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5 Signs that Your Saddle Is Not Fitting Properly

Many conditions can arise from an improperly fitting saddle. Both horse and human are prone to suffering the effects of an ill fitting saddle. An improper fit of the saddle has the potential to create proximal injury, distal bracing or an entire change in the way of going for not only the horse, but the rider as well.


#1 Hotspots: Repeated application of force on a small surface area over a long period of time will create wear on the tissue if the tissue does not repair itself at a greater rate than it is being stressed. When this injury occurs from equipment like a saddle due to compressive or shear force the area contacting the individual is called a hotspot. Such examples of proximal pathology due to a hotspot include white or brittle hair resulting from damage to hair follicles, damage to sudoriferous (sweat) glands resulting in inability to perspire in the damaged area, sores, and edema. Most commonly this damage is seen in the withers as a result of repeated application of pressure in which a saddle is too narrow in the tree point, confining the bearing surface to the lateral edge of the points. This is also a common condition among closed cell foam jumping saddles where the twist is thinly padded to create a closer feel for the rider.

Saddle hotspots from poorly fitting saddles
Saddle Hotspots

#2 Urinary/Reproductive Issues: In the horse/rider team, repeated application of force on a small surface area over a long period of time can cause discomfort and even chronic injury to the human resulting in conditions such as bladder infection and impotence. The female morphology of the pelvis has a lower pubic symphysis that has the potential to rub against the twist and pommel of the saddle that is on a unaccommodating saddle for the rider. This hotspot may cause irritation and swelling of the dermis of the urethra. The abrasion itself may become infected especially when coupled with garments that do not breathe such as a nylon or polyester as opposed to breathable cotton. As a result of not being able to fully empty the bladder, the bladder itself may swell from irritation leading once again to infection. Impotence or erectile dysfunction can be the result of development of a hotspot under the perineum of the rider, leading to scar tissue formation and lack of blood flow through the artery that leads to the penis. (Schleese) This can be due to the shape of the twist or attributed to the riders motion in the saddle. A rider who is forced to compensate his or her leg position due to an appropriately positioned stirrup bar will have their seat position thrown out of balance, causing similar improper seat contact and motion in the saddle.


#3 Bracing/Hollowing/Guarding: The effect of hot spots are proximal but can affect distal areas due to guarding. Guarding is a sympathetic autonomic behavior in which the nervous system sends signals to limit muscle movement. Kissing spine is one such example that may have its roots in pained, guarded posture as a result of poor fit. Kissing spine can have many origins related to ill fit. A hotspot very near the spinous process, medial to the transverse process of the vertebrae, can cause this spasming and long-term bracing. Mid thoracic spinous processes are forced closer together, being more likely to cause the beginnings of kissing spine.


A direct cause of bracing may come when a saddle still bridges when the horse is in working frame. During static fit, the saddle may have less contact with the horse in the mid panel. This may allow full contact when the horse is in work, but if the horse is unable to collect because of a condition such as kissing spine, or has a rider who is incapable of asking for collection, then the static bridging to that degree is inappropriate. A more indirect but common path to low back compression can begin with limited functionality of the shoulder sling. When the horse does not properly contract the shoulder sling, the motion looks downhill.


By training the horse to push upward with its forelimbs, the withers can raise to the same height or higher than the coup and the hind legs can then function optimally to create uphill propulsion. Improper engagement of the hind increases the likelihood of overwork and injury as single muscle groups work to drive the horse forward. Without full engagement of the shoulder sling, the horse is left to compensate by overworking the hind end. A too wide or narrow tree, a saddle that slides forward, and/or twisted saddle can all impede the scapula and thus shut down full engagement. Hollowing of the posterior wither or any asymmetrical muscling may be indication that the body has had a saddle that caused the contraction of this chain or that the horse’s body has changed independently of the saddle but now requires temporary adjustment of the saddle by way of shims or pads. While other professionals attempt to resolve the root of the issue, a farrier, veteran, trainer, or body worker will appreciate a saddle fitter that keeps the horse’s saddle from becoming an obstacle on his way to progress.


Hollowing: Poor Saddlefit
Hollowing: Poor Saddlefit

#4 Stress Lines: Abdominal stress lines are another example of a point of pressure or sheer affecting areas distal to the hot spot. “The abdominal stress line is also formed from repeated triggering of a negative reflex point over the loin. The horse will hyperextend the topline and contract the muscle (also cutaneous trunci) under the skin and along the external abdominal oblique. This does not result in the “nice” abdominal line you may see in a horse that is correctly engaging its topline and its core.” (Robinson) A palpation examination distinguishes the abdominal stress line from athletic muscling by assessing the reactivity of the loin. A saddle that is too long for the horse and crosses the 18th rib can be the culprit as can a narrow gullet that sits over the transverse process of the spine or anything that takes away full panel contact with the bearing area of the cantle area such as trees or panels that are either too wide or narrow.

Stress lines Caused by Poor Saddlefit
Stress lines Caused by Poor Saddlefit

#5 High/Low Heel Syndrome: One of the most insidious conditions and its progress towards evenness may be impeded by or arise from a poorly fitting saddle. As with any saddle related conditions, the cause and effect may be correlated, but not advised to be stated outright as objective. There is however evidence that myofacial movement chains when in static contraction can result in the high/low syndrome or visa versa. If one of the spiral lines is statically contracted the neck will flex laterally in extension and the opposite scapula and front limb will be forced close to the thorax in retraction and abduction leading to restriction in protraction and abduction. The thorax will rotate and flex laterally to the same side as the neck is laterally flexed. This will force the weight on the previously mentioned front limb (opposite to the lateral flexion) which restricts the shoulder movement on that side. As the limb is in retraction, the weight is carried more by the toe and the hoof tends to grow higher in the heel and become narrower. As the opposite front limb is in protraction most of the weight is on the heel and more often that hoof may tend to get longer in the toe and lower in the heel.” (Schultz)


High Low Syndrome From Poorly Fitting Saddle
High Low Syndrome From Above

High Low Syndrome from Poor Saddlefit
High Low Syndrome from Poor Saddlefit


 

For more information:

Schleese, Jochen. Suffering in Silence. 2013: pg 54-55.

Robson, Joanna L. Recognizing the Horse in Pain and What to Do About It. March 2013: pg 76.

Schultz, Rilke M DVM. Equine Myofacial Kinetic Lines. 2021: pg 115


 

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1 comentario


seedtoheartnj
05 oct 2023

Thanks for sharing this informative and helpful information. My horse has signs of poor saddlefit and this confirms my suspicions.

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