Checking/measuring withers using a bendy ruler....?

D

dizzyf

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 January 2009
Messages
294
Visit site
I just had the chiro up for my horse, she gave me lots of information that I was trying to remember, but I've forgotten one thing that she said...

Something about keeping a check/measure of horses withers using a bendy ruler then drawing it onto a piece of paper....

Can anyone explain it to me?
 
Presumably it's to check for muscle development/ wastage under the saddle. You take a template about 2 inches behind the shoulder blade, trace it onto paper and then date it. You can then revisit regularly to see if anything is changine. If you look on the Balance International website, they have some nice outlines of horses changing shape dramatically depending on their work/saddle combination.
 
You can buy a flexi measure from wh smith only a few quid, just try to measure in the same place each time, I measure mine every two months trace it on paper and compare with last time, its very interesting to see them grow muscle that had wasted away with a tight saddle.
 
I measure mine regularly so I can keep track of saddle sizes, she can go between at least two sizes so I want to know when she loses or gains dramatically and I may not notice otherwise (she has an adjustable gullet saddle so easy to accommodate). I do it just behind shoulder blade (most important one) and also along the spine, and where the back of the saddle fits, those ones don't really change though its just what I've seen the saddler do so thought it would be interesting :-) if they do change I'll probably need a new saddle!
 
Thank you. I just couldn't remember what she called it and I wanted to google it for some step by step guides.

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top