Why Holistic Saddle Fit Matters
Holistic Saddle Fit encompases the whole pictute of Horse, confirmation, Saddle, and Rider. As Galadriel Billington in her book ‘Saddlefitting Essentials for the Horse Lover’ wisely says, “Your horse doesn’t know that the saddle shouldn’t hurt.” Imagine using a tennis racquet too heavy for you or walking all day in shoes that are too small. The discomfort is unbearable, yet we often expect our horses to perform under similar conditions due to poorly fitting saddles.
A correctly fitted saddle is crucial for equine welfare, just as it is for a rider’s comfort. Equine welfare isn’t just about rescuing neglected horses; it’s about preventing pain and discomfort. Many horses develop behavioural problems due to saddle-related pain, which can be misinterpreted as disobedience. By understanding the signs of poor saddle fit, we can ensure our horses are comfortable, happy, and willing partners.
Signs You Didn’t Get An Holistic Saddle Fit
If your horse displays any of the following behaviours, it may be suffering from back pain or an ill-fitting saddle:
- Avoids being saddled or turns away when approached with the saddle
- Objects to the girth being tightened (e.g., biting, turning head, or fidgeting)
- Struggles to stand still when being mounted
- Displays hypersensitivity to grooming
- Shows a ‘bad attitude’ or resistance during training
- Bucks, rolls excessively, or refuses jumps
- Appears stiff, reluctant to stride out, or slow to warm up
- Stumbles, trips, or exhibits lameness
- Struggles with straightness, impulsion, or collection
- Rushes downhill or pulls uphill with excessive front-end effort
- Regularly bucks, rears, or refuses transitions
These are just a few indicators that something may be wrong with the saddle fit. If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to long-term physical and psychological damage.
Signs Your Saddle Doesn’t Fit You
Poor saddle fit doesn’t just affect the horse—it can also impact the rider’s biomechanics and overall riding experience. If you experience any of the following, your saddle may not be right for you:
- Lower back pain or stiff neck
- Numbness or pins and needles in the legs
- Sore knees, ankles, or Achilles tendons
- Hip cramping or seat bone discomfort
- Difficulty maintaining balance in the saddle
- Trouble sitting or rising to the trot
- Excessive fatigue in abdominal muscles
- Any chafing, rubbing or bruising in areas of contact with the saddle
Just as a properly fitted saddle ensures your horse’s comfort and performance, it also allows you to ride in balance and harmony.
How Do You Know If Your Saddle Fits Correctly?
Many riders assume their saddle fits simply because their horse doesn’t have visible back soreness. However, horses are incredibly tolerant animals, often masking their pain until it becomes unbearable. That’s why a thorough assessment is essential. Here are key questions to ask:
- Does your horse remain calm when you approach with the saddle?
- If your horse lays back its ears, moves nervously, chews anxiously, or stamps its feet, these are signs of discomfort.
- Does your horse remain relaxed when the saddle is placed on its back?
- Signs of distress include ear pinning, head shaking, back arching, or attempting to bite the saddle.
- Does your horse tolerate girthing without resistance?
- Watch for signs such as holding its breath, kicking out, hollowing its back, or shifting weight uncomfortably.
- Is the saddle’s balance point aligned with your horse’s natural balance?
- If the lowest point of the saddle seat does not match the horse’s natural balance point, it is likely to put you either in front of or behind your horse’s movement and cause discomfort.
- Does the saddle move with or against your horse’s movement?
- A poorly fitting saddle may result in difficulty maintaining rhythm, resistance to aids, unexplained behavioural issues, or incorrect engagement of the hindquarters.
- Do you find the saddle comfortable?
- Riders often settle for ‘good enough’ without realising they are experiencing pain or discomfort. If you suffer from soreness, chafing, or bruising, it’s time for a proper saddle assessment.
Check these pages for additional information:
The Holistic Saddle Fit Approach
Holistic Saddle Fitting takes into account the entire partnership—horse, rider, and saddle. As I explain in my course – Identifying the Horse’s Saddle Fit Area, “We are trying to fit a static object (the saddle) between two dynamic objects (horse and rider).” No saddle will fit perfectly at all times, as horses undergo seasonal and biomechanical changes as do riders. However, a holistic approach ensures that the saddle promotes, rather than hinders, your horse’s natural movement.
The 5-Step Holistic Saddle Fit System includes:
- Horse Assessment – Examining musculature, posture, healthy biomechanics and hoof balance and identifying the horses saddlefit characteristics.
- Saddle Assessment – Checking the saddle for wear, damage, identifying the saddles saddlefit characteristics.
- Static Assessment – Evaluating saddle fit while the horse is stationary.
- Motion Assessment – Observing the saddle’s impact on the horse in motion.
- Ridden Assessment – Assessing the horse, and saddle as a unit and this also includes the rider’s posture and alignment off the horse and the rider’s saddlefit characteristics).
Skipping any of these steps can lead to an uncomfortable, unhappy horse and/or rider.
Commit to Your Horse’s Comfort
If you suspect your saddle may not be the right fit, don’t ignore the signs. Your horse deserves a comfortable, correctly fitted saddle that allows it to move freely and happily. A holistic saddle fit isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about creating a partnership based on trust, comfort, and performance.
Are you ready to ensure your horse’s comfort? There are more articles on our website to help you to learn more about correct saddle fitting and how you can build a better connection with your horse.
By understanding the importance of holistic saddle fitting, you can improve your riding experience and your horse’s well-being. A correctly fitted saddle isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for both horse and rider to thrive together.