The equestrian sport is an economically strong sector worldwide. The saddle is crucial for the optimal performance, safety and well-being of both the rider and the horse. However, saddle sizes have not always fully evolved with the horses' back sizes that have changed through breeding. Moreover, in practice it is not always easy to achieve good measurements and communication between the different parties. These parties are our stakeholders: saddle manufacturers & fitters, sports coaches and riders.
In the previous Horseback project, the experienced Equestrian Innovation Team has developed a validated protocol for measuring withers, a preliminary database with withers’ sizes and a prototype of a measuring device for daily practice.
The aim of the new HorSize project is the continued development of a database with back sizes for warmblood horses as well as a scientifically substantiated overview of which sizes and shapes occur in the population. Furthermore, the measuring device will be optimized and specific versions (basic-advanced-pro) will be at hand for riders, saddle fitters, sports coaches and manufacturers. Additionally, corresponding training modules will be available.
Get in touch with Bianca Koevoets via bianca.koevoets@hogent.be if you want to learn more about this project.