One of the most important things for a healthy riding horse is how the saddle fits. It does not matter is you ride in an English or Western saddle.
A sore back means the experience of being ridden is a negative one and will make your horse unhappy and difficul to ride. by making sure the saddle fits properly you can help ensure your horse will go better and have a more positive attitude towards his work. Here are some tips to help you check your saddle.
First, make sure there is enough clearance at the withers and that the saddle does not come in contact with any part of the horse's spine. One way to check this is to put the saddle on the horse's back without a saddle pad and see if you can see all the way through from front to the back. Make sure there is plenty of room because the space will compress with your weight in the saddle.
There should also be no pinching at the shoulders. They should be able to move freely without being blocked or binding.
If you run your hand under the length of the saddle while it is on your horse's back, the pressure between the saddle and the horese's body should feel smooth and even, not tight in spots and loose in others.
Also check your girth, It should not pinch or bind. An ill fitting girth can contribute to saddle sores.
Remember, one of the best things you can do for your horse is have a professional come out and check how the saddle fits. Often times even a saddle that fits poorly can be custom-fitted to your house by a professional saddle fitter for a very reasonable amount of money. Spending $50-150 on getting your saddle fitted is still much cheaper than a new saddle or an unhappy unproductive horse.
Happy trails!
