CHAPTER 105 Assessing Saddle Fit in Performance Horses
Back pain is a common problem in athletic horses and is associated with signs that range from mild discomfort to pain severe enough to incite dangerous behavior. This chapter addresses the role of saddle fit in the equine back pain conundrum.
STRUCTURE AND FIT OF THE SADDLE
The tree of an English saddle may be rigid (non–spring tree) or somewhat flexible (spring tree). The arch supports the pommel, the points extend downward from the arch to stabilize the front of the saddle across the withers, the bars support the stirrup leathers, and the cantle underlies the seat (see Figure 105-1). Some saddle makers recess the bars inward to enhance the rider’s comfort but, if recessed too far, they can pinch the horse’s back muscles in the area behind the withers. The panels, which are the weight-bearing part of an English saddle, separate the rigid tree from the soft and deformable back muscles. They should be long and broad to spread the weight over a large area, with their slope matching the curvature of the horse’s back in both craniocaudal and mediolateral directions (Figure 105-2).
The panels are flocked (stuffed) with shock-absorbing material, such as wool, synthetic fleece, foam, horsehair, or air. There should be sufficient flocking to give a firm, resilient feel without any lumps. Insufficiently flocked panels may not conform to the shape of the horse’s back or absorb energy. Overflocking produces hard, bulging panels with small contact areas on the horse’s back. It is usually necessary to have the flocking adjusted within the first year of use and periodically thereafter. In an English saddle, the girth attaches to the billet straps, which vary in number and direction of attachment to allow flexibility in saddle placement.