PRESSURE SCANS

All scans were performed with my own pressure scanning system which I bought in Germany this April. I wanted to do more research on our Barefoot treeless saddles and find out what the pressure distribution really looks like. Our pressure scanning pad is very thin (not made of thicker foams etc) so gives a true reading of pressure under the saddles.

Our scanning system is wireless and can record a rider up to 300 meters. The integrated video camera records the rider while it scans the saddle. A separate window displays the pressure distribution right and left under the saddle.

If you are interested in more detailed information about our pressure scanning system please visit our website at: www.dynamicsaddlefitting.com

All scans were done at the trot for about 1 minute with a 160 lbs rider in a Barefoot Tahoe with VPS which was 6 months old (we wanted to do a scan with a used saddle and not a brand new one). After the ride is recorded the average of all sensors is calculated on the computer and then displayed in these graphic colored images. Every saddle will have 'on and off' pressure points during a scan - these are not bothering the horse. What creates a long term problem for the horse's well being if there is pressure in particular area at all times (these areas are then displayed in red).

COLOR EXPLANATIONS

Blue corresponds to the least pressure, green and yellow are still acceptable. Red means that the horse is experiencing a constant pressure under this particular spot of the saddle.

We are working on more scans with horse of various conformations and will feature those here shortly.

Saddle: Barefoot Tahoe with VPS, size 2, 6 months old, with soft insert
Saddle pad: Skito Dryback pad with ¾” firm foam
Horse: 8 y o Appaloosa gelding, broad built, low withers
Rider: 160 lbs woman

Scan interpretation:
This rider is riding heavier to the left which the scan clearly shows. Despite this uneven pressure distribution and the riders 160 lbs weight the Barefoot Tahoe is still absorbing this very well without any major visible pressure points.

Saddle: Barefoot Tahoe with VPS, size 2, 6 months old, with soft insert
Saddle pad: Equipedic saddle pad
Horse: 8 y o Appaloosa gelding, broad built, low withers
Rider: 160 lbs woman

Scan interpretation:
This scan was taken with the same rider and horse. Again very good pressure distribution and even less visible pressure to the left even though the rider is not sitting centered in the saddle.

Saddle: Barefoot Tahoe with VPS, size 2, 6 months old, with soft insert
Saddle pad: Grandeur saddle pad with sheepskin under the panels
Horse: 8 y o Appaloosa gelding, broad built, low withers
Rider: 160 lbs woman

Scan interpretation:
This scan was taken with the same rider and horse. Again very good pressure distribution despite the uneven positioning of the rider. Here there is just a bit more pressure under the left cantle.

Saddle: Treed saddle, older model, not reflocked in years
Saddle pad: Regular cotton pad
Horse: 12 year old Trakehner mare
Rider: 120 lbs woman

Scan interpretation:
As a comparison a scan of an ill fitting treed saddle. This saddle had very hard panels since it has not been reflocked in years. It is too tight (red pressure points under the pommel area) and bridging in the middle which then also creates pressure under the cantle.