Evidence Based Saddle Fitting

Evidence Based Saddle Fit with Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire and Mark Fisher

This popular* 4-hour online course will present an array of saddle based research, with in-depth discussion on how evidence based saddle fitting can link in with practical saddle fitting.

Areas to be covered:

• Saddle design and construction incl.: panel, knee roll, seat size, tree types, treeless, saddle types, trees, weight and materials

• Saddle forces and balance during locomotion

• Tree width – correct, wide, narrow and wide with pads?

• Factors associated with saddle slip in lame & non lame horses

• Saddle balance/movement in relation to equine spinal kinematics

• Saddle fit in relation to rider fit

For all attendees, CPD certificates available as well as a “view only” recording of the webinar with a 30- day video access pass. There will also be a Q and A session with ample opportunity to post questions via our interactive Q&A panel

Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire

Russell MacKechnie-Guire graduated from Warwickshire College in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Equine and Human Sports Science and now holds a PhD in Equine Biomechanics, graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2019. Russell’s thesis was titled ‘The Relationship between Saddle and Rider Kinematics, Equine Locomotion, and Thoracolumbar Pressures in Sports Horses’. Russell is based at Centaur Biomechanics, a company which he founded in 2006. He has extensively researched the effect that tack (saddle, bridle and girth) has on equine health and performance. Russell’s current area of research is horse-saddle-rider interaction, spinal kinematics in horses when ridden over ground and the effect that rider asymmetry has on equine back movement. In addition, Russell collaborates with researchers from around the world on various research projects associated with equine health and performance. He regularly presents his work at international meetings throughout the world and is a consultant for the British Equestrian Federations World Class, Team GBR programme. Russell is a member of the Team GBR’s Scientific Advisory Group, Society of Master Saddlers Scientific Advisory Group and chairs the horse+rider subgroup, part of the International Task force on Laterality in Sports Horses.

Mark Fisher, SMS RQSF

Mark Fisher left the King’s Troop RHA as the Master Saddler in 2004, after 22 years service. In the army, he competed in eventing where he reached intermediate level and in team chasing up to open level. He has also been involved in show jumping and hunts on a regular basis. Mark is a registered, qualified saddle fitter and regularly lectures and assesses for the Society of Master Saddlers. Mark was fortunate enough to be employed as the official Master Saddler of the London 2012 Olympic games. He also works in conjunction with the British Equestrian Federation on the World Class Programme, operating the Pliance saddle pressure system, which is owned by the British Equestrian Federation. He is also employed as an overseas trainer for the World Horse Welfare, working with working horses in developing countries.Mark is also co-author on multiple scientific saddle based research papers.

*The course content is similar to the previous evidence-based saddle flitting course run in 2023.