18/08/2025
We often talk about saddle fit being connected to both physical and behavioural symptoms in the horse, but instead of listing general signs, why don’t we take it a layer deeper and look at specific symptoms and how they are frequently connected to saddle fit issues.
Before we dive in, a quick but important note: Saddle fit is just one piece of the puzzle.
There are many reasons a horse may move or behave a certain way. It’s essential to rule out other causes with your veterinary and wellness team. But when those have been addressed and saddle fit remains the unresolved factor, here are some common patterns we often see between symptoms and underlying saddle issues.
When we ask our horses to bend, we’re not just looking for the head and neck to turn, we’re asking for lateral flexion through the entire body, requiring spinal mobility and balance.
But what happens when the saddle blocks that movement?
As the horse bends, the saddle, being a rigid structure, doesn’t follow that movement. Instead, it shifts slightly side-to-side, much like a bus turning a corner. If the gullet channel is too narrow, the panels can crush key anatomical structures, including the multifidus muscle, the spinal nerves and the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments.
Pressure on these structures doesn’t just limit mobility, it causes pain, tension, and neurological disruption. In response, the horse will tighten its back muscles to protect the underlying tissues, leading to a hollow posture, resistance, and difficulty bending in one or both directions.
So if your horse feels stiff, one-sided, or avoids bending, check whether the gullet channel clears the spine fully, front to back!
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