Capture Tool System Walkthrough

T13 area

Capture the selected lowest-back profile.

This example records the marked T13-area location. Other desired locations can be included in your capture plan.

Shape the full transverse profile.

Check side to side placement. Lift without reforming the tool.

T18 area

Capture the last-rib profile.

Capture the marked last-rib station, then preserve and place this contour as shown for the earlier locations.

Confirm the marked T18 last-rib station and shape your last tool here. Follow lift and place as in earlier locations.

Prepare the shapes for your record.

The mat photographs show the retained contours after capture. Follow the supplied photography instructions when preparing images for digital reporting.

You may already own a suitable grid mat. We can discuss the mat and photography setup as part of your personalized system.

You can also trace the horse-contact edge of the retained tool to keep a paper record, as illustrated on the main Tool System page.

Choose how you want to work

Two tools or four?

Both configurations can create a four-location record. The difference is how you capture and preserve the shapes, and whether you need the extended-depth and prompt before/after protocols.

Four-location capture means one Topline plus three transverse contours. It does not mean you need four physical tools.

Topline + reusable arch

Two-Tool Core Set

One Topline Tool and one Standard Multi-Position Arch.

Genuine Topline Tool retaining a captured longitudinal contour. — Topline Tool

Genuine Standard Multi-Position Arch retaining a captured transverse contour. — Standard Multi-Position Arch

Tools shown holding captured contours.

How you capture: Reuse the Standard Arch at each selected transverse station.
When you record: Photograph or trace each arch contour before reshaping it for the next location. For the direct-tool digital report, photograph each retained arch before reshaping.
Capture reach: The Standard Arch’s reach at each selected station.

A practical choice when…

You want the principal four-location measurement record and are comfortable recording each arch shape before moving on.

Four dedicated tools

Complete Four-Tool Set

One Topline Tool, one Standard/T8 Arch, one extended T13 Arch and one extended T18 Arch.

Standard/T8 Arch included in the Complete Four-Tool Set. — Standard/T8 Arch

Dedicated extended T13 tool holding a lowest-back contour. — Extended T13 Arch

Dedicated extended T18 tool holding a last-rib contour. — Extended T18 Arch

Tools shown holding captured contours.

How you capture: Use a dedicated arch for each of the three transverse stations.
When you record: Preserve all four contours before tracing or photographing them.
Capture reach: Extended T13 and T18 arches reach farther down the rear transverse profiles.

A practical choice when…

You want to retain all four shapes, capture full-depth three-station Shape Ratio or perform prompt four-location PRE/POST work.

The principal digital record is available with either configuration.

With the required usable, correctly referenced captures, both support longitudinal and transverse profiles, widths within the captured reach, separate left/right measurements, side-specific angles, Topline station relationships and drop, dated comparisons and a connected spatial view.

The Complete Set adds the dedicated extended captures for full-depth three-station Shape Ratio and the practical workflow for preserving all four PRE or POST contours before photography.

You do not need to decide which configuration suits you before getting in touch.

Your tools and reporting options

Build a system around what you want to do.

This is your Tool System—and your report.

Contact me to put together a personalized system at introductory pricing that fits what you want to do or try. You can start with the tools that suit your current needs and upgrade your tool set as those needs change.

Your report can include the horse, client, date, conditions, training and other details you want to record, presented in a clear, professional header.

Tell me whether you want to keep paper tracings, request digital measurement reports, document fitting visits or explore changes over time. We can discuss the tools and report options that support your intended use.

You can review the actual profiles, width and angle charts, Topline measurements and static spatial view on the main page.

Discuss my Tool System and report See the report examples → Ways owners and professionals can use the record →

Monitoring and follow-up

Keep a reference for the next fitting question.

The first record does not lose its value when the appointment or saddle search ends.

It becomes a baseline for reviewing the horse through conditioning, rehabilitation, seasonal changes or other follow-up periods.

Before and promptly after work

The PRE/POST protocol records the same marked locations before a horse-appropriate work session and promptly afterward, under comparable standing conditions. The work session is selected to suit the horse’s current ability; the Complete Set instructions provide the detailed protocol.

The Complete Four-Tool Set allows each contour to be captured and set aside before photography. The paired records help you investigate whether the saddle needs to accommodate a different profile after work—and consider the measured range rather than choosing one outline in isolation.

PRE and POST are both standing captures. Saddle decisions still need to be checked with the actual horse, saddle and rider as appropriate.

Standing PRE capture

Horse-appropriate work session

Prompt standing POST capture

Before-and-after back-shape study: Greve, L., Murray, R. C., & Dyson, S. (2015). “Subjective analysis of exercise-induced changes in back dimensions of the horse: The influence of saddle-fit, rider skill and work quality.” The Veterinary Journal, 206(1), 39–46. DOI

This study provides research context. The SFS tools and PRE/POST protocol are not presented as having replicated the study or been validated by it.

Shape Ratio

Compare proportions as well as individual widths.

Shape Ratio describes the relationship between the total width 3 cm below the dorsal center and the total width 15 cm below it. It is calculated by dividing the first width by the second.

Recorded consistently at the same location, it provides another way to compare the horse’s captured shape.

What this helps you investigate

Are the upper and lower proportions still similar to the earlier record? Does a changed proportion call for another look at the complete contour, widths and angles when reviewing saddle clearance and contact?

Shape Ratio is a shape descriptor, not a health grade or a saddle recommendation. A higher or lower number is not inherently better. Full-depth, three-station Shape Ratio is part of the Complete Four-Tool Set protocol.

Research reference: Greve, L., & Dyson, S. (2014). “Back-Shape Changes in Sports Horses.” Equine Veterinary Journal, 46(Supplement 46), 53. DOI

The research reference provides context for the measurement, rather than validation of the SFS tools or protocol.

Actual Shape Ratio table: T8 0.262, T13 0.316, T18 0.423. Each ratio compares the total width at 3 cm with the total width at 15 cm. — Actual report, page 11. View larger table (new tab).

Your next step

Tell me what you would like to do or try.

You do not need to decide on a tool configuration or report before getting in touch.

Contact me about current Tool System availability, new improvements and personalization options, digital reporting, professional evaluation opportunities, or pricing and ordering information.

Request Tool System Information Email [email protected]

Back to the top ↑

See the Tool System in action.

Mark. Shape. Preserve. Record.

Mark the horse.

Capture and preserve the Topline.

Capture the behind-scapula profile.