A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses.
Authors: MacKechnie-Guire Russell, Fisher Mark, Mathie Helen, Kuczynska Kat, Fairfax Vanessa, Fisher Diana, Pfau Thilo
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Saddle fit represents a critical concern in equine practice, yet non-invasive assessment tools remain limited; this study investigated whether thermal imaging could reliably identify problem pressure areas beneath the saddle by comparing surface temperature changes with direct pressure measurements in eight non-lame sports horses. Researchers used infrared thermography to track minimum, maximum and mean temperatures across the thoracic region at baseline, post-lunging and post-ridden exercise, whilst simultaneously measuring saddle pressure distribution (mean and peak values in cranial and caudal regions) using a pressure-sensitive mat across three saddle widths (correct fit, wide and narrow). Whilst saddle width did produce statistically significant differences in both mean (p = 0.05) and peak pressures (p = 0.01), thermal activity increased substantially after both lunging and ridden work (p ≤ 0.0001 compared to baseline), but crucially showed no meaningful correlation with actual pressure values—suggesting that surface temperature elevation reflects general exercise-induced heating rather than localised pressure problems. These findings have important implications for practitioners: thermal imaging alone cannot reliably diagnose saddle fit issues or pressure-related discomfort, and relying solely on thermography for saddle assessment may result in missing genuine pressure distribution problems or over-interpreting normal thermal responses to exercise. A multi-modal approach combining pressure mapping, thermography and clinical assessment remains the most robust strategy for identifying saddle-related concerns in sports horses.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Thermal imaging alone should not be relied upon as a primary tool for saddle fitting—pressure mapping provides additional critical information that thermography cannot capture.
- •While saddle width significantly affects pressure distribution, temperature changes post-exercise may reflect normal physiological responses rather than pathological pressure effects.
- •Consider using combined thermal and pressure assessment methods when evaluating saddle fit, as each provides different diagnostic information.
Key Findings
- •Maximum temperatures increased significantly post-lunge (p ≤ 0.0001) and post-ridden exercise (p ≤ 0.0001) compared to baseline, with no difference between lunge and ridden conditions.
- •Saddle width significantly affected both cranial/caudal mean pressures (p = 0.05) and peak saddle pressures (p = 0.01).
- •Thermal activity measured by thermography did not correlate with increased saddle pressure values, suggesting thermal imaging alone is insufficient for saddle fitting assessment.
- •The study used a single rider across all eight non-lame sports horses with simultaneous thermal and pressure mat measurements at three timepoints.