Ghost Saddle Fitting
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You want your treeless saddle to be positioned where you would be sitting if riding bareback, which is usually just behind the horses’ withers and scapula, which is where the horse is most able to carry the rider with ease. The horse should ideally not have any weight beyond T14, and definitely no weight beyond his last rib (T18) this makes for a much smaller area then most people realize. The further away from the horses center of gravity we move, the more soundness issues will occur. As Ghost saddles are non-weight baring over the pommel area, and there is nothing hard or restrictive to dig in, do not be concerned if the Ghost panels are close to the scapula. Ghost treeless saddles are designed to have no weight in the pommel & cantle area.
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Panel PlacementTo position the panels, generally we align the panels with the stitch lines on the saddle base, while flaring away at the front. For most horses a spinal channel of 4 – 5cm is right, with the area under the pommel flaring out to around 9cms wide. Narrower horses often require the panels to be positioned a little closer together, and for a table top horse with wide shoulders you may need to extend the panels more, especially over the shoulders, the 'string test' can help you in determining if they have been widened too far or not. When narrowing the base panels, do make sure you're not too close to the spinal processes by placing the saddle on the horse without a treeless pad and feeling along the wither. When adjusting the panels, it is best to do this in ½ - 1 cm increments, making sure everything is nicely balanced as you do so. If the saddle is sitting downhill, try narrowing the front a little. If the saddle is sitting too uphill, widen the back channel more.
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The String Test
Used to check saddle panels are not too far apart, for lightweight riders to see if they can use their standard pad, and also for wide, round backed horses to see if a special pad is needed.
To start, take some baling twine and tie several double knots along the twines length, then placing the twine through the saddle gullet/panel clearance above your usual pad, ride around for a bit in your saddle to make sure the foams have settled, then check and see if the knots can be pulled easily through your saddle gullet. If so, you may be able to ride with your standard pad without treeless inserts. If the twine is resistant or doesn't move, check you haven't widened the base panels too far, otherwise you definitely need a pad that provides additional spine clearance and wither relief. If you post or stand in the stirrups during your average ride, it is a good idea to repeat the test while standing in the stirrups too.
Used to check saddle panels are not too far apart, for lightweight riders to see if they can use their standard pad, and also for wide, round backed horses to see if a special pad is needed.
To start, take some baling twine and tie several double knots along the twines length, then placing the twine through the saddle gullet/panel clearance above your usual pad, ride around for a bit in your saddle to make sure the foams have settled, then check and see if the knots can be pulled easily through your saddle gullet. If so, you may be able to ride with your standard pad without treeless inserts. If the twine is resistant or doesn't move, check you haven't widened the base panels too far, otherwise you definitely need a pad that provides additional spine clearance and wither relief. If you post or stand in the stirrups during your average ride, it is a good idea to repeat the test while standing in the stirrups too.
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If you want to check shoulder comfort for your horse, saddle and ride as usual. While sitting in the saddle at a halt, slide your hand under the front of the saddle (between the horse and the saddle pad) and feel your horses shoulder blade. Depending on your pad material, it may be harder to slide your fingers under, as wool fleece and sympanova are particularly grippy. That is okay however, as what you are checking for is the amount of pressure you feel once your hand is under there. Keeping in mind that it will not be quite as tight for your horse once your hand is not stuffed in there, the feeling of pressure you are looking for is no more then a firm to very firm handshake. Try repeating this test at a walk and trot too, as there may be more or less pressure depending on how your horse carries himself (if he raises his back to move, then there will be less pressure under the front and back of the saddle). If you can feel the horse’s shoulder moving back and forth under the saddle and your hand is not getting uncomfortably pinched, then the horse’s shoulder is not getting uncomfortably pinched either. Wither clearance is necessary, but a few fingers is enough. The saddle base and the pommel may sit close to the horse’s spinous process’s but are not allowed to make direct contact.
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Taking note of your saddles position, now add the treeless pad. Making sure you pull it up into the pommel to create an air channel over the spine. Ghost Saddles and Pads have the ability to tie the pad up into the saddle too.
For light weight riders on table top horses with no prominent spine, you may be able to get away with a pad without inserts, especially for gentle riding. We say may as treeless saddle pads provide additional weight distribution, cushioning, breathability and support.
For light weight riders on table top horses with no prominent spine, you may be able to get away with a pad without inserts, especially for gentle riding. We say may as treeless saddle pads provide additional weight distribution, cushioning, breathability and support.
When attaching the stirrup leathers, please always make sure the buckle is by your ankle! Ghost saddles offer two positions, a more forward general purpose option, and the back ring, which offers a more classical dressage feel.
Feel free to experiment with what’s best for you!
Feel free to experiment with what’s best for you!
Next gently girth your horse up, you want your girth to be about 1 inch higher than your horses elbows. Do the girth up snuggly (you do not however need to over tighten) The shorter the girth, the more secure the saddle.
With treeless saddles do remember you will most likely be sitting totally different then you are used to. You will be more balanced, and in a more aligned position. You will be having to use different muscles and may feel a little tight in your body at first! While you get used to your new saddle, take small 20 minute rides, this helps to make sure it is adjusted for both you and your horse before you take off on those long treks!
For Rider Balance, if you feel yourself tipped forward in the saddle here is a simple solution:
Take some memory foam and cut to shape and place in a sock! Ghost also makes a nice velcro wedge bolster that can be moved forward or back for a lesser or greater affect in pelvis tilt. And as an added benefit to some, the bolster refines the twist and deepens the seat. If you don't want anything changing the shape at the front of the seat, then better to balance the seat with shims in the panels or pad. To put in place, pull the velcro strip at the front of the saddle that goes between the panels, then tug the seat over one or both of the upper front Dees, peel back the seat and position the bolster. Place level with the pommel for a lesser effect or back an inch or so for a bigger effect.
Take some memory foam and cut to shape and place in a sock! Ghost also makes a nice velcro wedge bolster that can be moved forward or back for a lesser or greater affect in pelvis tilt. And as an added benefit to some, the bolster refines the twist and deepens the seat. If you don't want anything changing the shape at the front of the seat, then better to balance the seat with shims in the panels or pad. To put in place, pull the velcro strip at the front of the saddle that goes between the panels, then tug the seat over one or both of the upper front Dees, peel back the seat and position the bolster. Place level with the pommel for a lesser effect or back an inch or so for a bigger effect.
We hope you have many happy hours riding in your Ghost treeless saddle!
