| Your horse often shares signs of discomfort if being | | | | balanced saddles distribute weight effectively, but if the |
| forced to wear a saddle that does not fit properly. Of | | | | thing just weighs a ton, it might not be your optimum |
| course any of us are going to notice, and hopefully | | | | choice (especially if your horse is older or if it's young |
| immediately rectify, anything as serious as an actual | | | | and green and still developing). Compare it to a |
| saddle sore or other obvious indications that saddle fit | | | | backpack on a hiker; a heavy, well balanced pack may |
| is compromised. | | | | be more comfortable to carry than a lighter pack that |
| However; less urgent fitting problems can still make | | | | doesn't have optimum weight distribution. However; |
| your horse rather uncomfortable and impede their | | | | you're going to walk carefully with that 100 pound pack |
| movement and ability to balance optimally, especially | | | | on your back. If someone asks you to run across a |
| once we're in the saddle. | | | | field, it's not going to happen (no matter how "well |
| While the withers and top line (along the long back | | | | balanced" or "perfectly distributed" that excessive |
| muscle) are places we often check for soreness, it's | | | | weight may be). |
| also important to feel the horse's shoulders and other | | | | Of course, when you do tighten the cinch (or girth, in |
| areas where the saddle might cause excessive | | | | English disciplines) be sure to do so slowly and gently. |
| pressure. | | | | The first adjustment should tighten the cinch securely |
| Does your horse dance around or whip her head | | | | enough that the saddle won't slide under his belly if the |
| toward you when the saddle is placed on her back? | | | | horse moves quickly; however, you don't want to |
| Does he flinch, wince or kick at his midsection any time | | | | tighten it to the point where it puts too much immediate |
| you lift the saddle onto him? These are indications that | | | | pressure on the horse. Making it too tight too soon will |
| the saddle may not be comfortable for your horse. | | | | make him dread being saddled at all and he may |
| If you have or can create the opportunity to try | | | | develop some challenging and evasive behaviors. |
| different saddles on your horse it's easy to assess if | | | | Clean your horse's feet or do something else for a |
| he moves differerently in different tack. When the | | | | moment after first securing the girth. Make another |
| saddle fits properly, providing you are riding correctly | | | | slight adjustment before you put on his bridle or |
| and have a secure, balanced seat, your horse should | | | | hackamore. After the headstall is in place, just before |
| be very light, forward and fluid. | | | | you mount, go ahead and make your final adjustment |
| Everyone checks the saddle's gullet width to make | | | | of the cinch to be sure it's comfortably secure. |
| sure their saddle does not pinch at the withers and | | | | Some of us may be a little more obtuse and slower |
| assure that it's not so wide that it rubs down on the | | | | on the uptake than others, but your horse's long-term |
| horse's back once rider weight is in the saddle, but | | | | well being is in your hands. Pay attention to any signs |
| there are other important considerations to look at as | | | | that she may be uncomfortable (horses communicate |
| well. | | | | very well once we learn to listen to them) and do your |
| Look at the rigging. If the metal attachments that your | | | | best to provide your horses with tack that gives them |
| latigo or off-billet run through are pushed in or made of | | | | the best opportunity to perform the tasks we ask of |
| metal with thin or sharp edges, that can hurt your | | | | them. |
| horse. No, having a thick pad isn't going to help much. | | | | Interested in televised horse tips and equine |
| Remember that a horse can feel a fly on his body; a | | | | information? Be sure to check out RFD-TV; the |
| sharp metal protusion from your saddle is still going to | | | | network dedicates regular blocks of programming |
| cause discomfort, even if there is a pad under it. | | | | especially for horse owners and horse lovers! Satellite |
| Is the saddle too long? If it's long enough that it puts | | | | TV offers a lot of useful education opportunities. |
| pressure on his lumbar vertebrae (which are thin, flat | | | | Television; it's not just for entertainment any more. See |
| and shell like - and NOT meant to bear weight at all) | | | | what you can learn about saddle fit and other |
| you're hurting him. | | | | equestrian issues by checking out RFD-TV! |
| How heavy is the saddle? Yes, well made, well | | | | |