Fit for purpose

Even when you start with a perfectly fitting saddle, things change as your horse's musculature develops and the saddle itself may suffer wear and tear. Carol Phillips learns how to assess fit in between professional checks

- Carol Phillips

DO you know if your saddle really fits? Many owners have been through the financial minefield of buying saddle after saddle as they attempt to find the ideal fit for both themselves and their horse – and yes the ideal saddle does need to suit both of you.

Regular, at least six-monthly, checks by a professional saddle fitter should be part of your horse’s standard maintenance schedule, but there are things that horse owners can – and should – do to monitor their saddle’s fit in between such visits, with some red flags to look out for that signal adjustment is needed sooner.

To learn more, I attended The College of Saddle Fitting’s one-day course, Saddle Fitting for Horse Owners.

As the college’s director Rachel Sivier – a veterinary physiotherapist and master saddle fitting consultant – says: “No one brand of saddle suits all horses. The best saddle for your horse is the one that fits.”

WHERE TO START

TO begin, run your hands over your horse’s back, sides and girth area to check for any signs of sensitivity. These might include them moving away from your touch, repeatedly twitching the skin, abruptly bringing their head towards you, trying to bite, lifting a leg or swishing the tail. While you may consider some of these behaviours “normal” for your horse, do not ignore them as they are useful signs of some level of discomfort.

Then take your saddle and check that the tree is sound by placing the cantle against your stomach, put your hand either side of the pommel at the front and pull firmly towards you. Any significant movement or noise suggests a damaged tree, which will need to be assessed by a professional before use.