Proper Saddle Fit
Ensuring that you select the right saddle for your horse is vital. It not
only affects the position in which the rider will sit, and therefore can
be beneficial in preventing back ache or muscle pain, but it also
affects the horse. No responsible horse owner would want their steed
to be in discomfort and pain and so choosing the best saddle is very
important. There are companies available who will measure your
horse and recommend the saddles that they think are most
appropriate but as with most things this service costs money. I highly
recommend this service as it ensures that you will not be causing any
distress to your horse when you ride it.
Once the correct saddle has been purchased it is important to
remember that positioning the saddle on the horse’s back is also vital
in ensuring your horse is comfortable when ridden. There are three
main muscles in the horse’s back which can be affected by the use
of a badly positioned saddle. It is important to familiarize yourself
with these and their locations before attempting to position the saddle
on your horse. This will give you an idea of where the saddle needs
to sit in order to be most comfortable for the horse.
In addition to the muscles which can be affected by the saddle you
must remember that the saddle is positioned on the horse’s back and
so this can have an effect on the spine and its vertebrae.
Remembering this should remind you of how important this lesson is
and that you cannot afford to take risks with your horse if you want
it to lead a long and painless life.
Firstly, place the saddle on the horse’s back, forward of the wither.
Once you have done this, slide it back along the back of the horse
until it cannot comfortably go any further. This will vary dependent
on the shape of the individual horse but the lowest point of the
saddle should correspond to the lowest point of the horse’s back. If
the saddle is in the correct position, the saddle tree will not be
pressing on the scapula (the shoulder of the horse) but will rest in the
natural grooves behind them. The most common mistake is to
position the saddle too far forward and this then causes the saddle to
press on the muscles in the scapula causing pain, impeding
movement and creating the possibility of saddle sores.
Once you have learned how to position the saddle you will find it
comes naturally after a time. It is worth taking the time to do it
properly though if you wish to remain the owner of a healthy, happy
horse.
Dennis Connor is a regular contributor to Saddle Advice where more
information about saddles and saddle sources is freely available
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