National Saddle Centre NZ

Josephine Giles DancyOwner, Founder & Master Saddle

Fitter

What the horse needs from the saddle

The horse’s primary need is comfort and freedom of movement.

A well fitting saddle minimizes the damage we do to out horses back by riding him. By distributing our weight as sympathetically as possible on the horse’s back we increase the horse’s comfort and his ability to preform what we are

asking of him.

To expect a horse to perform kindly and give his best whilst wearing an “instrument of torture” is not reasonable and we should not be surprised if the

horse reacts towards us in a negative way if we do so.

We will go through some of the signs to look for both physically and behaviour wise which might indicate that your horse is not as happy as he deserves to be.

Signs of an Ill-Fitting Saddle

Ways your horse may tell you that he isn’t comfortable…

What is your horse trying to tell you?

Physical Signs

Soreness Reaction to Touch Muscle Loss Tension in the Back Dry spots White hairs

Sudden Changes in Behaviour

Ears back Biting Kicking Threatening Dislike of grooming and being tacked

up Unusually grumpy behaviour

What is your horse trying to tell you?

Reluctance to go forwards or down hills Suddenly refusing to jump, rushing fences or clipping poles. Hollowing and working away from the saddle. Overly high head carriage or inability to drop head low on long rein. This is

a good test because if he is sore he will be unable to work through his back, therefore being unable to drop his head.

Bucking, if it unusual for him to do so.

Under SaddleThese are ways your horse may tell you that he isn’t comfortable:

Dry Spots

Dry spots would seem to indicate excess pressure – these can be caused by a

saddle that is too narrow or too wide where the balance has not been

corrected, or the incorrect use of back riser pad in an attempt to “correct” the

balance.

Dry spots tend to occur more often on horses with poor conformation,

particularly those that are higher behind than in front (croup high) and are

believed to be the precursor to white hairs.

White Hairs

White hairs are definitely caused by excess pressure – these can be caused by a saddle that is too narrow or too wide where the balance has not been corrected, or the

incorrect use of back riser pad in an attempt to “correct” the balance. Poor conformation

and excess weight of the rider are often contributing factors.

The points of the tree and stirrup bar are often responsible and we see NSC’s e-Bar

doing a great deal to alleviate this pressure. The angle of the rails in the tree on the

horse’s back is usually responsible for white hairs along the back as illustrated in the

bottom photograph

Muscle Loss

You can see muscle loss in the form of “hollows”, usually behind the scapula

where the points of the tree and stirrup bar sit.

Taller horses, where the angles on the back are greater, are more likely to suffer from this. The saddle for this

type of horse needs much more support across the front third. The shape of the tree and design of the

panel is very important here.

Obtaining the balance of the saddle and clearance by making the fit narrower is usually responsible.

Viewing the Horse Holistically

With all temperament and behaviour issues we have also to rule out other bio-mechanical changes in the horse.

Remember that horses are reactionary in general – they do not suddenly react badly

unless something bad is happening to them. If your horse persists to act

uncharacteristically it will almost certainly be something that is happening to him. However, behaviour is sometimes just a memory and once established as a truly

“grumpy” horse, bad behaviour can persist long after the course of discomfort has

been removed. A Comfortable, Happy Horse =

Improved Performance

Why did he behave like this?

The whole temperament and behaviour issue has to be viewed holistically.For Example:

Did my horse buck me off because:1.I hadn’t ridden him for a few days and he had been having a lot of feed?

2. Was it a windy day and he was feeling just a bit too well?3. Did I pull on his mouth and land too heavily on his back after a fence – was he

showing his displeasure?4. Could it be his feet or his teeth?

Etc…

Or… Could his saddle be making him uncomfortable? Have I changed anything; girth or saddle blanket?

Can I detect any soreness? Has he gained or lost condition?

Have I been asking him to work too hard before he was fit enough?

If any of the latter apply, it is time to get your saddle and your horse assessed .

Does your saddle fit?

