A saddle that fitted your horse perfectly when you bought it won't necessarily fit them forever.
Changes in weight, fitness, muscle development, age and workload can all alter your horse's shape and affect how their saddle sits. That's why saddle fit needs to be checked regularly, rather than only when buying a new saddle.
Sometimes there are obvious signs that something isn't right. Other times, the changes can be much more subtle.
So, how can you tell if your horse's saddle needs checking?
How often should you have your horse's saddle checked?
The British Horse Society recommends having your horse's saddle checked by a Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) Qualified Saddle Fitter at least every six months.
However, you may need to arrange a check sooner if your horse has changed shape or you notice a change in their comfort, behaviour or performance.
It's also worth getting into the habit of looking at how your saddle sits every time you tack up. You aren't trying to replace a professional saddle fitting, but knowing what is normal for your horse can make it easier to notice when something changes.
1. Your horse has changed shape
One of the biggest reasons saddle fit can change is simply that your horse's body has changed.
This could happen because they've:
- Gained or lost weight
- Become fitter
- Built more muscle
- Lost muscle after time off
- Changed workload
- Grown or matured
- Returned to work after an injury or break
Even relatively small changes can affect the way a saddle sits.
Seasonal changes can make a difference too. A horse coming out of winter may have a very different shape from the same horse later in the summer after several months of regular work.
If your horse has noticeably changed shape since their last saddle fitting, it's worth arranging another check rather than waiting for your usual appointment.
2. Their behaviour changes when you tack up
Changes in behaviour around the saddle or girth can be a sign that your horse is uncomfortable.
You might notice your horse:
- Moving away when you approach with the saddle
- Pinning their ears
- Swishing their tail
- Becoming restless while being tacked up
- Attempting to bite when the saddle or girth is fitted
- Becoming unusually tense
A single behaviour doesn't automatically mean that the saddle is the problem. There can be many reasons for a change in behaviour, including pain or discomfort elsewhere.
However, if the behaviour is new, getting worse or consistently associated with tacking up, it's something worth investigating rather than dismissing as your horse being difficult.
3. Their ridden behaviour has changed
You may notice changes once you're in the saddle too.
Possible warning signs can include:
- Reluctance to go forward
- Bucking or rearing
- Tail swishing
- Head tossing
- Difficulty maintaining a particular canter lead
- Becoming tense or hollow through the back
- Reluctance at jumps
- A change in stride
- Tripping or stumbling more than usual
- Generally feeling less willing or comfortable than normal
Again, these behaviours aren't proof that the saddle is responsible.
Changes in ridden behaviour can have a number of causes, so if you're concerned about pain or your horse's health, speak to your vet. Saddle fit should be one of the areas considered when trying to establish what's changed.
4. The saddle is tipping forwards or backwards
When you look at your horse from the side, pay attention to the balance of the saddle.
If it appears noticeably tipped forwards or backwards rather than sitting level, it may need assessing.
An unbalanced saddle can affect both horse and rider. For the rider, it can make it more difficult to maintain a balanced position. For the horse, an unsuitable fit can create unwanted pressure.
Don't try to correct an obvious fitting problem simply by adding pads or changing your saddlecloth without professional advice. Adding material underneath the saddle changes the fit further and won't necessarily address the underlying problem.
5. The saddle is moving while you ride
Some movement is normal as horse and rider move together, but a saddle shouldn't be noticeably slipping from side to side, moving excessively forwards or backwards, or repeatedly ending up in a different position.
If you've started noticing more movement than usual, consider whether anything else has changed too.
Has your horse gained or lost weight? Has their workload increased? Are they developing more muscle?
A saddle fitter can assess why the movement is occurring and whether the saddle needs adjusting or replacing.
6. You notice uneven contact
The panels underneath the saddle are designed to distribute pressure across the horse's back.
Visible gaps or obviously uneven contact can be a reason to have the saddle checked.
However, saddle fitting is much more involved than simply looking underneath a stationary saddle. A professional assessment considers the individual horse, saddle and rider, including how the saddle behaves when the horse is moving and being ridden.
So while your own checks can help you spot potential changes, they shouldn't replace professional fitting.
7. There's not enough clearance around the withers or spine
The saddle shouldn't sit directly on your horse's spine or place unwanted pressure around the withers.
If the clearance looks different from normal, the saddle appears to be sitting very low, or you have any concerns about contact around the withers or spine, arrange a professional check.
The correct clearance isn't something to judge using one measurement alone, as it depends on the individual horse and saddle and needs to be assessed as part of the overall fit.
8. You find areas of soreness or sensitivity
Pay attention to your horse when grooming and running your hands over their back.
A new reaction to pressure, sensitivity around the saddle area or signs of soreness shouldn't be ignored.
That doesn't necessarily mean the saddle is the cause, but it's a reason to stop and investigate.
If you suspect your horse is in pain, seek veterinary advice. A saddle fitter can assess the saddle, but they aren't a substitute for a vet when there may be an underlying health problem.
9. Your horse has had time off
If your horse has had an extended break from ridden work, don't assume their saddle will fit exactly as it did beforehand.
Time off can result in changes to muscle tone, weight and overall body shape.
This can be particularly important following injury, when a horse may have had a long period of reduced or no ridden work.
Having the saddle assessed as part of their return to work can help make sure it remains suitable for their current shape.
10. Your own position suddenly feels different
Saddle fit isn't only about the horse.
A saddle also needs to accommodate the rider and allow you to ride in a secure, balanced position.
If you suddenly feel as though you're being tipped forwards or backwards, struggling to remain centred or sitting differently despite nothing deliberately changing in your riding, it's worth considering whether the saddle's balance has changed.
A qualified saddle fitter can assess the saddle with both horse and rider in mind.
Don't wait for an obvious problem
You don't need to wait until your horse is showing clear signs of discomfort before having their saddle checked.
Horses change shape throughout the year, particularly as their weight, fitness and muscle development change. Regular checks give you the opportunity to identify changes before they become a bigger problem.
The British Horse Society recommends having your saddle professionally checked at least every six months by an SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter.
You should consider arranging an earlier check if:
- Your horse has gained or lost a noticeable amount of weight
- Their workload or fitness has changed significantly
- They're returning to work after time off
- They're young and still developing
- You've noticed a change in behaviour or performance
- The saddle looks or feels different
- You have any concerns about comfort
What should you do if you think your saddle doesn't fit?
If something doesn't seem right, avoid trying to diagnose or correct the fit yourself.
Arrange for a suitably qualified saddle fitter to assess your horse and saddle. They can determine whether the existing saddle can be adjusted or whether a different saddle would be more appropriate.
If your horse is showing signs of pain, lameness or a significant unexplained change in behaviour, speak to your vet as well. Saddle fit is only one possible cause of discomfort.
Looking for a different saddle?
If your current saddle is no longer suitable, you may not necessarily need to buy brand new.
There are plenty of quality second-hand options available, but remember that a saddle still needs to be professionally assessed for your individual horse, even if the advertised size and width appear to be right.
Read our guide to buying a second-hand saddle for what to check before buying, or our guide to the different types of horse saddles if you're unsure which style may suit the riding you do.
You can also browse new and second-hand saddles for sale on Horsemart, including GP, dressage, jumping and other specialist saddles.
