While you have been relaxing and eating a bit too much over the Christmas period, the same may be true of your horse. It’s time to check that your saddle is fitting your horse correctly
As a part of your start of year routine you should check that your saddle is fitting your horse correctly and take steps to address any problems before the season starts. Saddle fitting not only involves the correct fit for the horse but more importantly the correct shape and balance to enable us to ride at the best of our ability. A poor fitting or out of balance saddle doesn't hurt a horse until we add our weight and ride in it.
Here are five rules to help you establish if your saddle is fitting properly; if the saddle complies with these five rules it should be properly positioned and be comfortable for the horse.
Tree size
If a saddle is correctly positioned the tree will extend parallel to the back of the horse and as close as possible to it.
Consideration for the horse's backbone and withers
The width between the saddle panels must make proper allowance for the horse's spine and not bear down on it under the weight of the rider. The size of the front arch of the saddle must be such as to enable compliance with the age-old "4 fingers" rule (corresponding to about 5cm) between the pommel and the wither of the horse.
Balancing
Once the right tree size has been found, the next step is to ensure the saddle is properly balanced. When it rests in position, the saddle must conform to the horse's back in a way that evenly distributes the weight of the rider over the entire surface and so prevents it bearing down too much to the front (the scapula bones of the horse) or to the back (the loins of the horse).
Contact by the panels
The panels must, in their entirety and along their full length, form a snug fit with the horse's back. This will ensure proper distribution of the weight of the rider.
Symmetry
Look at the horse from the rear and check that the saddle rests parallel to the backbone of the horse and is positioned symmetrically about it.