Unweighted Checks

The Basics

Check the Position

The points of the tree should sit three fingers (2inches/5cm)

behind the scapula.

Saddle in Correct Position

Saddle sitting too far forward. The points of the tree are jamming into the scapula. The balance is lost. Doing this can have severe implications on the ligaments around and above the scapula.

Saddle sitting too far back. Balance is lost and weight is being taken beyond the 18th thoracic vertebrae and into the lumbar region.

Saddle sitting in the correct position. The points of the tree are 2 inches/5cm behind the scapula, the back of the saddle does not encroach into the lumbar region and balance is good.

x

x

Check the Balance

The cantle of the saddle should sit about

1inch/2.5cm higher than the pommel.

The lowest part of the seat should be parallel to

the ground.

Balance

The saddle is sitting in correct balance. The cantle about an inch above the pommel; the lowest part of the seat sitting parallel to the ground so the rider’s weight is being taken most sympathetically on the horse’s back.

This saddle is sitting “cantle low”. The pommel is level or higher than the cantle causing the rider’s weight to be taken too far back. This can totally destabilize the saddle and cause pressure at the back of the saddle and friction throughout. It may incline the saddle to slip forward.

This saddle in sitting “cantle high”. The cantle is considerably higher than the pommel causing the rider’s weight to be taken across the front third of the saddle. This can cause excessive pressure from the points of the tree & stirrup bar and friction & concussion at the back of the saddle.

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x

Check the Clearance

Make sure that there is sufficient clearance

between the withers and the arch of the saddle. It is very important to check the clearance

throughout the channel of the saddle not just at the

front.

Clearance

Insufficient clearance: Balance lost; saddle is sitting too close to the horses wither and spine where all the rider’s weight will be taken.Bad choice for this horse.

Too much clearance: Balance lost; weight taken at the back of the saddle; front destabilized and saddle likely to slip forward. Bad choice for this horse.

Good clearance: good balance. Good choice for this horse.

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x

Check the Points

When you stand by your horse’s side the points of the tree should follow the

contours of the horses outline, running parallel with the area behind the shoulder where they sit.

Check the Contact

Feel underneath the panels to make sure there is contact throughout the

horses back. Pressure should be even and note should be taken of any

light spots or where the saddle feels heavier.

Check the Size

The saddle must be an appropriate size for both

horse and rider . No weight should be taken further

back than the horses 18th thoracic vertebrae (T18). To check this, find the last

rib and follow it up to where it meets the spine –

that’s T18!

Check the width of Channel

Measure the horses spine and then measure the

width of channel.

When correct, you will have the most

sympathetic weight bearing surface on the

horse’s back and will have minimised friction against

the spinous processus.

Does your saddle fit?

Weighted Checks

The Basics

Check the Panels are Even

Stand behind the horse and make sure the panels look even on each side of

the spine and that the saddle isn’t tipping over to

one side.

Check the Stability

When the rider stands in the stirrups the back of the saddle should stay in contact with the

horse’s back.

Looking for this stability when the horse is being ridden and

we have added the dynamic of horse and rider movement is

one of the most important checks.

Check the Riders Balance

Firstly, you must check the saddle is in correct balance and is in the right place on

the horses back.

The rider should be sitting in the lowest part of the seat, not tipping forwards or

backwards and in the correct shoulder-hip-heel line.

Balance, Stability & Clearance

Check the Stability: After the saddle has been ridden on for 10 minutes or more get the rider to stand in their stirrups. Check to make sure the saddle isn’t coming up off the horses back when the rider is in two point position.

Check the Clearance: After the saddle has been ridden on for 10 minutes or more, get the rider to sit on the seat and check the clearance at the front of the saddle. You should be able to see daylight throughout the channel.

Check the Balance: After the saddle has been ridden on for 10 minutes or more, check the balance of the saddle when horse is standing four square on flat, level ground. The cantle should be approx. 2.5cm higher than the pommel if a parallel line was drawn.

National Saddle Centre NZ

For more information, visit our website:

www.nationalsaddlecentre.co.nz