What Is This? 
Centaur BodyWorks was founded on the belief that because our performance horses' primary use is LOCOMOTION, and we are trying to perfect that locomotion (working to medium to extended trot or jumping over a series of obstacles), somewhere in the equation there needs to be locomotion experts around to help solve problems and keep horses moving freely and fluidly.

What Can Centaur BodyWorks Do For My Horse?
We are MUSCLE, SKELETON, AND SADDLE FITTING EXPERTS. Our business is knowing what job every muscle in the body has, problems that can occur (directly or indirectly) with each muscle, how to correct a multitude of behavioral and performance issues, how to fit saddles to a horse's back, and how to fix and prevent muscular problems.

We will make your horse FEEL BETTER than he ever has before! Centaur BodyWorks incorporates massage, acupressure, chiropractic therapy, active and passive stretching, flexibility exercises, and on-site professional saddle fitting and reflocking to give our clients the most immediate and comprehensive physical therapy available.

We believe that most horses will give their riders 110% when treated fairly and are relaxed and feeling their best. Often, horses become labeled as "resistant", "spooky", or "stubborn", when they are simply trying to escape pain. Equine therapists and saddle fitters analyze the horse's behavior and use thorough physical evaluations to determine whether a horse is ACTING OUT OF PAIN or SIMPLY MISBEHAVING.

What Do You Do To Customize And Evaluate A Saddle?
Many intricate, time-intensive steps go into perfecting a saddle's fit. Here's what we do:

1. As with anything we do with horses, we try to be keenly aware of their reactions. They will tell us, better than any diagnostic test, how a saddle feels on their back.
   
   
2. We make detailed templates of the horse's back. These templates act as a map for customizing the saddle, show asymmetrical development, and chart the horse's growth and progress over time.
   
   
3. We evaluate the saddle on and off of the horse's back. The main points we look for are:
   
   
   1. If the saddle bridges. This is a major problem with wooden spring trees, the most popular tree available in the world today. The action of the spring moves the flocking to the front and back of the saddle, creating a "bridge" where the rider sits. Active riders (classified as 5 or more hours of riding per week) can expect to need to re-flock their saddles every 6 - 9 weeks to prevent their horse from becoming back sore.
      
      
   2. If the saddle panels exhibit uneven pressure or have areas that flocking has become clumped or lumpy.
      
      
   3. If the saddle's center of gravity matches the horse's. When this is off, riders will feel as if they are being pitched forward or being left behind.
      
      
   4. If panel width, angles, and contact points fit the horse's needs. The saddle needs to sit on the horse's true ribs, which start approximately 4 inches from the center of their spine. Most times, flocking can be maneuvered to allow for the proper fit.
      
      
   5. If gullet width and angles are correct.
      
      
   6. If the bar is the correct length for the size of the horse.
      
      
   7. If rigging is correct and for the presence of point billets.
      
      
   8. Tree condition- is it broken or twisted?
      
      
   9. Panel alignment- are they sewed on straight?
      
      
   10. Does the Rocker match the horse's back?
       
       
   11. Do the panels have a sufficient flair to allow the scapula complete and unrestricted range of motion?
       
       
   12. Are there at least 2 fingers of clearance under the entire gullet?
       
       
   13. Does the rider lean to one side, mount from the ground, or use a saddle that is not made for their discipline (i.e. a jumping saddle for dressage work), or are there any other factors that will impede saddle fit?
       
       
4. We then re-flock the saddle according to our templates and findings.
   
   
5. After the initial re-flocking, the saddle goes back on the horse for another evaluation. When the saddle is perfectly fit to the standing horse, we have the rider ride the horse and we go back through our entire checklist while the horse is in motion. At this time, we also evaluate the saddle's fit with the rider in mind.
   
   
6. After the ride, we check the sweat patterns on the horse's back for further information. If the saddle needs further touch-up, now is the time.
   
   
7. We repeat steps 3-6 until the owner is happy with the fit of the saddle.

Because the horse's back is a dynamic, ever-changing palette, we offer to "Re-Check" our work, FREE OF CHARGE, within 21 days.

The Horse's Muscles Are So Big. Can You Properly Manipulate Them Enough To Make A Difference? 
YES! Although horses are incredibly large creatures, their muscles do not require a super-sized therapist or instruments. The common misconception is that the bigger muscle, the more force it requires to manipulate that muscle. The truth is, THE HEALTHIER THE MUSCLE, THE MORE PRESSURE IT ACCEPTS! Conversely, painful, sore muscles accept only light touch. In fact, forceful stimulation is damaging to already hurt tissue. Clinical studies have proven that gentle, frequent therapy has the most positive healing effect on damaged muscle tissue.

