Saddle Trauma, Saddle Fit and the Underbelly of Dressage Saddle Design with Dr Ian Bidstrup
Saturday 30th November 2024 @ 10:00 HRS GMT
Saddle Trauma, Saddle Fit and the Underbelly of Dressage Saddle Design with Dr Ian Bidstrup
We all desire for our horses to be comfortable under us. This presentation is aimed at helping horse riders and owners better understand saddle related back pain of horses, critical points of saddle fit, the structure of saddles and what design features they should look for in a saddle. We will progress through the symptoms and background of saddle trauma, looking at common pre-existing tension and tenderness and ways saddle design can reduce the impact on affected areas of the horse’s back. The saddle, of course, is a critical interface between the horse and rider. When things are not right horse welfare, posture, gait, and behaviour deteriorate, and any limb soreness a horse is living with gets stressed, often leading to overt lameness.
From the rider’s point of view, saddle designs are intended to give the rider freedom of movement, comfort, balance, and stability, and at the same time allow the rider to readily communicate aids to the horse underneath them. Desirably for the horse a saddle should be an interface that spreads the load of the rider’s weight well and stabilises the rider’s movement to keep the horse as stress free as possible under the rider. Sadly, ill-fitting, and inappropriately designed saddles are commonplace and when coupled with pre-existing back tenderness and tension, very commonly lead to damaging trauma in ridden horses.
For all attendees, CPD certificates available as well as a “view only” recording of the webinar with a 30-day access pass. There will also be a Q and A session with ample opportunity to post questions via our interactive Q&A panel.
Dr Bidstrup
Treating spinal pain and dysfunction of horses has been Ian Bidstrup’s obsession for the last 25 years of his 40 plus years as a veterinarian.
In addition to a degree in veterinary science, qualifications from both Australia and America include a Masters Degree in Chiropractic Science for animals and Certification in Acupuncture from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. Therapeutic approaches include veterinary chiropractic, acupuncture, regenerative Injection therapy (dextrose prolotherapy), neural therapy and homotoxicology. Particular interests include birth trauma, girth pain, neck pain, kissing spines, stifle lock, sacroiliac joint complex strain and dysfunction, and saddle related spinal pain.
Between 2002 and 2009 Ian was one of the principal lecturers in Animal Chiropractic at RMIT University Graduate Diploma in Animal Chiropractic. Also from 2000 to 2020 he was the principal lecturer at the ASFA Saddle Fit Accreditation and Advanced Accreditation courses, and was is the editor of the course manuals. He is rated as a Master Saddle Fitter by ASFA with his specialty being saddle design and suitability.
Ian is a past president of Animal Biomechanical Professionals Australia, formerly known as the Australian Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Also a member of veterinary professional associations ANZCVS (equine medicine and rehabilitation), AVA, EVA, AVAG, and IVAS.
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