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Horse Bit, Bridle, Girth and Saddle Assessment

31.5 Hours – 4 Days | 7000 AED

Teaching language: Arabic / English - according to the student’s choice.

Delivery: Face to Face / Online / Hybrid

Audience

This study program is intended for all horse and animal lovers, for riders, for horse owners, for veterinarians, for stable workers, and for those working in all equine therapeutic fields. With the aim of treating and caring for your horse, or the horses under your responsibility, and also to acquire new effective therapeutic tools, develop your profession, stand out from other practitioners and acquire professions that are in great demand in the labor market, with international certificates from the leading institutions in the field and for the first time in the country.

About the program

Course Level: Level 1 and 2 combined

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man - Winston Churchill

This course is intended to introduce a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the field of bits and bitting and how to assess the fit or a saddle. We will explore an analysis of bits from their operational perspective, a description of how auxiliary tack affects the action of the bit on the horse and the influence of the rider’s position, as well as the horse’s head position, have on the action of the bit. A broad overview of the history of the bit, materials used for bits and anatomy of the mouth is provided to ensure a well-rounded overview of the subject.

Equine anatomy especially of the mouth, head and neck is very important as ill-fitting tack can cause everything from performance limitations through to pain and injury.

When fitting a bridle, we will learn to consider:

1. The Browband

Make sure the browband is not too tight and is not pulling the headpiece onto the back of the ears.

2. The Throatlash

The throatlash must not be tight, as it will interfere with breathing and collection. To ensure comfort there should be enough room to place a clenched fist between the side of the horse's cheek and throatlash.

3. The Cheeks

The buckles of the cheek pieces and noseband should be parallel and slightly below the corner of the eye.

4. The Noseband

The noseband must lie at least one finger or 1cm below the cheekbones, as this is another pressure point area. If the noseband is placed too high on the face it can cause great pain.

The pad on the back of the crank noseband fastening should not connect to the front of the noseband, as this can cause pinching and subsequent sores.

Saddle Fit Assessment

A poor saddle fit can do more than just cause pain and discomfort to your horse—it can also result in poor performance, bad behavior, and training problems. You and your horse will always work better as a team when the saddle fits correctly.

When evaluating the fit of a saddle to a horse many aspects need to be taking into consideration.

The tree of the saddle should match the shape of the horse’s topline. In other words, the anatomy of the saddle should match the anatomy of the horse.

The panels are the interface between the tree and your horse’s strong, sensitive muscles.

The shape and style of panel is important in how they relate to different sizes and shapes of topline confirmation.

The use of interfaces and other saddle equipment will also be evaluated in relation to way of going and their effect on performance. They will also learn how saddle fit and rider influence affects equine biomechanics.

The students will also learn how to correctly fit and recognize an ill-fitting saddle and propose possible solutions.

This programme provides a detailed look at the various types of saddle, the various parts of the saddle, their construction and make up. The student will develop the ability to assess a saddle to ensure it is in good condition before looking at placing the saddle on the horse.

Billet configuration is an often forgotten about element of saddle fit. Different billet configurations and positioning also determine how a saddle can be flocked for optimal fit.

We will be using a variety of learning from classroom based to practical with a focus on learning through understanding.

Talking about the rider we will go through the anatomy of the rider, the differences with men and women and the differences with conformations and postures.

Train the professionals of tomorrow in advanced techniques of analysis, settings, design and choice of equipment and materials is my aim. This is why we are also going to talk about bit fitting.

Understanding postural and musculoskeletal functioning, identifying physical compensations and asymmetries (causes, solutions, anatomy compensatory patterns): it is just necessary to help your horse feel good about himself, by adopting a care and work protocol adapted to HIS own needs! And bonus: the morphological landmarks that you will learn to locate will allow you to take its measurements.

• What are the differences between the various models of saddle pads, shock absorbers, half pads…?

• How to check the girths (shapes, fabric, anatomical girths) is correctly fitted? What is their aim? How to use them?

• Impact of rider’s weight on horses’ health (facts, studies and opinions).

• Topline syndrome

• Thoracic sling in saddle fitting and training

• Horses balance

The importance of teamwork in your horse’s day life!

Saddle and girth fitting are an important part of the horse’s well-being, and incorrectly fitted saddles and girths can cause tension in the horse’s musculature, alter gait patterns and cause lameness. It is important for those involved with horses to be able to identify incorrectly fitted saddles and girths. A correctly fitted saddle and girth is not only important for the horse’s comfort but to allow the best performance of the horse.

Each student receives the “Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology” worth 10,000 dirhams, for free!

Certification by Ryada Training Center - The American University in the Emirates, Dubai Racing Club, AUEDI Training Center, Dubai Equestrian Club and the International Association for Complementary Medicine (CMA) located in London, UK.

Syllabus

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Syllabus
Lecture 1	Horse Bit, Bridle and Saddle Assessment Introduction to Bit and Bridle Fitting including the history of the Bit
Lecture 2	Bits and Bridles - designs and their purposes.
Lecture 3	Mouth Anatomy including the forces and actions of different bits in the mouth.
Lecture 4	Cranial Anatomy and where the bridles sit including modern tack designs. Fitting bridles, selecting appropriate bits and assessing their way of going under saddle in response to the changes.
Lecture 5	Saddle Assessment - what to look for in a well fitting saddle. Assessing the rider, saddle and rider interaction: How rider’s weight, ability can affect saddle fit and equine back biomechanics. Different disciplines require different rider positions. How the saddle can have a positive or negative influence over rider position. Assessment of rider: how position, weight and ability can influence saddle fit / slip. Palpation of the horse to assess for saddle and girth fit NB- Students are assessed on knowledge during all practical lectures. Trialing of other saddles and girths to improve the fit Saddle Fitting Interventions and their effects: Using technology to better understand weight distribution, pressure points and rider influence. How Intrinsic factors affect saddle fit. Critical evaluation of different scenarios and how this can be applied to an industry setting. Assessment of horse, rider and saddle with/ without interfaces using biomechanics technology, thermography and pressure mats. Practice Assessing saddles on horses Taking a saddle apart plus assessment of materials used within the saddle. Equine back anatomy: skeletal system, bony landmarks, superficial muscles. Identification and palpation of bones, bony landmarks and superficial muscles. Back profiles and measurements: Assessment of horse’s conformation, posture and musculoskeletal system in relation to fitting a saddle.
Lecture 6	Objective evaluation of conformation, back profiles, symmetry and musculature and how this could influence saddle fitting. Introduction to Bit and Bridle Fitting. Advanced Bit and Bridle Fitting including the science of Lorinery Bits and Bridles - discipline specific designs Mouth and head anatomy including the science of bitting. Fitting bridles, selecting appropriate bits and assessing their way of going under saddle in response to the changes.
Lecture 7	Saddle Fitting - how to assess an ill-fitting saddle and short-term solutions. Discipline specific saddles designs. Saddle fit for the rider. Assessing saddles on horses. Written test and practical test.