Discussing Sweat Marks

I thought it might be a good idea to document where Milo's sweat marks occur, and put it up for review or discussion. On average, Milo gets worked 4-5 times a week, roughly 45 minutes to an hour each. Some days are more on fitness building, and others more directed towards discipline specific. While I always ride with a lifted, engaged back, and maintain subtle cues along with working on maneuvers that will ultimately help our reining patterns, some rides I simple long trot, or work on the "Arena Interval Training".

I have noticed that Milo sweats in the following locations: behind the ears, throatlatch, girth area and under bareback pad, heavily in stifle/belly area, and thigh. Now, I cant determine which areas sweat first being that Im on him when hes sweating, but I do notice that behind the ears starts to sweat after roughly thirty minutes into work, so probably one of the first indicators that he is starting to get a workout.

Last summer I noticed a lot of sweat on his neck and shoulders, this winter however, I rarely notice any sweat on his neck. Now sweat obviously shows us the muscles that are working, or where friction is, so I think its a good thing that the sweat patterns have moved away from the forhand area and gravitated more towards the rear.

Naturally, sweat marks show up under the bareback pad in the same location of my seat, and at the girth area where the pad is cinched down. This makes me remember something Sarah told me when I first started working with her, as I was discussing Milo's dry spots under the saddle. She said "My horses only sweat where I was sitting. If you took the saddle off you would see my seat area, and leg, no other place under the saddle". I thought it was interesting at the time, but thinking back to it now, It makes sense. If the saddle is fitted correctly and off of their back, unless there was an extensive workout or high tempertature, there wouldnt/shouldnt be any need for excessive sweating under the saddle. And certainly shouldnt be dry spots. Im glad that this seems to be the case for Milo and I lately, although we will see what patterns show up one I have him under saddle again, although with a properly fitting saddle and correct riding position, I dont anticipate much change.

Milo's most notable sweat locations are in the stifle/gaskin/belly region. I would take a photo but Milo probably wouldnt appreciate delicate areas being publicized online. But you get the idea on location. This indicates to me that hes working hard on lifting his back and holding his belly up. That seems to be a good sign. There is also light sweat on the rear of his thighs below the cheeks. This also indicates that hes using his hind end to lift and drive, another good sign, dont you think?

What do you think? Do these changed sweat patterns show good improvement, average sweat marks, or bad change?