Saddle fit and management: An investigation of the association with equine thoracolumbar asymmetries, horse and rider health.
Authors: Greve L, Dyson S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Saddle Fit and Equine Thoracolumbar Health Greve and Dyson's 2015 investigation examined whether saddle fit and management correlate with thoracolumbar asymmetries in horses and concurrent health problems in both equine and human partners. Their mixed-methods approach combined clinical assessment of 205 horses and riders with questionnaire data, evaluating thoracolumbar symmetry, lameness, saddle slip, saddle fit quality, and rider alignment alongside subjective reports from owners. Critical findings included saddle slip in 14.6% of horses—significantly linked to hindlimb lameness or gait abnormalities (P<0.001)—yet only 2 riders recognised this association; furthermore, rider back pain affected 38.5% of participants and correlated with poorly fitted saddles and compensatory gaits such as a stiff canter or quadrupedally reduced cranial phase (P=0.006). Well-fitted saddles were consistently associated with more frequent fit checks (P=0.004), whilst minor thoracolumbar asymmetries paradoxically correlated with better saddle fit and higher rider skill, suggesting skilled riders could manage milder asymmetries. For practitioners, these findings underscore that annual saddle checks are insufficient and that ill-fitting tack represents a modifiable risk factor for both equine back pathology and rider musculoskeletal pain; education across all equine disciplines must improve recognition of saddle slip, lameness, and subtle gait dysfunction to break this cycle of compensation and injury.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Check saddle fit more frequently than annually—well-fitted saddles require regular assessment to maintain proper fit and prevent lameness
- •Recognize that saddle slip and poorly fitted saddles are directly linked to lameness and gait problems; educate horse owners about this critical connection
- •Poor saddle fit causes rider back pain through altered biomechanics (stiff canter, reduced stride phase)—investing in proper saddle fit protects both horse and rider health
Key Findings
- •Saddle slip was present in 14.6% of horses and significantly associated with hindlimb lameness or gait abnormalities (P<0.001), though only 2 riders recognized this link
- •Rider back pain occurred in 38.5% of cases and was associated with ill-fitting saddles (P=0.03) and either quadrupedally reduced cranial phase or stiff stilted canter (P=0.006)
- •Well-fitted saddles were associated with frequent saddle fit checks (P=0.004)
- •Minor thoracolumbar asymmetries were negatively associated with ill-fitting saddles and positively associated with higher rider skill level (P=0.001)