Evaluation of the force acting on the back of the horse with an English saddle and a side saddle at walk, trot and canter
Authors: WINKELMAYR B., PEHAM C., FRÜHWIRTH B., LICKA T., SCHEIDL M.
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Researchers used pressure-sensing saddle pads and motion-capture technology to compare how English and side saddles distribute forces across the equine back during walk, trot and canter in 13 sound horses. Maximum overall force differed significantly between saddle types (P<0.01), with the centre of pressure under a side saddle consistently shifted rightward and slightly towards the caudal region compared to an English saddle. Side saddles also produced asymmetric loading patterns that altered back kinematics—notably reducing withers movement at trot and transverse lumbar motion at canter—though vertical excursions at L4 were more pronounced under English saddles at walk. These findings suggest that side saddles create fundamentally different biomechanical demands on the equine back, which has implications for managing horses with back pathology: alternating between saddle types could serve as a useful training variation and potentially offer therapeutic benefit by redistributing pressure in animals experiencing discomfort from conventional symmetrical loading patterns.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Side saddle use creates measurably different loading patterns on the back; alternating between English and side saddle may help redistribute pressure and reduce localized strain for horses with back sensitivity
- •The asymmetric load from side saddles significantly affects spinal movement, particularly at the withers during trotting—monitor horses ridden predominantly in side saddles for unilateral muscle development or soreness
- •Combining both saddle types as a training variation offers a mechanical strategy to change load distribution and may benefit horses with existing back discomfort
Key Findings
- •Side saddle creates asymmetric force transmission to the right of midline compared to English saddle across all gaits
- •Maximum overall force was significantly different between saddles (P<0.01)
- •English saddle produced significantly larger vertical excursions at L4 during walk (P<0.01)
- •Side saddle reduced withers horizontal movement at trot and transversal movement at canter (P<0.01)