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Are saddles made
for the comfort of the rider or the horse? Well hopefully both, but quite often
a saddle that is comfortable to the rider doesn't fit the horse.
The types of saddles
available are numerous. Most saddles have been developed with a specific task in
mind. Because of these task oriented designs there probably isn't a universal
saddle that fits all horses. It may seem obvious but a western saddle that is
made for the lower withered quarter horse probably won't be comfortable on a
high withered thoroughbred.
Horses comes in
all shapes and sizes and there are variances in body type even within the same
breed. These differences often dictate the horses use and in turn the type of
saddle used. An animals shape will also change with age: a saddle purchased for
a 3 year old may not fit when the horse is 8 or 9 years old. An extreme example
of where saddle fit changes with time is with endurance rides. During an
endurance ride a horse may lose upwards of 100 lbs due to fluid loss. A snug
fitting saddle may be quite a bit looser by the end of the ride and
uncomfortable to the horse. This is also true for horses used in competitions
that take place over several days. On a less dramatic level an animals shape may
change over the summer months as the animals fitness level improves.
There are a number
of signs or behaviors that a horse may display which would indicate there is a
saddle problem.
- change in gait
/ poor range of motion in front limbs
- resistance to
work - difficulty with lead changes and collecting
- difficulty rounding barrels / slow out of chute
- white hairs /
loss of hair / worn areas (especially over the withers)
- muscles of
withers and back are tight and / or painful
- horse resents
being saddled or groomed
When discussing
saddle fit it is important to also consider the type of saddle pad you are using
with your saddle. Saddle pads are extremely important to the comfort of the
horse. There are any number of types of pads including cotton quilts, open cell
foam, closed cell foam, gel, mixed open and closed cell. Studies have been done
to determine which pad types are the best. You might think that a foam pad would
provide the optimal comfort. This is likely the case when they are used for
short periods. However, over longer rides the foam pads (both open and closed
cell) increase pressure on the animals back as the foam becomes compressed.
Something to keep in mind when picking your saddle pad(s) is that less maybe
more. You can't fix an ill fitting saddle by adding more padding. Similarly, a
saddle that fits with one pad may become too tight with multiple pads.
If you suspect
that the current saddle you are using with your horse is causing problems it is
important to examine it closely. Things to check for include:
- examine the
tree (it may be broken)
- examine the
panels - are they symmetrical?
- are they sufficient to support the weight of the rider?
- does saddle
need re-flocking?
- are flaps equal
in size and shape?
- is pommel and
gullet wide enough and have enough clearance for your horse?
Once you have
examined the saddle and are happy that it is OK, take a step back and examine
the saddle on the horse. Things to consider include:
- is saddle too
far forward? If you are constantly stopping to adjust a saddle that moves
back it is quite possible that you have the saddle too far forward in the
first place.
- is the saddle
sitting too far back over the rump and lower back? This is more common with
the larger western saddles where the skirt rides further back.
- does the saddle
rock side to side or bridge front to back?
- check the
length of your stirrup leathers. Often one will have stretched. It's a good
practice to routinely alternate your stirrup leathers.
If you are buying
a new saddle make sure you try it out on the horse you intend to use it on. Tack
shops should allow you to take a saddle home for a trial period. If you have the
opportunity and tack shop has the facilities, take your horse along and try as
many saddles as it takes to find the one that fits well. Lastly, don't dwell on
the price of a saddle. An expensive saddle won't necessarily fit better than a
less expensive one. Up to 35% of all new saddles are unbalanced and therefore
ill fitting.
So what saddle is
best for your horse? The one that fits!
References:
- Spisak, Drew
DVM: Saddle Fit, Options for Animals, Oct., 1998
- Sellow, Les:
Saddle Fit, the Horse, May 1998
- Stashak, Ted:
Adams' Lameness in Horses 4th Edition
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