Effects of girth, saddle and weight on movements of the horse.
Authors: de Cocq P, van Weeren P R, Back W
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Effects of girth, saddle and weight on movements of the horse Back pain remains a significant concern in ridden horses, yet surprisingly little direct evidence existed regarding how saddles and rider weight alter spinal mechanics until this 2004 investigation. De Cocq and colleagues used treadmill kinematics to quantify changes in lumbar spine extension and limb movement across walk, trot and canter under four conditions: unloaded, with a lungeing girth alone, with a saddle only, and with a saddle plus 75 kg weight. The combined effect of saddle and weight produced marked changes in back kinematics at walk and trot, with the spine adopting an overall extended posture whilst maintaining the same range of motion—a biomechanical shift accomplished partly through increased forelimb retraction as a compensatory mechanism. At canter, both the saddle alone and saddle with weight induced significant extension, though without affecting limb kinematics. Notably, the girth alone produced no measurable effect at any gait. These findings have important implications for practitioners addressing back pain and kissing spine syndrome: the sustained extension imposed by combined weight and saddle may contribute to soft tissue overload and bony remodelling, suggesting that saddle fit, weight distribution and rider balance deserve closer clinical attention in horses presenting with dorsal problems. Understanding how tack and load alter spinal posture provides a biomechanical framework for preventive management and may help inform decisions about training intensity, saddle design and therapeutic intervention in affected animals.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Saddle fit and rider weight work together to extend the horse's back; poor saddle fit combined with heavier riders may increase injury risk, particularly for kissing spine-prone horses
- •Monitor horses for compensatory forelimb movement patterns when carrying weight, as altered limb kinematics may indicate back stress
- •Consider saddle choice and rider weight distribution as modifiable risk factors in managing horses with back pain or KSS
Key Findings
- •Saddle with 75 kg weight significantly increased overall back extension at walk and trot without changing range of motion
- •Saddle alone and girth alone produced no significant kinematic changes at walk and trot, but both extended the back at canter
- •Forelimb retraction increased as a compensatory mechanism to back extension when weight was applied
- •Back extension induced by weight and saddle may contribute to soft tissue injuries and kissing spine development