Spine Initiative, renowned expert Ian Bidstup dives deep into the biomechanics of saddle fitting and the hidden realities of saddle-induced trauma.
Drawing on over 30 years of experience specializing in equine spinal pain, Ian challenges traditional concepts and reveals what is really happening beneath the tree.
Key Topics Covered:
- The Silent Trauma: Why pressure damage at the bone surface is 3 to 5 times greater than what is felt at the skin level.
- The “Double Whammy”: How vertical and horizontal forces combine to cause severe tissue deformation on high-withered horses.
- The Hidden Danger of “Slow Work”: Why static or slow disciplines like dressage can cause more prolonged vascular stasis than high-activity work.
- The Myth of the “Okay” Dry Patch: Why dry patches always signal deeper underlying issues.
- Birth Trauma & Saddle Sensitivity: How early upper thoracic dysfunction permanently alters wither symmetry and causes lifelong saddle and girth resistance.
Whether you are looking to identify subtle behavioral symptoms or better map localized pain zones, this presntation is an absolute must-watch for anyone dedicated to equine welfare and performance.