Article brought to you by Used Saddle Sales
Does Your Horse's Saddle Fit?
Have you noticed unusual behaviour or performance problems when riding? It could be a result of an ill-fitting saddle. Ensuring a good fit for your horse's saddle will result in all round improved well being for your horse and better performance and behaviour. A badly fitted saddle could account for many issues which often go unrecognised as riders may not now what symptoms to look for or how to fix the problems that do arise.
Lack of knowledge may be hurting your horse and reducing their performance potential and well being. Whenever a problem arises the first consideration should be the fit of the saddle. If you are not able to ensure the fit yourself consult a competent saddle fitter to eliminate this problem before considering other issues.
Signs of an Poorly Fitting Saddle
Get to know your horse and observe his body language. If the saddle is uncomfortable this should be obvious from his behaviour. Also look out for the following points.
Physical Signs
Overly developed top loin muscles
Thicker lower part of the neck due to hollowing of his back
Smaller muscles behind the horses shoulder due to pinching of nerves and muscles
Swayed or dropped back when relaxing
Heat or swelling under the saddle
Raw or rubbed skin in the area of the saddle
Bare patches or white marks on his back
Behaviour Signs
Holding himself stiffly
Unwillingness to accept the bit
Hard to catch
Nervousness when being groomed, especially around the back
Hollowing his back or moving away when being saddled
Dislikes being girthed
Tossing his head when saddled
General irritability
Uneven gait
Refusing to walk calmly on a long rein
Difficulty walking up or down hills
Stiffness on circles, corners or bends
All these are signs of back problems often caused by a badly fitting saddle. Of course there may be other causes but checking the saddle is a good start.
How to Ensure a Good saddle Fit
Fitting the Rider
While sitting relaxed in the saddle make sure there is sufficient room for your hand between your thigh and pommel. Also make sure the width of your hand will fit between the rear arch and your body. You should also check that there is a straight line from your shoulder, through your hip to your horse's center of balance when the stirrups are at their usual length.
Fitting the Horse
A saddle should not interfere in any way with the movement of your horse. No contact should be made between the saddle and the horse's spine so looking down the spine from withers to loins should be clear.
While sitting in the saddle check how many fingers you can fit between the saddle tree and the withers. Three fingers is ideal, four fingers indicates a too narrow tree, two that the tree is too wide. Also make sure the saddle is not so long as to rub on your horse's hips
The saddle should be stable enough not to rock about while riding.
Conclusion
Ensuring a good fit between your saddle your horse and you will ensure a happy horse and more comfort for you.