SADDLES

Question
RICK, I NEED YOUR HELP, A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD SHOULDER SURGERY, AND NOW HAVE A HARD TIME LIFTING MY HEAVY SADDLE ON MY 4 YEAR OLD BELGIAN/QUARTER CROSS. SHE'S TO TALL. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY BIGGER SADDLES THAT ARE LIGHTER IN WEIGHT PLEASE. THANK FOR YOUR TIME.

Answer
Putting a saddle on is a lot about technique.  If your shoulder injury is on the right shoulder, then you should start putting the saddle on from the right side.  The shoulder to the rear of the horse takes the most strength. So maybe switching sides will help.

If you want to really put in some time, you can teach your horse to bow so you do not have to lift the saddle so high.

Another option is to teach your horse to walk to a table or truck bed and put the saddle on while you are standing in the truck bed, then you do not have to lift so high.

Hope this helps,

Rick