Abnormalities in the muscle structure (called adhesions) are small, painful places in the muscle's body that are unable to relax and contract due to injury from trauma or stress. Usually, adhesions are no bigger than a silver dollar and respond to very slight pressure. Gentle stimulation to these areas of the muscle will increase blood flow to the area, relax the surrounding tissue, and actively promote healing. Research has shown that gentle pressure to small areas in the muscle belly (located where the muscle becomes tendon and attaches to the bone) will result in relaxation throughout the entire muscle; so even the deepest, strongest muscles can be affected!

I Don't Want Someone To Think My Horse Is Lame. Will Other Riders/Trainers Think My Horse Has A Problem If He Gets Therapy?
Maybe, if they are ignorant. That is, until they see your horse going better than they ever have before. Our therapies are great for curing muscular injuries, enhancing training and performance, and allow your horse to work harder, more efficiently, with less strain on his body, which in turn gives him a longer, happier, more productive life.

Will My Horse Enjoy It?
YES! One particular joy of this job is that EVERY HORSE LOVES HAVING THERAPY! We work only within each client's comfort zone; this means that your horse will never experience pain during any of his sessions.

I Have A Young Horse. How Long Should I Wait Before Starting Him On Your Therapy?
Starting him as soon as he begins his training is ideal. This gives you a comprehensive idea of his strengths, weaknesses, as well as helping to correct potential future problems BEFORE they become issues. Therapy will stabilize joints, correct conformation, improve flexibility and circulation, and relax his body and mind, making training easier and fun. By starting early, you can have therapy less often and still avoid the debilitating injuries that plague older horses.

I Just Bought An Older Horse With Some Chronic Injuries. Is It Too Late To Help Him? 
Unless the horse is dead, NO HORSE IS BEYOND THE REACH OF THERAPY. Muscular therapy and stretching can alleviate joint and muscle pain, increase circulation to stagnant areas, decrease inflammation in joints, and keep him happy about continuing his career under saddle.

What If I Can't Be There For My Horse's Session?
Re-scheduling is never a problem. We ask that, if possible, to call or
e-mail us 24 hours in advance. And, once the horse is an established client, the owner does not need to be present at the time of the session. We thoroughly document each session, and schedule time to discuss our findings with the owner.

You Have Said That A Poorly Fitting Saddle Can Cause Foreleg Lameness, Headaches, And Bridle-Lameness. How Is That Possible?
First we start with the saddle. Perhaps it pinches his withers or the opposite: it is too wide and has collapsed onto his backbone. Either way, the horse's back will become sore, and he will hollow his back and lift his head and neck to avoid the pressure of the saddle. A horse that hollows his back CANNOT COLLECT, thus the engagement of the hindquarters is very minimal. If a horse cannot round his back to bring his hindquarters underneath himself to collect, the forelegs will be forced forward, producing short, jarring steps. Abnormal jarring of the forelegs has proven to lead to the formation of sidebone, navicular disease, collapsed heels, and increased incidents of pulled suspensory ligaments and bowed tendons.

To top it all off, perhaps the rider is determined to have this horse go deep and round or collected no matter what (the horse resists either of these directives because he cannot function with the pain of the saddle on his back, and must lift his head to escape this pain), so he employs the use of heavy pulling on the horse's head and mouth or draw-reins, martingales, and more severe bits to increase his leverage. Pulling on the head while the back is hollowed creates pressure, strain, and possible tearing of the Nuchal Ligament, a ligament that runs from the forehead down the dorsal neck to the back. Just like humans, horses are prone to painful tension headaches from the strain of neck and shoulder muscles. Bridle-lameness is a result of this tug-of-war, where no-one is the winner.

You Are A Dressage Rider And Enthusiast. Do You Believe The "Deep And Round" Theory Works?
NO! From a physiotherapist's point of view, deep and round is DANGEROUS, especially for younger horses in training. In this position, the horse's nuchal ligament becomes over-stressed quickly (in under 1 minute!), quickly resulting in tearing of the tissue. The nuchal ligament is a fibrous, inelastic tissue which is easily damaged and hard or impossible to repair. Chronic problems often plague horses with this injury.
Respected equine studies author Karin Blignault says:

In Dressage for the 21st Century, author and trainer Paul Belasik comments:

I have had wonderful success with LONG AND LOW AND CARRYING THEMSELVES, NOT LONG AND LOW AND RUNNING ON THE FOREHAND. Long and low is used in the most novice of dressage tests to show balance, rhythm, and relaxation in the horse. I believe this method, when used properly and often, allows the horse to establish trust in the rider and himself, builds the muscles needed for collection and extension, and allows the back muscles to contract and relax, promoting healthy tissue.

