The Saddle Research Trust has announced the launch of a new paper to help vets understand the significance of saddle fit on the health and welfare of horse and rider.

Saddle fitting, recognising an ill-fitting saddle and the consequences of an ill-fitting saddle to horse and rider was written by equine vet Dr Sue Dyson together with Master Saddlers and saddle fitters Mark Fisher and Sue Carson.

The paper has been published in the Equine Veterinary Education Journal, the official education journal of the British Equine Veterinary Association and is free to view until April 2016.

The paper encourages vets to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team with saddle fitters, trainers and physiotherapists, to help educate horse owners about the multiple problems that can be caused by ill-fitting saddles.¹

Key advice includes:

• The saddle should be assessed off and on the horse, without and with a rider.
• The fit of the saddle for both the horse and rider must be evaluated.
• A well-fitted saddle should distribute weight evenly via the panels to the horse's thoracic region, with complete clearance of the spinous processes by the gullet.
• The saddle should remain fairly still during ridden exercise at all paces.
• The saddle must also fit the rider to enable them to sit in balance.
• Signs of an ill-fitting saddle include equine thoracolumbar pain, focal swellings under the saddle, ruffling of the hair, dry spots under the saddle immediately after exercise surrounded by sweat, and abnormal hair wear.
• If a saddle does not fit the rider, the rider may not be able to ride in balance with the horse, and this may induce equine thoracolumbar pain.
• A saddle of inappropriate size and shape for the rider may induce rider back pain, ‘hip’ pain, sores under the ‘seat bones’ and perineal injuries.

The paper also includes a glossary of saddlery terms, an explanation of saddle fit accessories, a range of informative photographs and a section on who is qualified to provide professional advice on saddle fit.

The paper concludes: “Correct saddle fit for horse and rider is an important equine welfare issue and the veterinary profession needs to recognise this and be at the forefront of helping to educate the horse owning public. Ideally veterinarians should work in conjunction with professional saddle fitters, trainers and physiotherapists to improve both horse and rider comfort.”

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