88 SIDELINES JUNE 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Njno and Nala Jeans:
The Animo Experience
If anything was missing from the already extensiveAnimo
collection, it has arrived this season: elasticated, technical
and cutting-edge Jeans. The Njno and Nala models are made
for women who love Animo and themselves, who don’t
want to sacrifce style and comfort and above all love to be
daring and surprising. These jeans keep all these promises
and have been designed to ensure maximum comfort in the
saddle. Feisty and with just the right degree of technical
performance, they have Animo Gripping System and are
available in Italian sizes 36 to 52.
Retail prices: Nala: $399; Njno: $439;
TheAnimoExperience.com
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Sidelights
Saddleft 4 Life Launches Saddle Ergonomist
Seminars to Protect Horse & Rider!
Equine Ergonomics studies the interaction of working horse and rider
in motion utilizing theory, principles data and evaluation techniques.
The goal of the Equine Ergonomist is to maximize the health, well
being, performance and productivity of both horse and rider in motion,
taking into account equipment design, abilities and limitations of horse
and rider and the saddle as interface. Proper ergonomic design helps to
prevent injuries, which may develop over time, possibly leading to long-
term disability.
People and horses come in all different shapes and sizes, with different
capabilities and limitations - strength, age, speed, judgment and skills.
When sitting in a saddle, the main part of the body weight is transferred
to the seat and onto the horse’s saddle support area. The proper transfer
of weight is the key to a good saddle design. When the areas are not
properly supported, sitting in a saddle can result in unwanted pressure
and pain to both the horse and rider’s back.
For riders diagnosed with physiological ailments or disorders, or
horses displaying symptomatic signs of discomfort, pressure that seems
insignifcant to some, may be very painful to others and even render a
saddle unusable. Ergonomically designed saddles are recommended for
the treatment and prevention of issues and pressure related chronic pain.
Saddle Ergonomists use the principles of equine ergonomics to conduct
comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of the ft of the saddle to horse and
rider in both static and dynamic phases. The 80-point Saddleft 4 Life
diagnostic evaluation (25 points to rider/ 55 points to horse) examines
the factors and variables of each unique horse and rider partnership (sex,
e
Sidelights
Nala Jeans
Njno Jeans
rider’s physical attributes, discipline, horse’s age, physical condition,
demands, equipment - size, shape and appropriateness). Saddle
Ergonomists many use 2 approaches - reactive (fxing a problem caused
by something else) or proactive (using corrective action to improve or
prevent potential issues).
Jochen Schleese passes on “back saving” principles at trade fairs,
equine schools and associations. Jochen’s passion to teach and mentor
the expanding Saddleft 4 Life network is the focus of his dedication to
protect horse and rider from long-term damage. Former German three-
day junior event rider, graduate of Passier, Certifed Master Saddler,
Jochen came to Canada in 1986 as Offcial Saddler at the World Dressage
Championships, founded Schleese and registered the trade of saddlery in
North America in 1990 (www.saddlesforwomen.com). Jochen’s passion
to protect horse and rider led to establishing Saddleft 4 Life. To inquire
about lectures, diagnostic evaluation in your area, professional seminars
and certifcation courses, contact info@saddleft4life.com
Jochen Schleese
demonstrates Saddle
Support Area