An investigation of the relationship between hindlimb lameness and saddle slip.
Authors: Greve L, Dyson S J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Hindlimb Lameness and Saddle Slip Greve and Dyson's prospective investigation of 128 horses revealed a striking association between hindlimb lameness and unilateral saddle slip, with the saddle slipping towards the lamer hindlimb in 54% of lame horses compared to just 4% of forelimb lame horses and 0% of sound or back-pain cases. Diagnostic analgesia proved remarkably effective at resolving the slip: when hindlimb lameness was abolished, saddle slip disappeared in 97% of affected horses, suggesting a direct causative relationship rather than confounding factors such as rider crookedness or thoracolumbar asymmetry. Interestingly, no horses with saddle slip demonstrated significant left-right asymmetry of the back, and in the two cases where slip persisted after analgesia, asymmetric saddle flocking was the identified culprit. For equine professionals, this work provides objective evidence that persistent unilateral saddle slip warrants systematic lameness assessment, particularly focusing on the hindlimbs on the side toward which the saddle drifts, and should prompt evaluation of saddle fit and flocking symmetry before accepting poor performance as simply a rider or conformation issue.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Persistent one-sided saddle slip in a horse should prompt investigation for hindlimb lameness, particularly as a diagnostic indicator when other causes have been excluded
- •Resolution of saddle slip following treatment of hindlimb lameness confirms the lameness as the primary causative factor and validates the therapeutic approach
- •Saddle slip direction may help localize the lamer hindlimb, aiding clinical assessment and diagnostic focus
Key Findings
- •Saddle slip occurred in 54% of horses with hindlimb lameness versus 4% with forelimb lameness and 0% with back pain or sound horses (P<0.001)
- •Diagnostic analgesia abolishing hindlimb lameness eliminated saddle slip in 97% of affected horses (37/38)
- •Saddle slipped toward the side of the lamer hindlimb in 86% of cases (32/37)
- •No horses with saddle slip had significant left-right back asymmetry at predetermined measurement sites