“Saddle Fit & Bodywork – A Path to Sustainable Wellness”
1-Day Clinic
With Stefanie Reinhold and Mary Kate Henry
A saddle fit clinic that empowers horse owners with a basic understanding around saddle fit and equine bodywork techniques to address tension caused by saddle fit problems.
In this one-day clinic, independent Saddle Fitter (ctfd. Passier® saddle fitter) and Masterson Method® practitioner Stefanie Reinhold and expert equine bodyworker (Masterson Method®, Myofascial Release, Cranio Sacral, Accupressure, and more) Mary Kate Henry, LMT, MMCP lay out a path to sustaining your horse’s wellness through saddle fit and bodywork.
Stefanie and Mary Kate combine their decades of professional experience to provide answers to the following questions:
- What are the basic principles of saddle fit?
- How do I recognize saddle fit problems?
- How do I identify issues in my horse’s body that may be caused by saddle fit?
- What do I do to address the tension in my horse’s body that arose because of an ill-fitting saddle?
- How do I ensure my horse’s sustained wellness through basic knowledge of bodywork and saddle fit?
In this educational seminar for horse owners, riders, and trainers, we address both the root cause (saddle fit) and the symptoms (tension, performance problems, and more) of that root cause, knowing that you must always address both to return to a path of sustainable wellness for your horse.
You will work hands-on with horses and different saddles (we tailor English/Western to the audience) and – if you bring your own horse – receive a personalized assessment of your saddle fit and recommendation for bodywork exercises you can do yourself to help your individual horse.
The knowledge we convey in this seminar is targeted toward the lay person working with a generally healthy and sound horse. All content of this seminar is part of a “wellness program” for healthy horses.*
Learn about common saddle fit problems and how to recognize them:
What are some of the most common saddle fit problems in “English” saddles?
- Balance
- Bridging
- Saddle length
- Panel shape
- And more
What are some of the most common saddle fit problems in “Western” saddles?
- Tree width
- Saddle and or skirt length
- Bridging
- Rigging
- And more
Learn about common symptoms of ill-fitting saddles in both “English” and “Western” saddles:
- Short-striding
- Flinching when grooming, touching, or palpating the back
- Muscle loss
- General stiffness
- “Attitude” problems like biting or laying back ears during saddling
- And more…
Which muscles and anatomical landmarks are affected by ill-fitting saddles?
Some examples that we will explore during the seminar:
- Trapezius
- Longissimus dorsi
- Lumbar region
- “Point of hip”
- Scapula and scapular cartilage
- And more
NOTE: The horse is a quadruped and especially adept at ‘compensation’. We look at the horse as a ‘system’, where everything is connected. Whenever we introduce something that causes discomfort or restriction, the ENTIRE “System Horse” will be affected through compensation! In this clinic, we will talk about some common compensation patterns and how to recognize them.
What are some of the bodywork exercises I can do to help my horse?
Mary Kate Henry teaches you various bodywork exercises that you can safely do with your horse.
These exercises range from Masterson Method® exercises to soft touch releases via acupressure or Precision Neuromuscular Therapy.
The exercises will target certain problem areas we will have identified in our saddle fit exploration.
Do you talk about both English and Western saddle fit?
We tailor our seminar to the needs of our audience and will cover English and Western saddles or either one, depending on the needs of the participants.
What if I need help after the seminar?
Stefanie and Mary Kate will send you home with a “knowledge package” covering all seminar content. This package includes a resources list that points you to further learning, recommended reading and video resources.
Stefanie and Mary Kate are also available for a personal consultation (if you are located with our service range).
Pre-requisites for participants:
- You must know how to safely handle a horse (riding experience desired but not required)
- Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes
- Please wear comfortable clothing for hands-on work with horses
- The clinic format does not lend itself to auditing. No auditors, please.
*) DISCLAIMER
None of the insights or exercises taught in this seminar are a substitute for veterinary care! None of the techniques or insights we teach are meant to diagnose or treat disease. If in doubt about the health of your horse, please contact your veterinarian.
This seminar is an educational clinic for equestrians and does not result in a qualification as a saddle fitter or equine bodyworker.
