Saddle fit:Most riders don’t really think about saddle fit until a specific pain appears in their horse. Sometimes a horse who suddenly resists going forward, or feels tight through the back, or is unable to establish a rhythm may not have a training problem at all. For most cases, the saddle is actually just completely wrong for the shape or movement of the horse.
Investing some effort in the selection of a good saddle can enhance comfort, facilitate better performance and help achieve a more pleasurable riding experience for both horse and rider.
Every Horse Is Different
Each horse is built a little differently. The fit of a saddle is influenced by many factors, including breed, age, muscle development for an activity, fitness and body condition.
What works for one horse as a saddle may cause pressure or imbalance on another horse. Horses of the same breed can have totally different shapes to their backs, angles to shoulders, and wither heights.
Horses grow and change physically as they are developing or as their work loads increase. As such, a saddle that was perfect 12 months ago may not feel right today.
Considering saddle fit always needs to start from the perspective of the individual horse before applying any general sizing.
Knowing What a Good Fit Will Look Like
Comfort: A saddle that fits correctly should sit comfortably across the horse's back without placing excessive pressure on the shoulders, spine or withers. It needs to stay balanced but give the horse freedom of movement through each stride.
You are also trained that the rider's weight should be evenly distributed to avoid too much pressure on one part of the back.
In general, horses tend to move more comfortably when the fit is right and hold a better outline in their work. They are generally more inclined to respond than if they were distracted by discomfort.
Even little adjustments to saddles can make each ride much more manageable.
How Do You Know That Your Saddle Is Not The Right One
Often our equine friends are able to speak discomfort into existence only through subtle changes in behaviour and physicality rather than the overt signs we expect.
Some common indicators include:
- reluctance to move forward
- shortened or uneven strides
- resistance during transitions
- difficulty maintaining a consistent contact
- head tossing
- tail swishing
- sensitivity when being saddled
- uneven sweat marks after riding
These behaviours do not necessarily indicate a training issue. Frequently, they will point to the fact that we need a saddle check done prior to ruling out anything else.
If you are trained to recognise these indicators in the early stages, annoying nuisances can become major problems.
Naming your saddle after you ride
Your saddle choice should also depend on the type of riding you do.
Different disciplines including dressage, show jumping, eventing, trail riding, endurance riding and general recreational riding exert different stresses on horse and rider. With consideration of these disciplines, saddles are designed to meet varying levels of support, balance and rider position.
It will enable the horse and rider to work together in a more comfortable manner, so find a saddle that matches your riding style. This will also enhance stability, and doesn't feign communication throughout rides.
Mitey-eight Choosing A Saddle By Price
Here, price is one of the first things these riders take into account, but it must never be the only consideration. Just like with any pricing, a high priced saddle is not automatically right and an inexpensive saddle is not automatically bad either.
Your saddle should fit your horse comfortably and the anatomy of the saddle should not inhibit you from riding effectively. A saddle that is comfortable, balanced and correctly fitted is often a better investment in the long-run than one simply because it looks/svelte or costs less.
Comparing different options will allow you to make the most informed decision possible and avoid unnecessary adjustments.
Why Are Saddle Checks Important?
The correct saddle is just the start. Horses legitimately change shape as they gain muscle, have better fitness levels or experience weight fluctuations over the seasons.
Postural changes inevitably impact on the way a saddle sits on a horse's back, and it may well have fitted perfectly when purchased.
Regular saddle checks allow small fitting issues to be addressed long before comfort or performance are affected. They also enable riders to make small tweaks that keep horse and rider working comfortably throughout the seasons.
Most professional riders routinely check saddles fit during horse care.
The Value of Professional Advice
Although there are plenty of simple checks that riders can do themselves, a professional opinion can offer up a much better overview.
A seasoned saddle fitter knows the ways in which the way a saddle is designed impacts horses depending on their body shape and workload. They can point out pressure points, assess balance and suggest modifications that could enhance comfort.
Consultations are especially beneficial when acquiring a new saddle, rehabbing a horse or identifying subtle changes in movement or behaviour.
Even Australian riders also require expert advice as well as good saddlery products appropriate to a wide range of horses and riding disciplines, which leads them in search of expert saddlery specialists such as at Saddleworld Dural.
Horse Types: A Comfortable Horse Is a More Confident Horse
Comfort actually has a direct effect on the foundational element of confidence. A horse that is comfortable under saddle, usually is more willing to go forward, stay relaxed and respond consistently when responding to the rider's aids.
It makes for a much better horse/rider partnership. Shifting is more precise, gear changes are seamless, and riding in the real world is just generally more fun.
While each horse is different, using equipment that accommodates natural movement gives the horse and rider combination the best chance of performing their best.
Final Thoughts
But, picking a saddle is much more than just picking size. This relates to the shape of your horse, your discipline and how the saddle holds its position throughout regular work.
It supports movement in all places, leads to more effective communication and promotes the long-term wellbeing of both rider and horse. Watching for subtle alterations in your horse's movement or behaviour can help you spot when a revaluation of your current setup is needed.
Whether you are new to riding or a veteran of many years, taking the time to find the right saddle for your horse is one of the best decisions that you can ever make. When a horse is comfortable he remains relaxed, confident, and willing to perform. This makes; every ride safer, more enjoyable, and more rewarding for Horse and Human alike!