Position of the bar relative to the shoulder blades

[ccpowell]

Very excellent points- I think that the other thing that all of us need to remember is that what we think we know and what we think has worked and therefore is correct could actually only be partially correct or worked for reasons other than what we thought. When this thread was started, I thought that I had some good information and a good case in point to reference regarding fitting those odd shaped horses, only to discover (thank all of you who imparted wisdom on this subject) that I likely fit the horse by having the tree custom fitted, and my thoughts on rigging position were dead wrong and inconsequential to the outcome. I am glad that the situation worked out for the benefit of the horse and owner despite what I thought I knew! It goes to show that what we think we know, even if we have experience to back it up, may not actually be fact. I always liked the 3/4 and 7/8 rigging positions best as a cowboy, but thought as a saddle maker that I needed to change based on what I had read. Now with more reading and thought on the subject, I am headed back to what I inherently felt was right. I have been seeking out information on rigging position as well as how to attach the rigging to get more even pressure on the bars, and am glued to the forum looking for more tidbits of knowledge. I hope that I can remain open minded, and encourage everyone else to consider the same- it is when we think we have it all figured out that we stop learning!

Chuck

When I was in vet school I was taught that about 90 percent of all lamenesses were in the hoof, especially in the front legs. Now vets are realizing that back problems not only cause unsoundnesses, but may be related to leg lamenesses too (though which comes first is a matter of controversy). Michigan state has even opened the McPhail Equine Back Pain Clinic. http://news.msu.edu/story/5593/

The problem is that few vets understand much about how saddles work (saddles are not a high priority when you are trying to learn the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, diseases, treatment and surgical procedures of all non-human species), and most saddle makers don't have a great understanding of the anatomy and biomechanical function of the equine back. That is not a knock against either profession. It is just a statement of fact. The more vets and saddle makers can work together and learn about the other's areas, the sooner we will get better fitting saddles and healthier horses.

It may just be a terminology difference, but I wouldn't say that the trapezius muscle lifts the leg. It has two sections - the cranial (front) one originates on the nuchal ligament that runs along the top of the neck and is the top most muscle (under the skin and its muscle) in front of and on top of the shoulder blade. It inserts on the spine of the scapula - that ridge running relatively up and down that sticks out from the center of the shoulder blade. The caudal (back) part orignites from ligament that runs along the top of the spine (the supraspinous ligament) between T3 and T10. It also is the outer most muscle in that area (under the skin and its muscle) behind and on top of the shoulder blade, and it too inserts on the spine of the scapula, but primarily on a specific knob that is about 1/3rd or so of the way down from the top. So this is the section that gets pinched and damaged between the saddle and the moving shoulder blade if the saddle held is too far forward or doesn't fit well at the front. If it is badly damaged, it atrophies (shrinks) so there is more of a hollow behind the shoulder blade than there was before, the back of the shoulder blade is more visible (since there is less muscle covering it) and often the spine of the scapula is more visible too. The front section of the trapezius pulls the shoulder blade forward and up. The back section pulls it backwards and up. If both work together they do act to move the shoulder blade up compared to the withers, but there isn't a lot of room for movement in that direction. And they act only on the shoulder blade, not further down the leg.

Probably way too much information, but as I said before, the more saddle makers learn about anatomy...

[Janice]

This is a wonderful discussion everyone, thank you for this.

"It is when we think we have it all figured out that we stop learning!"

SO true Chuck!