Leather Saddles – What do they do?

Proper fitting of a leather saddle is the most important aspect of riding in one.

And the most common saddle fit error is to place the saddle too far forward

• A saddle placed too far forward has the front of the panels sitting over the back of the shoulder blade.  This produces interference with shoulder extension, reducing the reach of the foreleg.  
  
"Often there is shortness and choppiness of stride which can mimic navicular disease.  Stumbling and mild co-ordination can also result." (Dr. Ian Bidstrup)

 A poorly fitting leather saddle causes painful muscles in the saddle seat area. Soreness in your horse has numerous causes including:-

:rider imbalance poor stuffing of panels poor contact of the panels with the horse in between the wither and saddle seat saddles angling uphill and more...

In short - too much pressure created by the weight and movement of the rider on a badly fitting leather saddle will cause pain in your horse. 

Another common and often neglected problem, of leather saddle fitting is girth placement. But placing the leather saddle in the correct place can have one significant cost.
It may cause the girth to go around the abdomen area where the abdomen is not the same diameter at the front and back of the girth.

This usually causes the girth to move forwards, which in turn brings the leather saddle forward and onto the shoulder blades.A three point girth strap will often be needed.  Many late model leather saddles have this built in or have allowance for this.

 ***The WorldWide Standard for saddle placement in a 16 hand horse is that the front of the panels, at the tree point of the saddle, be aligned 2-3 fingers width behind the top of the shoulder blade.(Referenced "spinalvet.com.au")

For more handy tips on horse care visit my website : ingridChester.com.au