Saddling up your horse is often the most exciting part of the day for riders. The anticipation of hitting the trails or perfecting those jumps is exhilarating. But before you rush into the saddle, have you ever considered whether your horse feels the same excitement? A poorly fitting saddle can turn your horse's enthusiasm into discomfort and, ultimately, distress. In this blog post, we will explore the telltale signs of poor saddle fit and how they affect your equine companion.
- Tightness of Muscle at the Front Edge of the Shoulder Blade:
One of the first signs of poor saddle fit is the tightness of the muscle at the front edge of the shoulder blade. This could be a clear indicator that the gullet plate is pinching at the withers, causing your horse to contract the trapezius muscle to avoid pain.
- Lameness in the Front Legs:
Poor saddle fit can have a direct impact on your horse's gait. If the insertion of the longissimus muscle is pinched at the withers due to improper saddle fit, it can lead to lameness and tripping on the forehand.
- Pinching Withers and Elbow Twitching:
Have you noticed your horse exhibiting unusual behavior, like twitching at the elbow? This is often a reflex response to the pressure of the gullet at the withers, which might be pinching the horse's sensitive wither area.
- Muscle Atrophy in the Loin Area:
An imbalanced saddle can exert excessive pressure on specific areas, prompting your horse to contract muscles to avoid discomfort. Over time, this can lead to muscle atrophy and an alteration in your horse's natural gaits.
- Hair Loss, Blisters, and Skin Issues:
Issues such as hair loss, blisters, and skin problems around the withers or spine are common with poor saddle fit. These problems can result from the gullet channel being too narrow for your horse's back.
- Bucking Reflex Activated by a Long Saddle:
Horses are sensitive creatures, and when the saddle extends beyond the saddle support area, it can trigger the bucking reflex as the horse tries to get rid of the source of pain.
- Atrophy at the Croup:
Constant pressure on the croup area can cause muscle atrophy and damage to hair follicles. While atrophy can be reversed when the saddle fit issue is addressed, the white hairs may remain as a reminder of the problem.
- Energy Blockage to Meridians:
According to Eastern medicine, pressure from the saddle on the meridians can disrupt the flow of life energy, potentially leading to heart, circulatory, and breathing issues.
- Too Narrow Gullet Channel:
A narrow gullet channel can block the movement of the forehand and cause uneven sweating. Ensuring the saddle's gullet channel accommodates the horse's spine and related structures is essential.
- Pinching Girth Shortens Strides:
Girths that are too narrow or short can cut into the pectoralis muscle and cause instability issues, resulting in shorter strides.
Your horse can't verbally communicate its discomfort, so it's up to you as a responsible rider and owner to pay attention to the signs of poor saddle fit. Addressing these issues promptly can make a world of difference for your horse's comfort, health, and performance. By ensuring a well-fitted saddle, you can make every ride an enjoyable experience for both you and your equine companion. After all, a happy horse makes for a happy rider.