Horseback riding is an exhilarating exercise for some, a hobby or a sport for others. Those engaged in horse riding as a daily routine are primarily concerned with how they can be in their best form while riding their best horse. Security and comfort are also a concern in the field of horse riding.
Most equestrians find it more comfortable if they add saddle fitting shims to their riding gears, along with the saddle, saddle pad, and saddle blanket. These shims are made of soft materials like felt and foam. Aside from providing comfort to the rider, these shims are designed to take off the pressure during riding and add ease and comfort to the horse.
Some seasoned riders opt not to put fitting shims to their saddles. Others even don’t use a harness when riding their horse. Riding dos and don’ts typically depends upon the rider. But most animal welfare advocates recommend that the rider or equestrian always ensures the horse is comfortable, especially during long rides with heavy loads. Riding a horse is a pastime or a beneficial sport that entails responsibility.
So, whether or not you use a saddle shim, ensure that your horse is protected and comfortable during your rides. There are, of course, some situations wherein fitting shims are necessary for your horse. Allow this section to walk you through some of them.
Some Instances When You Need To Use Saddle Fitting Shims
Your horse will have discomforts and health problems if its shoulder bones have a ridge in between. It’s usually caused by the rubbing and irritation of a poorly fitted saddle against the sensitive shoulders of the horse. Vets call it fistulous withers or wither pockets. It’s known to cause excruciating pain for the horse and can be fatal.
Saddle fitting shims can help ease the horse’s discomfort by supplanting lost muscles between the shoulder bones. It’ll help distribute the weight in the shoulders without the rubbing irritation from the saddle.
Spine bumps are often called kissing spines or fluid bumps. In some instances, the horse may carry itself with its head raised, its back hollow, and the muscles in its core not engaged. It results from various causes, including a loose or unfit saddle. Past injuries to the horse’s ligaments due to tackles with gullets that are too narrow can also result in spine or fluid bumps.
Especially if it’s ridden hollow, the transverse processes of the horse’s spine touch or rub against each other, or the withers aren’t aligned with its spine. Both of these conditions can lead to kissing the spine. It may occur in all horse breeds and is common in horses with ages more than five years old.
Saddle shims will help correct this spinal issue. It’ll ensure that the saddle will fit the contours of the horse’s back and help align the spine. You may just need these shims instead of contacting the services of your horse’s chiropractor to help address the horse’s health issue.
A drooped, swayback, or dipped back is common in older horses. Its back ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissues responsible for keeping the vertebrae in line become weaker with age. Swayback can have a variety of causes, including heredity, age, posture, pregnancy, severe tension on the back, or a lack of activity.
This condition in horses causes the spine to sag, which results in a dipped back. When lordosis or swayback manifests in young horses, it’s frequently the result of malformed vertebrae to the point where they hinder the spine from assuming its natural position.
There are a few options available for this disorder. These include having a saddle custom-made to fit the horse’s sway. Packing the saddle panels is also a remedy to help ensure that it’ll make even contact with the horse’s back. Using specialized pads or saddle fitting shims will assist in building up the area where the bridging occurs.
Fitting shims under the saddle will effectively bridge and ease the tension between the saddle and the back. It’ll help correct the vertebrae’s dipped back, reducing the horse’s discomfort and pains.
The Bottom Line
There are many horse ailments that horse owners worldwide have dealt with by maximizing the use of saddle-fitting shims. These shims help lift the saddle and adjust its position on your horse’s back. These absorb and ease the tension and friction when the back of the horse comes into contact with the saddle.
As an owner or rider, you’ll know something’s wrong with your horse. Before your equine’s health deteriorates, check it out with your vet. You’re also free to dig up more insights from the links here to help you know when to use saddle fitting shims.
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