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VH BLOGHorse Management | Horse Health | Dressage | Saddlery
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By Victoria Hamilton
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 by Jenna SantosWhat is it that’s makes us feel safer on a horse with limited get up and go? As a self-confessed nervous nelly, I certainly do not enjoy a horse than rushes around, as I feel less in control than I do when I must continually push them on. And I know I am not alone. You have all seen those wanted ads from people searching for more whoa than go. Why is this so common? Why do we feel safer?
 By Victoria Hamilton There is a fair amount of division in the equestrian community regarding whether fixed (pressable) gullets or changeable gullets are the better option. As with most things saddles, a lot of it comes down to the needs and preferences of horse and rider. But there are some advantages and disadvantages to each of the options, and some common misconceptions.
Changeable Gullets A changeable gullet is a metal plate in the head of the tree that can be removed and replaced with a different size. Changeable gullet saddles usually have flexible trees to allow for this change. The amount of flexibility depends on the material being used and whether any other metal is used to strengthen it to create some rigidity or stability. The gullets are usually unique for the particular saddle brand or type of saddle, although some are interchangeable between brands. Some of the gullets are positioned vertically when put in the saddles, others may be angled and some are actually designed to flare out to help with shoulder freedom. The position, shape and angle of the gullet is important as it relates to the tree points which in turn affects the positioning of the girth points. Girth points cannot be positioned more forward than the tree points of the saddle and girth position is so important for saddle stability. The Pros:
Fixed/ Pressable Gullets The term “Fixed Gullet” alone is a bit of a misconception. I prefer to refer to them as pressable gullets, since they can be adjusted, just not at the same range and frequency as changeable gullets. Pressable saddles can be made from different materials, with some using a metal gullet that is rivetted on and able to be pressed on-site to alter its size while still in the saddle. Others may be made of material that can be adjusted when heated, which means your saddle may need to be taken off-site. Wood trees with metal gullets should only be changed one size narrower or wider up to four times in their life. If it is done more often the metal may weaken and crack. These saddles still allow for excellent adjustability if the head of the tree is wide enough and if they have a good depth in the panels for flocking. There is probably a greater range of trees and gullets in the non-changeable saddle group as in this group there are also saddles with very short tree points. These can be great for horses with very fleshy shoulders and not a lot of wither. It is difficult to achieve short tree points in saddles with changeable gullets due to the design and access points for the changeable system. Pros:
Cons:
While changeable gullet systems can be fantastic for some horses, pressable gullets are better for others. The best option really comes down to the individual saddle and its suitability for the horse and rider combination. If you need some advice, we are always happy to help.  By Victoria HamiltonBuying a new saddle can be an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming experience, with so many different brands and models to choose from! Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to saddles, but at the end of the day the best option comes down to what suits you and your horse. Here are the key things you should consider when buying a new saddle:
 By Jenna Santos I am not a confident rider. If a dog barks, if a mouse sneezes, if a horse in the back paddock farts… I assume my completely sensible horse is going to suddenly turn into a fire breathing dragon, expand his great wings, throw me fiercely to the ground and fly away, burning villages as he goes. It’s never happened… but it could.
My fear began before I even owned a horse. After waiting my entire childhood, working my way through uni and squireling away every cent so I could finally realise my dream of owning my own horse, the very first one I trialled bolted while I clung on helplessly. I fell most ungracefully into a solid wooden fence which resulted in a broken arm, severed nerves, an 8-day vacation in hospital, three operations and a 12-month recovery. Suffice to say… things had not gone to plan. A few years later, still adamant I was going to ride, I finally brought my first horse. But I was so utterly petrified I would shake uncontrollably just tacking her up. Slowly but surely, I built my confidence, but those fears still come creeping in from time to time… and this is how I deal with them.  By Victoria Hamilton Winter is coming! So, it is time to get prepared. Protecting your horse’s gut, feet and joints are always priorities, but in winter can be especially critical. Here are the three most important things to prepare for and manage this winter, to keep your horse in optimal health: Grass Shoots
Horses just love small grass shoots! And with a stop/start to the winter season, like we’ve had this year, these small but problematic little shoots are coming up every time it rains. Unfortunately, as most people know, when horses feast on small shoots of grass, they pull them out of the ground, along with roots and the accompanying sand. The sand can accumulate in the horse’s gut and cause colic. Horses on sandy pastures, grazing in drought conditions, on overgrazed pastures or kept in a dry lot are particularly at risk, as the sand and dirt accumulates in their hindgut, leading to digestive upsets including diarrhoea and ‘sand colic’.  By Victoria Hamilton A decade or so ago horses with certain traits would have been classified as hard to fit by riders and saddle fitters alike. But new research and technology has allowed world-class saddle makers to develop a good range of saddles for all horses, regardless of their physical traits. There can be more limited options available for some traits and/or horse and rider combinations, but it is improving all the time. And while custom-made saddles can be a brilliant option for some of the more challenging cases, there are also plenty of off-the-shelf saddles that are now well suited to many situations.
Find out what traits make a horse more challenging to fit, signs your horse has one or more of these traits, the impact this can have on saddle fit and most importantly, what you should be looking for in a saddle to ensure the comfort and performance of both you and your horse.  By Jenna SantosPresentation is not my strong suit. This not only applies to horse riding, but life in general. I do not enjoy shopping, so I wait until my clothes become so badly ripped, stained, or otherwise battered to the point I can’t possibly continue to wear them, before heading to the shop, grabbing whatever looks like it might fit and beelining for the checkout. I rarely wear make-up, my hair gets brushed once a week (at best) and I can’t even tell you last time I had it cut. I would like to say I give my horse the dignity of a decent presentation, but alas, I’d be lying. He’s constantly filthy. I used to blame the lovely red Wheatbelt dirt, but things have not improved since he took up residence at Victoria Hamilton’s property in the hills. Even with all that beautiful green grass he manages to bury dirt deep inside his coat where it will forever stay. My idea of grooming in running a brush over him a few times before a ride and calling it a job well done.
 By Jenna Santos
Dressage is easy. Unless you’re the one doing it… in which case it is very difficult. As with most sports, and in fact most activities, if someone makes something look easy… it is because they are good at it. So don’t be fooled into thinking it is just a matter of prancing around in circles. Ironically, the better you get the harder it becomes, and not just because you start working your way through the grades (theoretically) but rather because you realise all the things you never knew you never knew. I shudder to think of the countless things I am yet to learn, which would be a far longer list than the list of things I already know. I am not a professional rider. I am an average amateur rider. An amateur rider, for those who don’t know, is basically defined as a person who does not make a living out of riding or training horses or coaching other riders. Just because a person is an amateur rider does not make them a bad rider. In fact, many amateur riders are highly skilled and competitive at top levels. There are also many “professional” riders who have questionable riding or horsemanship skills. You know the old saying… those who cannot do… teach. It is sometimes true. |
AuthorDr Victoria Hamilton is an icon in the Western Australian Equestrian Community, with a wealth of experience as a veterinarian, coach, breeder and international dressage competitor. As one of Australia’s top dressage riders, her love of horses is contagious and apparent in everything she does. Guest BloggerJenna Santos is a business marketer, events manager, writer, mother and an amateur dressage rider. ArchivesCategoriesFollow Us |
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