ASKHQ: STIRRUP LENGTH

Q: What is a good guideline for jumping stirrup length for heights between 70cm and 1.20m? Asked by Laura Paschini A: As a rule of thumb, your flatwork stirrups should hand slightly above your ankle when your legs are hanging loosely around your horse's barrel. Some riders are quite happy to jump smaller heights (50cm to 80cm)…

BylizzieJanuary 20, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training Know How

ASKHQ: TREELESS QUANDRY

Q: Should I go treeless? A: The tree of a saddle is generally considered pretty fundamental in that it helps to balance the rider and distribute the pressure and forces generated over the horse's back to where they are supported by the ribcage. It follows therefore that the risks of a treeless saddle are that it…

BylizzieJanuary 19, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Breed Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training Know How

ASKHQ: CONFORMATION

Q: Which conformational factors are considered important to look for in a riding horse? A: When looking at the conformation of the horse to assess his rideability, the following factors should be considered: The back and ribs A relatively short back is generally strongest for taking weight, as it has shorter, stronger coupling than a longer back. A…

BylizzieDecember 11, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel

ASKHQ: SLIPPING AND SLIDING IN THE SADDLE

Q: I slide around in my saddle and this doesn't make me feel particularly safe. Is this the fault of the saddle or do I just need to sit deeper? Asked by Laura A: Without having an experienced saddle fitter seeing you on the horse, it is quite difficult to say for certain what is…

BylizzieMay 5, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel

ASKHQ: I SLIDE AROUND IN MY SADDLE AND THEREFORE I DON’T FEEL SAFE. IS THIS THE FAULT OF THE SADDLE OR DO I NEED TO SIT DEEPER?

Without having an experienced saddle fitter seeing you on the horse, it is quite difficult to say for certain what is happening. In all likelihood, however, the issue is either that the saddle is too big for you, the seat has too-forward a cut, the seat is too flat or the saddle is out of…

BylizzieMarch 12, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training Lifestyle

Performance saddles – Equipe

The art of crafting the perfect saddle can be likened to the age-old art of glassblowing. Each curve, each line and each stitch is a quintessential component of the overall product. One incorrect move and the end product will be flawed. A 1mm flaw in a saddle can be the difference between clearing a 1m…

BylizzieJune 28, 20170Comments

Horse Channel Know How

Saddle fitting for the modern horse

Modern sport horses have evolved to have bigger shoulders. It’s important that your saddle fits so that your horse’s movement is not restricted [dropcap]W[/dropcap]e all know that one of the keys to a happy athlete is correctly fitting tack. In the December issue of HQ, we touched on the topic of bitting for the individual horse’s…

BylizzieMarch 15, 20160Comments

Horse Channel Know How

Saddle and tack theft

Access to certain areas, including the tack room [dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen your treasured saddle is stolen, it’s usually nothing short of catastrophic. Not only have you lost a valuable item that probably carries a well-known brand name, but you’ve also lost a piece of sports equipment that has been carefully chosen and maintained to custom-fit you and your…

BylizzieMarch 14, 20160Comments

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