Does Saddle Seat Size Affect Horse?

A too-long seat can interfere with the hindquarter muscles and compromise your horse’s performance. That is why both the rider and horse must be well matched in size and shape, as well as saddle to horse and rider.

Is it better for a saddle to be too big or too small?

In general, it’s better to have a saddle a smidgen too big than a smidgen too small. (A smaller saddle may cause uncomfortable chafing.)

Can a saddle be too big for a horse?

A horse ridden in a saddle that is too long will often tighten his lower back muscles; in some cases, you can actually see the horse hollow and drop his back in an attempt to get away from the pressure of the saddle. He may even buck in extreme cases, in an effort to get the weight off his lumbar area.

How saddle fit affects the horse?

For example, if the gullet is too narrow, the saddle will create pressure points up and down the spine. If the opening of the gullet area is too narrow, there will be pressure points all around the withers. The effect is a bit like a clothes pin, it is very painful for the horse.

What happens if your saddle is too big for you?

A saddle that is too big will cause the rider to move around too much in the saddle, making you insecure and ineffective, as well as encouraging a chair seat as your seat bones slide back towards the centre of the saddle and your knees forward to the blocks, Poppy cautions.

How do I know if my saddle seat is too small?

Slide the saddle into place, and then slip your fingers between the gullet and the horse’s withers. A good fit — Two to three fingers’ width is just about right. Too narrow — If you can fit your whole hand in between the withers and saddle gullet, the tree is too narrow.

How do I know what size saddle my horse needs?

Check the front of the saddle, where the saddle slightly goes over the withers. Make sure you can fit 2-3 fingers in between the horse’s withers and the front of the saddle. If you can fit less than 2 fingers between the saddle and the withers, the saddle is probably too wide for your horse.

What size horse does a 17.5 saddle fit?

A good rule of thumb is that an English saddle seat size will run around two inches larger than a Western saddle. So, if you ride a 15.5” Western saddle, you will likely need a 17.5” English saddle.

How do I know if my horse saddle is too wide?

Look at the angle of the point of the saddle, and look at the angle of the horses shoulder. You should be able to see if the point is following the shape of the horse, or if it is sticking inwards (too narrow), or if it is sticking outwards (too wide). You should be looking at the angle of the POINT, not the panel.

Can a saddle make a horse lame?

Poor saddle fitting can cause many lameness and movement problems that are often blamed on farriers. When an extra pad is necessary, a saddle does not fit properly. A lack of sweat under the saddle that is viewed immediately after a ride indicates too much pressure in those areas.

What can poor saddle fit cause?

Muscle atrophy can occur when an unbalanced saddle puts too much pressure on a particular area. The horse tries to avoid the pressure, goes into “defensive mode” by contracting the particular muscle and surrounding muscles, and can even alter his gaits.

How important is saddle width?

After choosing a saddle material, padding and shape, it is important to choose an optimal saddle width. A saddle that is too wide can cause thigh chafing and irritation, while a too narrow one can cause discomfort in the pubic area.

What happens if your saddle doesnt fit your horse?

A saddle which does not fit correctly may cause discomfort by putting pressure on your horse’s back, causing him to buck during a ride. While bucking can also be a training issue, you should rule out a badly fitted saddle.

What happens if a saddle is too small?

If a heavier rider sits in a saddle which is too small, the rider has no chance for a pliable seat and therefore doubles her natural weight. She is not able to swing through her back nor harmonize with the swinging of the horse`s back.

Does a high saddle cause back pain?

A high saddle can also cause back pain and can be observed by the pelvis rocking or sliding side to side as the rider attempts to reach the bottom of the pedal stroke.

What happens if the saddle is too far back horse?

A saddle positioned too far back tends to sit on the “floating ribs”. This is the “bucking reflex point” – pressure on these unsupported ribs causes considerable discomfort, which can lead to bucking as the horse tries to alleviate the pressure.

What size saddle does a 14.2 horse need?

Standard “pony size” saddle pads are generally designed to fit the 13 hand to 14.2 hand pony.

How do I choose saddle width?

When you stand up there should be two depressions left by your sit bones. Measure the distance between the centres of the depressions and add 25 to 30mm to find your ideal saddle width.

What does a 17.5 saddle mean?

A leg/seat measurement of 21.5-23 inches equals a 17.5-inch saddle. •A leg/seat measurement larger than 23 inches will fit an 18-inch or 19-inch saddle.

Is 17.5 hands a big horse?

Light riding horses are typically 14–16 hands (1.42–1.63m), larger riding horses are 15.2–17 hands (1.57–1.73m), and heavy or draft horses are usually 16–18 hands (1.63–1.83m). Growth can also be influenced by genetics and nutrition.

What is the most common injury in horseback riding?

The majority of injuries in horseback riding occur to the head, trunk, and upper extremities. Predominant types of injury include head injury, fracture, and soft tissue injury. Head injury accounts for 50% of horse-related injuries leading to hospitalization.