Is There AnyTime A Horse Should Not Be Massaged Or Have AcuPressure Done?
Yes.
MASSAGE: is contraindicated for the following: in the area of rashes, fungal infections, burns, or irritated/broken/bruised/traumatized skin (although other areas may be massaged normally), during the onset of the flu (influenza), a fever, or if the horse is diagnosed with an infectious disease (strangles, tetanus, and pneumonia). Deep work on the abdominal area (although light work here is often soothing and enjoyable) is contraindicated during pregnancy. All other areas may be massaged normally during pregnancy.
ACUPUNCTURE/ACUPRESSURE: is contraindicated during certain situations and/or in certain areas. For example, in pregnancy, the areas of the lower abdomen and lumbar back (among others) and for certain acupoints (Sp 6, UB 67, Li 4, etc.) are off-limits. Patients with pacemakers MUST NOT have electro-acupuncture, and NO-ONE should have e-stim applied across the spine. Sound Confusing? Yeah, it can be. For this reason, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to research the schooling and education of your Acu-Doctor. Currently, in the State of Florida, it is unlawful for anyone other than a Veterinarian or an Acupuncture
Physician to perform acupuncture on horses. These professionals have been trained FOR MANY YEARS specifically in the art of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), not only in the symptoms, syndromes, and how-to's , but what to avoid (pneumothorax, hematomas, nerve damage, spontaneous abortion, turning the fetus, etc.). The people that advertise "CERTIFIED IN ACUPUNCTURE" have taken a weekend course, or similar, AND ARE NOT VERSED IN THE LOGISTICS OF SAFE
ACUPUNCTURE! PLEASE SEE OUR ACUPUNCTURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Is Acupuncture Safe For Me And My Horse?
Yes, if performed by a BOARD CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURE PHYSICIAN (horses or humans) or a LICENSED VETERINARIAN (horses only). BEWARE the people that claim to be "Certified in Acupuncture"!
Studies show that in all case reports between 1966 and 1993 (a total of 27 YEARS), there were only 395 instances of complications. Many were minor, such as bruising or fainting, but 216 were more serious, including several cases of pneumothorax and injury to the spinal cord. Only one death due to acupuncture was reported, in which a needle penetrated the pericardium. However, since the acupuncture was SELF-ADMINISTERED, this perhaps falls outside the usual definition of
adverse events, straying into the territory of domestic injury or deliberate self harm.
Compare this with only ONE YEAR of Western Medicine: OVER 200,000 people ANNUALLY died from medical errors ALONE. Enough said.

Do You Believe Solely In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) For Every Ailment?
NO! TCM is wonderful for MANY ailments, acute injuries, and chronic conditions. However, I believe that SUCCESS IN HEALTH
IS ACHIEVED THROUGH A BALANCE OF EASTERN AND WESTERN MODALITIES. Knowing WHEN to use WHICH modality is KEY, and is often discovered through trial and error, and what works for one body may not work for another. For example, if I break my leg, you can believe that I am going to the hospital for a cast and some Percocets! However, my plan for recovery will most definitely include acupuncture and herbs. Conversely, if I am experiencing chronic pain or anxiety, I will most definitely visit my Acupuncture Physician, instead of taking pain killers and anti-depressants.

What If I Don't Understand What Is On My Horse's Evaluation Sheet?
We strive to give our clients the most knowledgeable fact-filled documentation possible, and we don't stop there! We know how confusing medical terminology can be, so we schedule time to discuss the session with the owner and/or trainer. This gives you a chance to fully understand how we got from A to Z and how your horse is progressing.

Why Do You Stress Proper And Correct Position Of The Rider?
Charles de Kunffy, world renowned and revered dressage trainer and author, states:

A rider CANNOT aid a horse correctly, efficiently, and lightly, nor can he reward his horse properly by riding upside-down. THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS to achieve lightness, submission, straightness, strength, and elasticity in the horse.

What Is The Main Focus Of Your Flexibility Exercises And Lessons?
To start with, flexibility and correctness of the horse and rider, with suppleness to each side. We begin with the horse quiet and submissive, relaxed yet energized, light and carrying himself, willing to bend to both sides, with quick, short, light aids from the rider. Elasticity of working muscles, strengthening of the weak side, proper conditioning and warm-ups, correct seat and use of half-halts to produce elegant, effortless gaits comes next. And all this in just your warm-up! We use fun exercises for both the horse and rider (primarily warm-up routines) and short training programs you can use to warm-up your horse, while on a trail ride, before you compete, or before a lesson. The variety and smooth transitions between the exercises make the horses very attentive to the rider and his aids.

