How often should a saddle fit be checked?

We recommend that a professional assessment of the fit is carried out at least twice a year, three times for competitions horses, to allow for seasonal condition, diet and work changes in your horse's life, which can result in changes to the fit of the saddle.

Flocked panels should have a complete change of wool at least every two years to maintain an even and absorbing contact. For horses in competition this may well be reduced to eighteen months. This is outside of normal adjustment and management of the fit of the saddle.

It is particularly important to have the fit of the saddle checked if there is a major change in how you use your horse, if you progress from light hacking to competition, your horse will increases fitness his muscle structure will alter accordingly, thus altering his shape. The opposite also applies, a competition horse that is changed to light hacking, or a stabled horse that is turned out, will lose condition which will change the fit of his saddle.

Factors that affect the fit of the saddle.

• Always mounting from the ground, on the same side can cause the saddle to sit unevenly over time. It is always preferable to use a mounting block.
• Some riders sit more heavily to one side or collapse a hip putting more weight on one side of the saddle, this can cause the saddle to settle unevenly.
• Changes in type, frequency and amount of work the horse is doing.
• Changes in diet, grazing and turnout.
• Changes in weight and size of the rider, the type of rider, the experience of the rider.
• Seasonal weather changes, horses gain condition in the spring and early summer and lose condition in winter.
• Remember to care for your saddle and use a leather feed or balm regularly. Ensure that the underneath panel leather is not ignored, it is crucial to keep this area supple so that the panel is able to adapt fully to the shape of the horse, this will minimize the risk of pressure points.
• Numnahs & Pads need to be large enough so that the edging is clear of the saddle at all times, to avoid rubbing or chaffing on the bindings.
• Its important to use at least a basic thin numnah at all times to keep the saddle clean, this will stop the panel leather and flocking from absorbing perspiration and dirt, causing the saddle panel to become hard and uncomfortable on the horse.
• When girthing your saddle ensure you use the two outside girth straps, keep the middle strap as a spare. In most circumstances this will ensure the best girth line and keep the saddle more secure.
• Avoid using elastic ended girths on big rotund/fat type horses, one of the best girths to consider for these horses is the Humane type which have self levelling buckle ends.
• If you are using an elastic girth, make sure the elastic has 3 layers of elastic thickness, 2 layers rarely provides enough tension when the girth is tightened. Weak or insufficient elastic can pull saddles off centre and such girths are best avoided.
• Ensure stirrup leathers are even in length

Indications of a badly fitting saddle.

Changes in the horse's behaviour often indicate a sore back, which may be caused by a badly fitting saddle. Signs of back pain include:

• Normally sensible horses may start rushing over jumps, become strong in the mouth
• Reluctant to jump, or canter.
• Bucking is often a sign of pain caused by a badly fitting saddle, as is tail swishing.
• A horse may react when approached with a saddle, or try to nip as it is tacked up.
• Normally easy to catch horses may become difficult or evasive in the field.
• He may 'sink' suddenly when mounted or rush away from the mounting block
• Previously easy loaders suddenly become reluctant to go up the ramp when loading
• Some horses become agitated or nervy when mounted and set off on a hack or to start work.
• He may feel slightly uneven, pottery or obviously worse on one of his leads.
• Excessive movement and poor balance in the saddle

Indications of a well fitted saddle.

• With the rider mounted and without a numnah or pad, there is a minimum of 3 to 4 cm clearance between the underside of the pommel and the top of the horse's spine.
• The points of the tree are parallel to the horse's side
• The points of the tree sit about two to three fingers' width behind the horse's scapula, not on top of it.
• The gullet is wide enough so that the panels sit on either side of the spine, not on it.
• The panels should be smooth and symmetrical and follow the contours of the horse's back to spread the rider's weight evenly.
• The saddle should ride and sit evenly either side of the spine with the riders weight centred.
• The saddle is stable. It does not bounce excessively or slip to one side.
• A well-fitting saddle moves with the horse's motion. A saddle that rocks will often "chase" the rider's seat on a rising trot. That is, the cantle will actually move up faster than the rider and the action of the horse's hip.

Saddle Storage.

Avoid storing your saddle on the common frame type of saddle rack, they crease the panels and distort the pressure immediately behind the shoulder, the most important area of contact in the fit of your saddle. We suggest you consider for example a pole rack or saddle horse.

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