Today’s Technology Leading To Tomorrow’s ChampionsImportance of Saddle Fit

Across the nation, in all Western horse sports, times are faster and competition is tougher, especially in barrel racing. Often fractions of a second separate the winners from those who go home empty handed. When the stakes are high, many times it is the little things that make the most difference in our performance. An important aspect that is often overlooked is the fi t and proper placement of the saddle. Unfortunately, most people never consider achieving knowledge of how to properly fi t a saddle as we grow in our horsemanship skills.

When we think of saddles, most of the time, we think of style, fancy tooling, and pretty conchos. But the fact is we should consider the tree within and how well it fi ts our horse fi rst. The ability for the saddle to properly fi t the horses back and accommodate the rider, resides with the tree hidden inside the saddle itself. After all, the tree really is the basis of the saddle.

People rarely buy trees. Most of us have never even seen a saddle tree for that matter. People

buy saddles that simply have trees in them. When saddle shopping, most of us usually see a saddle that looks good, jump into the seat

and see how it feels. Of course, the saddle should be comfortable, but it is equally, if not more important, to provide the same comfort for the horse.

The saddle tree should accommodate the necessary movements required to perform for both horse and rider.

The tree consists of fi ve major parts: swell, cantle, seat, horn and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. Think about the critical functions of a tree: 1. The tree is the base structure upon which the saddle is made. 2. The tree is the strength factor within the saddle. 3. The tree is the critical point of contact to the horse’s back and, thru its fi t, determines how well it allows the horse to perform with comfort and ease. 4. Properly fi tted, the tree distributes weight and evenly disperses pressure to help prevent back soreness.

Ill fi tting saddles can lead to soreness which causes all types of behavioral problems that affect performance. Poor saddle fi t can limit or restrict virtually every physical move a horse makes in a barrel run including acceleration, lateral fl exion, and collection. Saddle soreness can affect the horse’s posture and limit speed. A horse with back pain will often hollow his back, shorten his stride, and carry his head abnormally high which limits his ability to run, stop, and turn. Soreness from poor saddle fi t can also be refl ected by an overall nervous behavior, irritability, bucking or refusal to perform. These

People rarely buy trees. Most of us have never People rarely buy trees. Most of us have never People rarely buy trees. Most of us have never even seen a saddle tree for that matter. People even seen a saddle tree for that matter. People even seen a saddle tree for that matter. People

buy saddles that simply have trees in them. buy saddles that simply have trees in them. buy saddles that simply have trees in them. When saddle shopping, most of us usually see When saddle shopping, most of us usually see When saddle shopping, most of us usually see a saddle that looks good, jump into the seat a saddle that looks good, jump into the seat a saddle that looks good, jump into the seat

and see how it feels. Of course, the saddle and see how it feels. Of course, the saddle and see how it feels. Of course, the saddle should be comfortable, but it is equally, if should be comfortable, but it is equally, if should be comfortable, but it is equally, if should be comfortable, but it is equally, if should be comfortable, but it is equally, if not more important, to provide the same not more important, to provide the same not more important, to provide the same not more important, to provide the same not more important, to provide the same comfort for the horse. comfort for the horse. comfort for the horse.

The saddle tree should accommodate the necessary The saddle tree should accommodate the necessary The saddle tree should accommodate the necessary The saddle tree should accommodate the necessary The saddle tree should accommodate the necessary movements required to perform for both horse and rider. movements required to perform for both horse and rider. movements required to perform for both horse and rider. movements required to perform for both horse and rider. movements required to perform for both horse and rider. movements required to perform for both horse and rider.

The tree consists of fi ve major parts: swell, cantle, seat, horn The tree consists of fi ve major parts: swell, cantle, seat, horn The tree consists of fi ve major parts: swell, cantle, seat, horn The tree consists of fi ve major parts: swell, cantle, seat, horn The tree consists of fi ve major parts: swell, cantle, seat, horn The tree consists of fi ve major parts: swell, cantle, seat, horn and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. and bars. The top half of the tree belongs to the rider and the bottom half belongs to the horse. Think about the critical functions of a tree: Think about the critical functions of a tree: 1. The tree is the base structure upon which the saddle is made. 1. The tree is the base structure upon which the saddle is made. 1. The tree is the base structure upon which the saddle is made. 1. The tree is the base structure upon which the saddle is made. 2. The tree is the strength factor within the saddle. 2. The tree is the strength factor within the saddle. 3. The tree is the critical point of contact to the horse’s back and, thru its fi t, determines how 3. The tree is the critical point of contact to the horse’s back and, thru its fi t, determines how 3. The tree is the critical point of contact to the horse’s back and, thru its fi t, determines how well it allows the horse to perform with comfort and ease. well it allows the horse to perform with comfort and ease. 4. Properly fi tted, the tree distributes weight and evenly disperses pressure to help prevent 4. Properly fi tted, the tree distributes weight and evenly disperses pressure to help prevent back soreness.

Ill fi tting saddles can lead to soreness which causes all types of behavioral problems that affect performance. Poor saddle fi t can limit or restrict virtually every physical move a horse makes in a barrel run including acceleration, lateral fl exion, and collection. Saddle soreness can affect the horse’s posture and limit speed. A horse with back pain will often hollow his back, shorten his stride, and carry his head abnormally high which limits his ability to run, stop, and turn. Soreness from poor saddle fi t can also be refl ected by an overall nervous behavior, irritability, bucking or refusal to perform. These

symptoms often get misdiagnosed as training issues. As a result, many riders reach for more severe equipment and intense training methods, which only makes the problem worse.

