Fitting a Saddle
Fitting a saddle correctly involves two major parts; one of which a great deal of equestrians tend to neglect. While many riders and handlers are primarily concerned with making sure the saddle fits their seat, is of a style suited to them, and is comfortable and safe, the second major part is the horse’s comfort- which is the part of fitting a saddle that is often overlooked or incorrectly adjusted for. In fact, it should be stressed that fitting a saddle for the animal’s comfort and safety is at least as important as fitting for the rider; and perhaps even more so. This is because horses were never designed for and certainly did not evolve to carry a human on their backs. So while an incorrectly fitted saddle can be a nuisance to a human, it can actually prove detrimental to the very health and well-being of the horse. For this reason, responsible horse owners owe it to their equine friends to ensure that the saddle is fitted correctly for both horse and rider.
There are many vital elements to consider when fitting a saddle for any horse. Regardless of the discipline or work to be performed, there are issues that affect both horse and rider that will dictate what kind of saddle to use, and how to fit it correctly. One key point to account for is the skill level of the rider. A rider who is very experienced will naturally have a better seat and posture than one who is not. This is an important consideration, as inexperienced riders will show less balance in the saddle, causing the saddle to shift and the weight of the rider to be of inconsistent or incorrect proportions across the horse’s back. This can cause pressure to sensitive areas such as the spine or withers, and may result in injury to the animal. In cases such as these, it may be a wise idea to consider a saddle that more evenly distributes weight over the back, and to place the rider and horse on the longe line to better develop the rider’s technique.
A poorly fitted saddle can make an exceptional horse seem dull or even troublesome. Many horse owners and handlers have spent countless hours in frustration with an animal, only to discover that changing the saddle or refitting it completely resolves any riding or performance issues. So before you give up on a horse, try using the following fitting techniques on the saddle you are currently using. If the problems are still not alleviated, it may be time to buy a more appropriate saddle for your horse.
There are four major points to consider when fitting a saddle. The first is the withers. Horses that are built well will have withers that are approximately level with the highest point of the rump. However, this is not the case with a large number of horses, and in such instances a horse with abnormally high, low, or nonexistent withers may require a custom saddle to be made. In any case, the fit of a saddle can be confirmed at the point of the withers by placing the saddle on the horse with no pad underneath. You should be able to stick 2-4 fingers in between the withers and the gullet. If the gap is too tight or too wide, then the saddle is not fitted correctly and may cause damage to the withers.
The second point is the shoulders. In order to fit the saddle at the shoulders, the saddle should be placed on the animal with a pad underneath. Your hand should be able to fit between the saddle lining and the shoulder. If not, the saddle is fitted incorrectly, and may cause soreness to the muscular areas of the shoulders, or may cause impeded movement of the shoulders by the tree of the saddle. One way to ensure that the shoulders are not encountering problems with the saddle tree is to have someone sit in the saddle. Then, you should lift the foreleg and pull it forward while sliding your fingers in between the top of the shoulder blade and the pommel. If your fingers fit, then there are very likely no shoulder impediments. Check for this issue carefully, as impeded shoulder movement can ruin the ride for both horse and rider.
The third and perhaps most important point is the spine. Weight placed directly on the spine at any point can cause an entire host of problems for the horse, some of which may start at the back and reach all the way down to the feet. For this reason, saddles have been designed with gullets that bridge the spine and prevent any direct pressure from being exerted upon it. One good way to check that your saddle is fitted correctly in relation to the spine is to look for sweat marks. If fitted correctly, the spine will be completely dry, as there will be no weight centered directly over it. Another way to ensure proper saddle fit is to stand at the back of the horse with the saddle on. You should be able to look through the saddle, as the gullet will provide a touch-free area underneath the saddle.
The fourth point is the loins and hip. The back of the saddle should be separated from the hips by at least four inches. Additionally, the skirt should align with the contour of the back without extending beyond the loins. Saddles that are incorrectly fitted over the hips and loins can prevent proper movement, and may eventually cause the horse to develop severe issues with muscular soreness and even lameness.
Most tack shops will allow you to try saddles out, as it is well understood that finding the right fit for both you and your horse is not an easy task, and all concerned horsemen should be sensitive to the issues caused by incorrectly fitted saddles. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask to try multiple saddles in an effort to find the right one. The “trying out” can begin in the tack shop by testing your seat in the saddle before you ever bring it home to your horse. Remember that you should be able to fit at least three fingers in front of and behind your seat if the saddle is the correct size for you. Also, keep in mind that different style saddles may fit you in different ways, so just because you’ve ridden with one saddle that was, say, a 17, doesn’t mean that a saddle of different styling or type won’t require that you purchase an 18. Saddle fit is a very individual issue.
Observant horse owners will know when their saddle is not fitted correctly, as there are rather obvious signs that a horse will use to indicate this. These signs may include the following:
*Refusal to be saddled.
*Fidgeting during mounting.
*Head tossing.
*Bucking.
*Performance issues.
*Sensitive back upon palpitation or brushing.
*Raw areas or injuries to withers, shoulder blades, or spinal area.
Some horses will be outright unruly if their saddle is fitted incorrectly, and become quite docile when the issue is resolved. Always give your horse the benefit of the doubt: if it has behavioral or performance issues, be certain to test for causes of this by examining the fit of the saddle, the fit and wear of shoes, and health and injury concerns. Horses in general are very eager to work and please, and typically problems are caused by situations we place them in, such as riding in an improperly fitted saddle. For this reason, do be sure to take the time to make sure that the saddle you use is fitted for the safety and comfort of both yourself and your horse.
