Relationship between saddle pressure measurements and clinical signs of saddle soreness at the withers
Authors: Von PEINEN K., WIESTNER T., Von RECHENBERG B., WEISHAUPT M. A.
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Von Peinen and colleagues investigated whether saddle pressure measurements could objectively distinguish between different grades of withers damage, from subclinical pressure marks through to acute saddle soreness—an important question given that high focal pressures restrict blood flow and trigger the tissue damage cascade analogous to pressure sores in humans. Their methodology compared three groups: 16 horses with dry spots (early signs), 7 with clinical saddle sores, and 16 sound controls, measuring pressures at walk, trot and canter using pressure-mapping technology. The results demonstrated clear dose-response relationships: mean withers pressures in clinically sore horses reached 24.0 kPa at walk and 29.7 kPa at trot—roughly three to four times higher than the control group (7.8–9.8 kPa)—whilst peak pressures at trot hit 53.3 kPa in acute cases compared to 21.0 kPa in well-fitted saddles. For practitioners, these findings provide objective pressure thresholds that correlate with clinical pathology, suggesting that pressure mapping could become a practical tool for early detection of saddle-fitting problems before visible tissue damage develops, and for validating saddle adjustments during remediation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Withers pressure measurement can objectively identify ill-fitting saddles before tissue damage occurs; aim for mean pressures <10 kPa to avoid clinical signs
- •Dry spots on the withers indicate pressure levels 2–3 times normal (15–21 kPa) and warrant immediate saddle fit assessment or adjustment
- •Pressure increases at faster gaits, so evaluate saddles at trot and canter where peak pressures may reach 43–56 kPa in problem cases
Key Findings
- •Mean withers pressures in clinically sound horses (Group C) were 7.8 kPa at walk, 9.8 kPa at trot, and 10.9 kPa at canter
- •Horses with dry spots (Group A) showed mean pressures of 15.3 kPa at walk, 18.1 kPa at trot, and 21.4 kPa at canter
- •Horses with acute saddle sores (Group B) had highest mean pressures of 24.0 kPa at walk, 29.7 kPa at trot, and 28.6 kPa at canter
- •Maximal pressures showed clear dose-response relationship with clinical severity, ranging from 13.4–24.7 kPa (Group C) to 38.9–56.0 kPa (Group B) across gaits