18/05/2021
CENTAUR BIOMECHANICS - BLOGS
**DOES SADDLE FIT MATTER FOR YOUNG HORSES?**
Generally, when starting the horse’s education (backing) there is little regard for the fit of the saddle. In most cases (not all), a saddle which appears to “reasonably” fit the young horses back is used – these saddles tend to be well used, and when not required, are placed at the back of the tack room, out of sight. It is important to appreciate that the unbacked horses back and soft tissues have never been exposed to the weight and dynamic forces created by the rider (and saddle). Therefore, if a saddle, which does not fit or distribute forces appropriately is used, the experience that the horse gets when first ridden, will vary considerably to the experience a horse has when ridden in a saddle which is fitted.
Although this may seem overzealous, we must not underestimate the compensatory strategies horses take. We and others have demonstrated the effect that incorrect saddle fit/design can have on saddle pressure distribution, back function, and locomotion. In the case of the young horse, who has not been exposed to the dynamic forces of the rider/saddle and the vertical load applied to its back, when ridden for the first time in a saddle which doesn’t fit, will create high pressures/restrict locomotion. It seems logical to expect, that the horse will develop a locomotor strategy to compensate to alleviate any discomfort caused.
In the case of the young horse, this strategy will be learnt immediately. It remains to be seen how this manifests itself over time. Our understanding on the effect that incorrect saddle fit has increased exponentially, therefore, applying the same principles, the young horse will develop a locomotor strategy (caused here by incorrect saddle fit), which may have been able to be prevented had a correctly fitted saddle been fitted.
Often people say, “I will invest in a saddle once the horse has fully matured”. The financial implications of buying a saddle for a young horse are fully appreciated, especially when horses mature and alter their body shape. Generally it is not viable to have a “made to measure” saddle for a young horse and then replace it as the horse matures and alters body shape.
With the advances of saddle design and technology, there are multiple options for horse owners for example, interchangeable gullet systems. Although the saddle must be professionally fitted, this type of system means that saddles can be fitted to young horses and then altered throughout the horse’s career.
Back related conditions in the horse are increasing which lead to a loss of athletic performance, injury, and lameness etc. Research is underway looking at saddle fitting in relation to young horses however, the question which remains to be answered (which will be in time to come), is does the locomotor compensatory strategy that the horse adopts at the beginning of its riding career cause locomotor asymmetries which can then lead to back / gait related conditions?
In summary – correct saddle fit for young horses is equally as important as correct saddle fit for the mature horse.
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Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire
Centaur Biomechanics
www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk
