The Anatomica Welfare Philosophy:
Freedom of Movement + Optimal Weight Distribution = Relaxation & Performance

The concept behind the Anatomica dressage saddle is simple: a horse that moves in relaxation enjoys the sport more and, as a result, performs better. Relaxation can only be achieved by relieving the horse as much as possible.

However, achieving this goal is more complex. A horse can only relax when it can move without pain. From this state of relaxation, free-flowing gaits with schwung are achieved.

To enable pain-free movement, the first step is to study the horse’s anatomy, identifying the muscles crucial for movement. The second step is to explore technological solutions in saddle development to support these anatomical needs.

The Trapezius Muscle (Musculus trapezius):

Running along the neck and withers, this muscle moves the shoulder forward, enabling the horse to lift its leg.

Key Muscles Involved in Horse Movement Under the Saddle:

The following muscles play a significant role in a horse’s motion under the saddle. Understanding and accommodating these muscles is essential for promoting relaxation and optimal performance.

The Anatomica Welfare saddle features two different models of adjustable synthetic trees, making it incredibly versatile. These trees are designed to be easily modified, allowing the saddle to fit a wide variety of horses. Moreover, they can be adjusted as your horse’s body changes over time, ensuring a perfect and adaptable fit for optimal comfort and performance.

Thanks to the open tree of the Anatomica saddle, the trapezius muscle gets optimal freedom of movement. The shoulder blade can easily rotate under the tree. This design also ensures that the nuchal ligament enjoys maximum freedom, allowing the horse to easily lift and bend its neck.

The iliocostalis muscle (musculus iliocostalis) runs from the 4th cervical vertebra to the 15th rib. This muscle stabilizes the loins and ribs and facilitates the elevation and lateral movements of the spine. Thanks to the open tree, this muscle can function optimally.

The latissimus dorsi (broad back muscle) is connected from the back to the upper arm. This muscle is responsible for flexing the shoulder joint, which allows the leg to move backward.

This muscle is relieved by the Anatomica saddle as the panels on the flanks are extra wide. This prevents pressure on the broad back muscle. Additionally, because the front girth strap is integrated into the panel, the foreleg has greater freedom of movement, enabling a wider range of motion.

Anatomica has different types of panels that are suitable for various types of horses.

These panels are equipped with an extension. For wide horses or stallions, this small cushion can easily be removed to provide more freedom for the foreleg. Especially for horses that lift their front legs high, it is important that they are given this space.

The shoulder relief panel allows the saddle to be placed 2 cm further forward, creating more space at the back for the horse.

The panel with front gusset is suitable for horses with more pronounced withers and provides rich padding along the withers for increased weight-bearing capacity and comfort for the horse.

The panel without front gusset is suitable for wide horses and ponies with low withers. It ensures that the saddle fits more closely around the horse, making it less likely to slip.

The muscle that runs on both sides of the spine is the longissimus muscle (musculus longissimus). This muscle is not designed to carry weight; it is a movement muscle that connects the forehand with the hindhand. It stabilizes and extends the spine, allowing the upper body to be raised. Additionally, it helps with the raising of the neck and head. This muscle is important for bending the neck.

When this muscle is restricted, the horse’s range of motion is greatly limited. The horse will hollow its back, and the hindquarters can no longer step properly under the body. As a result, the horse cannot soften its back and becomes unbalanced. Bending to the left and right becomes nearly impossible, and the horse can no longer stretch its neck. When the horse moves with a hollow back, back problems may develop or worsen.

The skin muscle (musculus cutaneus trunci) of a horse can be 1 to 4 cm thick in certain areas (depending on breed/heritage). This muscle can become irritated by a cushion that is not soft and evenly filled. Therefore, all Anatomica Welfare cushions contain 10 mm of memory foam for complete adaptation to the back, with 5 mm of firm foam on top to ensure pressure distribution. This is followed by sheeps wool filling, which the saddler can customize for the horse.

zadelkussen

The wide cushion channel provides optimal freedom of movement for the spine and the withers. The width of this cushion channel is four fingers wide for most horses, but it varies depending on breed and heritage.

The cushion channel of the Welfare saddle is adjustable in width by the saddler.

singelstoten

The use of three attachment points for the panels ensures a stable position of the saddle. The front panel is used to secure the saddle at the front. The second panel is connected to a V-system, which allows the saddle to be girth to two points using a single panel. In total, the saddle is attached to the back at three points, which allows the pressure to be more evenly distributed across the horse’s back, and the saddle remains more stable. This ensures that all the aforementioned muscles are evenly loaded, which benefits muscle functionality.

The panels can be attached to the Anatomica saddle in two ways. Option A ensures the saddle sits more firmly on the horse’s back, preventing slippage. Option B provides the horse with more freedom of movement in the shoulder. Your saddler will ensure the panels are attached correctly.