After the horse, the saddle should be your number one investment. Many people spend thousands and thousands of dollars on their horses, but cut corners and pinch pennies when purchasing a saddle. Saddles are an investment that can make or break the performance of a champion.

Since 1998, Martin Saddlery has been working to achieve a better fi t for the horse. The AXIS™ tree, by Martin is designed and constructed in-house. By having the ability to produce saddle trees in-house, Martin can control the entire process from start to fi nish. The new Axis™ saddle tree is a result of Martin’s on going efforts to improve saddle quality and performance.

“Our goal to better fi t the horse is ongoing. We breed better horses today than we did 20 years ago and through genetics we will continue to breed for increased athleticism and performance. In doing so, the conformation of our horses is forever evolviing. At Martin Saddlery, we continue to dedicate time and resources researching ways to improve saddle tree design to better accommodate today’s equine athletes. We are truly excited with the improvements we have made. After all, the saddle is really only as good as the tree upon which it is built. ” Brian Peterson, Martin Saddlery

IF THE TREE FITS?The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the tree does not fi t properly, the saddle can restrict performance.

It mainly comes down to staying out of the horse’s way. A saddle tree that fi ts correctly does not interfere with the natural movement of the horse’s shoulder, back and loin. It is also important that the saddle be placed in the proper position on the horse’s back. When the saddle sets clear of the horse’s

shoulder, he is free to move as nature intended. When you put pressure on the scapula and then ask for the horse to perform, the horse has to compensate. In other words, the horse has to change the natural way they move in order to work around the pressure. Any time a horse changes or shortens its stride, problems can arise. Soreness can cause the horse to resist or refuse to perform and can even lead to major joint and ligament damage due to the unnatural gait.

Throughout the development of the Axis™ Saddle Tree, Martin worked with many professional trainers and competitors. The result is a remarkable difference

in improved rider performance and horse health. “It is exciting that our endorser team can notice and see the difference. Their horses are staying stronger down their top line, more solid in the training

house, Martin can control the entire process from start to fi nish. The new Axis™ saddle tree is a result house, Martin can control the entire process from start to fi nish. The new Axis™ saddle tree is a result of Martin’s on going efforts to improve saddle quality and performance. of Martin’s on going efforts to improve saddle quality and performance.

“Our goal to better fi t the horse is ongoing. We breed better horses “Our goal to better fi t the horse is ongoing. We breed better horses “Our goal to better fi t the horse is ongoing. We breed better horses today than we did 20 years ago and through genetics we will today than we did 20 years ago and through genetics we will continue to breed for increased athleticism and performance. continue to breed for increased athleticism and performance.

evolviing. At Martin Saddlery, we continue to dedicate time

design to better accommodate today’s equine athletes. We are design to better accommodate today’s equine athletes. We are truly excited with the improvements we have made. After all, the truly excited with the improvements we have made. After all, the saddle is really only as good as the tree upon which it is built. ” Brian saddle is really only as good as the tree upon which it is built. ” Brian

The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the The purpose of the saddle is to aid the horse and the rider by helping them perform their job. If the

pen and they have seen a decrease in soreness and joint problems over the last several years.” Brian Peterson, Martin Saddlery

Martin Saddlery has worked with professionals and trainers all across the western industry, in all disciplines including Sherry Cervi, Kory Koontz, Clinton Anderson, Matt Gaines, Terra Bynum, Don

Murphy, Carol Goostree and many more.

“My horses’ toplines are fuller and stronger than ever before. After riding all my horses is Martin saddles, since 2003, I see don’t see as many problems in soreness and lameness in my colts and fi nished horses as I did in the past. Also, the fact that my seat is balanced, consistent and it puts me in the position to effectively cue my horse is very important. Martin has the ability to mold the same, exact ground seat every time, so I don’t fi nd myself riding in a “favorite” saddle like I used to. All my saddles are my favorite because they all sit the same. That is important, especially when you are getting on different horses.” Sherry Cervi, 2-Time World Champion Barrel Racer, 11-Time NFR Qualifi er

“I think what impressed me most about the people from Martin was the way they taught me the fundamentals of

saddle fi t and gave me the tools in knowledge that I was missing. They taught me how to evaluate my horses and how my saddles affected their performance. They broke it down and taught me hands on about where and how a saddle should fi t in order to work with the muscles and not against them. I now have an awareness that I have never had before and it will help me to take better care of my horses. ” Terra Bynum, BFA Futurity Champion, Texas Circuit Champion, NFR Qualifi er

“I used to be all about riding a saddle that fi t me, but the crew at Martin Saddlery helped me to also focus on fi tting the horse. My horses are staying sounder and that lets me keep them in training. As a person that makes a living competing in aged events, I think that is the biggest deal.” Matt Gaines

Kory Koontz, USTRC Champion Heeler and 13-time NFR Qualifi er, has seen a difference in how his horses move and hold up to the rigors on the road. “Just using common sense, seeing the AXIS™ trees on my horse’s back shows me that my Martin saddle will be more comfortable to my horse than any saddle I have ever used in the past. There are positive changes in my horses over the years that come directly from using a saddle that fi ts them better. I think it gives them a better chance to do their job.” Kory Koontz