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Horse Problem - Saddle Fit - How to tell if horse's saddle fits well and what to know about pad:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTION: Hi. I'm thinking of buying a new saddle for my horse that I think fits him okay, but now I'm wondering how to tell if it's a really good fit. People at my barn all seem to tell me something different. I don't want my horse associating riding with discomfort or the saddle with pain either. So I wanted to stop and ask directions here before I actually buy and ride him in the new saddle. What exactly is the criteria for insuring that a saddle fits a horse properly? And also, how important is the type of pad you use and what do I need to know there?

REPLY: Thanks for writing. It's smart to take the time to insure that a saddle fits your horse perfectly so I'm glad you're stopping in your tracks to ask about that. So very many so-called behavior problems with horses when riding them can actually be traced to pain due to poor saddle fit (and even poor pad). I would go as far as to say that 50%-60% of problem issues in the saddle can be traced back to poor saddle/poor pad. And that's sad. Because no horse should be forced to work when in pain or treated like they are being "bad" just for showing they are in pain in the only way they know how.
 
If a horse's back is in pain, he can lose it often at the trot or in the canter via bucking, rearing, and I've even heard of horses suddenly lying down with the rider due to back pain. How much louder does he need to scream, "I'm in pain here....get offff!" before we really listen? We'd probably do the same if one of our children leaped onto our back when our back was hurting.
 
Pay attention to your horse's attitude as it pertains to the saddle. If he tries to run away when he sees you approaching with a saddle, well...he's communicating pretty loud & clear that he probably has pain issues associated with the saddle. If his ears flatten back or he dances around or tries to kick or bite when being saddled, he may be communicating that he has pain issues there. The horse is rarely "silent" when a saddle is uncomfortable or painful, or if he has back pain in general, so do take his attitude and demeanor into account in your evaluation (this of course, is assuming the horse already has been properly started/desensitized to saddles/saddling process, training-wise).
 
If you even suspect pain in your horse's back, first, remove all tack (saddle/pad). Then take your finger or thumb and press firmly, and run it down his back first on one side of his spine, then the other, all the way down his back. Notice his reactions and see if there's a place where he lurches/jerks/reacts suddenly. If he consistently does so in a particular spot, there's a good chance he's in pain there. This such pain can be caused by poor saddle fit or some kind of past injury. If it's an injury, or you even suspect an injury, you might want to call in your vet or even a good equine chiropractor or maybe an equine accupuncture/accupressure specialist. They can sometimes isolate what's going on pain-wise better than we can and then treat it to make the horse more comfortable.
 
It can be tricky picking a saddle that fits well, so let me talk a little about what to look for there to keep your horse well protected, most comfortable and becoming the best horse that he can be for you as your partner.
 
First, here are two links that show the parts of a saddle so you'll understand the terminology used when checking fit:
To check to make sure the saddle fits, one very basic test you can do to check initial fit:
  • Put the saddle on him with the pad you use.
  • Place your hand under the pommel and see if you can fit three or four fingers under the pommel as far as any ring you could have on a finger.
  • If you cannot fit that, the tree is too wide and the saddle is too low and could potentially damage the horse's spine or skeletal structure.
  • If you can fit your whole fist in under the pommel, then the tree is too narrow and the saddle is too high, pinching his withers.

But there's more you ideally need to check and here are some good saddle fitting information links that show step by step how to check that in more detail:

Also...I think it is very important to go into mentioning here that while it's important to have a well-fitting saddle, it is equally important to have a very good, strongly supportive saddle pad. A saddle can fit well, but if the pad is too flimsy, or of poor quality, a horse can still feel uncomfortable and then exhibit problems. Do not shortcut on saddle pad, spring for the cost of a very good one. It can make all the difference in the world in your horse's performance, attitude, structural protection and comfort level.

I highly recommend the EquiPedic line of saddle pads. It is the only pad I myself will use. EquiPedic saddle pads for horses lowers the horse's temperature (so the back doesn't overheat), helps solve minor saddle fit problems, and eliminates pressure points with Tempur-Pedic foam -- the same space age material used in Tempur-Pedic mattresses, which are renowed as the most comfortable sleeping mattress you can have -- and which I can attest to personally, because I own a Tempur-Pedic mattress and my husband and I never had back problems while sleeping ever again, after we switched to the Tempur-Pedic mattress. The EquiPedic saddle pad is better than felt, air, or gel horse saddle pads and is truly orthopedic and therapeutic. Here are more more reasons why I prefer this pad:

bullet The patent pending EquiCHARGE™ Oxygen Energy Recovery System increases your horse's blood flow and oxygen transfer to the back area under the saddle. This can result in increased metabolism, increased energy, and faster muscle recovery. This will allow your horse to perform better.
bullet The patent pending EquiKOOL™ Temperature Management System keeps your horse cooler and more comfortable over extended periods of time, automatically recharging. This will allow your horse to perform better.
bullet The ConforPedic Impact Reduction Material™ protects your horse like no other material. It conforms to your horse’s body and the bars of your saddle. It fills in gaps caused by ill fitting saddles and variations in body style, even swaybacks! It completely eliminates pressure points caused by these conditions. It is orthopedic in nature and eliminates sore backs on horses.
bullet In addition to being anti-fungal and anti-bacterial by nature, it is completely machine washable!
bullet Unlike other pads, every component of the EquiPedic™ pad is 100% breathable. There is nothing in the EquiPedic™ pad that will hinder or stop moisture transport and evaporation to the atmosphere. Your horse will stay cooler and drier at all times.
bullet It is truly an anti-slip pad. EquiGrip Strips™ and the EquiGrip Mesh Back™, made from ToughTek®, lock your pad into place from the pressure of the saddle bars from your saddle. It will not slip from front to back or up and down. Its relationship to your saddle will remain constant regardless of terrain variations.

To read more information and to order an EquiPedic saddle pad from my online store, check it out here:

In general, understand that if a horse has back pain of any kind, for any reason, he will resist being ridden (or suddenly resist higher gaits) and even can potentially become quite dangerous to you. Or the horse can literally be permanently damaged from a wrongly fitting saddle. So take this task seriously. If you are ever in doubt, don't hesitate to call in a professional saddle fitting specialist. To find a Certified Saddle Fitter nearest you, check with this organization here:

If you make sure your saddle fits well and you use a very good quality pad such as the EquiPedic line, you can be assured that your horse is well taken care of and will be happy to perform comfortably as your willing partner.

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