Saddle Repairs
When changing billets, when is it likely that you have to drop the panels?
When billet is sewn too close to top of saddle and you can't reach it
What is the purpose of a saddle pad?
absorb sweat; keep saddle clean; make adjustments to fit of saddle; protect horse's back from areas of pressure; to keep saddle from sliding
How would you handle this?
A client has you out to do a fitting and their saddle does not fit the horse at all and is, in fact, causing the horse damage. The client has no money to buy a new saddle at the time.
Discuss answer
Name 3 tick-born illnesses
anaplasmosis
erlichiosis
lyme disease
What can you do if rider is tipping forward on a croup high horse?
add shims/wool front
Should you use lightweight or heavyweight thread when sewing pommel back together?
light
what does it mean to "tent" a saddle pad?
to pull front up into pommel
How would you handle this?
A client starts s...-talking other fitters who came before you.
discuss answers
Name 3 symptoms of colic
restlessness; lost appetite; pawing at ground; rolling; kicking belly; grinding teeth; sweating; little or no passing of manure; elevated heart rate
How should you billet a jump saddle that is sliding off to left
use billets 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 on right; use billets 1 and 2 on left.
What is the difference between chrome and vegetable tanned billets?
no chemicals used in veg tanned; lengthy time in making;
chrome-tanned stronger; quicker method; more pollution to create
What are possible consequences of "overpadding" your horse?
instability of saddle; harder for rider to feel horse beneath him
A client is treating their horse in a manner that seems abusive
Discuss
How might cushings disease in a horse affect fit of saddle
loss of muscle/topline
What type of panel is good to use for a short-backed horse
short or upswept panel
Name 3 tools you might need for replacing billets.
hole pricker; edger; dye; round knife; thread; needle; marking pencil; hammer; cutting board; awl
What is the best sweat/heat absorbing material in a saddle pad?
natural fibers/wool/cotton
How would you handle this?
You hear through the grapevine that a client is talking poorly about you/your services to others
discuss
If you arrive at a barn where there is a contagious illness outbreak what should you do
reschedule appointment; sterilize hands/clothes/shoes before going to another barn
What type of shims would you use for a sway backed horse whose saddle is bridging slightly?
center shims in a 3 shim pad
What are the pros and cons of using the roving wool (long strips) for strip flocking?
even base when starting
when spot flocking, can shove entire rows of wool around
What is the downside of using a neoprene based pad?
won't absorb sweat/may cause rubs
How would you handle this?
You have tried "all the things" to fix a problem with a saddle but can't figure out why saddle is doing... (sliding, tipping, lifting, whatever). What would you do?
discuss
How might Vitamin E deficiency affect a horse?
stiff during warm-up; soreness; sour attitude; lack of energy/impulsion; poor muscle development; neurological symptoms; weight loss; weak immune system
What 4 things should you look at if saddle is slipping to one side