List Signs And Symptoms Of An Ill-Fitting Saddle.

1. It hasn't been fitted in the last 6 months. The horse's back constantly changes during the course of his training. Saddles should be evaluated and re-flocked at least twice a year.
   
   
2. The horse is girthy or has a change in attitude when he is saddled, groomed, or touched. Depression, unwillingness to be caught, pinning ears, biting, stomping feet, kicking or acting out are all reason to be concerned that your saddle may be causing your horse pain.
   
   
3. You need to use pads to make the saddle fit. SAVE YOUR MONEY! A properly fitting saddle DOES NOT NEED PADDING! Gel pads, air pads, foam pads, and bump pads all create pressure points where the pad ends and the saddle picks up. Also, most people wrongly feel that a too-narrow saddle needs padding in order to cushion the horse's back. Do you put on two pairs of extra thick socks when your shoes are too small?
   
   
4. The saddle bridges (comes off the horse's back) in the middle directly under the seat. Bridging causes "4 Pointing"; 4 pressure points are created (2 on each side) at the pommel and the cantle. Panel pressure and support MUST remain constant and evenly distributed on the horse's back in order to properly support the rider's weight. Saddles with "wooden spring panels" are especially prone to bridging due to the action of the spring (located in the waist of the saddle) on the wool flocking in the panels. Re-flocking is necessary when a saddle becomes unbalanced.
   
   
5. The saddle makes contact with the horse's backbone. This causes sharp pain where it connects with the bone. Long term effects include scar tissue build-up, calcification and fusing of vertebrae inability to collect, and foreleg lameness.
   
   
6. The saddle leans to one side.
   
   
7. Sweat patterns underneath the saddle are uneven or the hair underneath the pommel is whorled.
   
   
8. The saddle has a pronounced tilt, either downward or upward, so its seat is unbalanced.
   
   
9. You cannot fit your hand underneath the front panels of the saddle (when it is girthed up) without discomfort.

What Saddle Brand Do You Prefer? What Is The Best Fitting Saddle?
The answer is simple: WHATEVER FITS YOUR HORSE THE BEST. County, Kieffer, Hennig, Albion... I like whatever saddle will allow your horse to work hard without causing any pain.

Why Do Many Saddle Companies Use The Lower Quality Wool?
Two reasons: MONEY & LACK OF CONSUMER INFLUENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.
1. MONEY: It costs Centaur BodyWorks approximately $120 in wool to correctly "re-panel" your saddle with our wool. The other saddle manufacturers spend about $5 per saddle, and hire non-professionals, which they can pay less than a Master Saddler, to pack your saddle with wool. Many saddle companies will simply not give up that amount of profit to flock saddles with high quality wool.

2. CONSUMER INFLUENCE AND KNOWLEDGE: Many saddle companies figure that most of their consumers will NEVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE between the low and high quality wool! You can bet the horses do. It never fails to amaze the people what actually comes out of their saddle. And we get lots of "ooohhhs" and "ahhhhs" when they feel our superior wool. Simply,
most riders and consumers are NOT educated about proper saddle fit and materials. And many saddle companies are devoted to keeping the consumers in the dark, because if there clients were educated, they would demand better, higher quality goods, in turn decreasing profits. At Centaur BodyWorks, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality materials and saddle fitting services. The health and comfort of your Horse is our #1 priority!

Do You Recommend Any Saddle Companies?
YES. Let me preface the following information by saying that THERE ARE NO SADDLES OUT THERE THAT FIT EVERY HORSE, no matter what the marketing geniuses tell you. And, WE WORK WITH EVERY BRAND, unlike many professionals who are only trained to work with their company's saddles.

We particularly enjoy working with the following saddle brands:

• Black Country (blackcountrysaddles.co.uk)
• Hennig (eurosaddlery.com)
• County (countysaddlery.com)
• Barnsby (barnsby.com)
• Courbette (courbette.com)
• Schleese (saddlefit4life.com)
• Euroriding
• Laser Equestrian Products (laserequestrian.com)

These saddles made our List because of several reasons:

• Quality of workmanship and materials
• Customer service
• Actually employing Saddle Fitters to make their saddles
• Ability to fit a wide range of horses
• Availability of demo saddles
• Ease of fitting
• Willingness to guarantee or warrantee their work