Fellgeknüll & Steigbügel

A new horse arrived at Meadowland for corrective training.

Gillian: “What problems are you having with May, Harper?”

Harper: “I’ve had her for three months now. I’ve tried everything, but she refuses the saddle. I can ride her fine without it. But the moment she even sees a saddle, she completely panics.”

Claire: “How was she with her previous owner?”

While Harper was explaining, I picked up a saddle.

Harper: “She hadn’t been ridden for quite a while and was mostly out on pasture… careful, Gillian!”

May grew tense and suddenly reared.

Claire: “Oh wow. Now I see what you mean. Leave her here with us — we’ll take a closer look.”

We turned May out on a paddock first. She seemed relaxed, curious, even friendly toward the neighboring horses. Then we placed a saddle — with a pile of carrots on top — inside the paddock. May froze. Her nostrils flared. She didn’t move a single step. She didn’t even look at the carrots. The next day, Claire tested how she moved under saddle — well, without one.

Gillian: “And? What do you think?”

Claire: “She’s not moving freely. We should have the vet check her.”

I had placed a saddle on the fence near the round pen. As Claire rode May closer, May tried to bolt.

Gillian: “Careful, Claire!”

Claire: “Easy, May. Easy.”

Later, the veterinarian examined her.

Gillian: “Did you find anything that could explain her panic around saddles?”

Vet: “Physically, she looks fine. Hooves are good. She’s just not that young anymore. I’ll send a physiotherapist — maybe she’ll find something.”

The physiotherapist arrived.

Physio: “She has several blockages along her back. I’ll try to release them. I suspect the saddle was never properly fitted. Especially in older horses, the spine changes over time. Saddles need regular adjustments.”

After treating May, she prescribed three days of rest. Most likely muscle soreness would follow. After that, we were to start slowly again. She also recommended calling a saddler. As an alternative to a traditional saddle, she suggested trying a riding pad — lighter, softer, and more comfortable for older horses. Marvin, a local saddler, came by with several saddles and riding pads. He quickly realized a saddle wouldn’t work for May anymore. For horses her age, he recommended a pad with extra spinal clearance and soft padding.

Claire: “She’s moving so much better. Her back looks relaxed. But how did you even get the pad on her?”

Marvin: “Trade secret. Just kidding. I turned the pad fleece-side out and scrunched it up. She didn’t recognize it as a saddle.”

With Marvin’s trick, May calmly allowed the pad to be placed and fastened. She moved beautifully. Only Claire complained.

Claire: “There are no stirrups!”

Marvin grinned and added detachable stirrups as an extra. A few days later, Harper picked May up.

Claire: “Did you see how happy Harper was? Now she understands it wasn’t her fault. I’m so happy for her and May.”

Gillian: “Me too. Oh, golden girl… I’ve got something for you. In case you ever run out of stirrups again.”

I handed Claire a pair of stirrups as a joke. Strangely enough… she didn’t find it funny at all.