“We recommend that horses have their saddle checked for fit multiple times a year, especially if they are going through a period where they’ve gained or lost weight,” suggests Dr. le Jeune. “A time when a horse has had a change in its exercise routine is another instance where we would advocate for a saddle check. The new rou- tine can change the horse’s muscular stature which will affect the fit.”
As equine athletes progress through long-term work- out routines, their physiques grow and change with mus- cle development. They will increase in size even after they have stopped growing at a certain age (like a child reaching adulthood). Similar to a weight lifter whose shirt may no longer fit due to an increase in body size, an equine athlete’s saddle may no longer fit properly due to its increased frame. It should not be expected that a horse can properly utilize the same saddle throughout its life.
Ill-fitting saddles can alter a horse’s performance in many ways, but one of the most significant effects it can have on a horse is exerting too much pressure on its back muscles. This will cause an improper flow of blood to the muscle and cause pain. No muscle can develop and work properly without an adequate blood supply. Over time, that muscle will degenerate or atrophy. Long-term mechanical issues can set in if the muscle cannot develop properly.
This is not an irreversible issue, though, if a properly fitted saddle can be substituted before the situa- tion has reached a terminally chronic point. Dr. le Jeune recommends a saddle with an adjustable tree, which could prevent the need to purchase multi- ple saddles over time. The shape of the tree is what ulti- mately determines the fit – if the shape of the tree can’t be changed, new saddles will continually have to be used as the horse’s size changes. She also warns against using too many pads to compensate for an ill-fitting saddle. It may work for a saddle that is too wide, but is detrimen- tal for saddles that are too narrow. “Ultimately, I would like to see saddle fit as a rou- tine part of a horse’s care,” Dr. le Jeune said. “Just like getting a horse’s teeth floated once a year, owners who ride a lot should have their saddle fit checked on a rou- tine basis. In the long run, it will help their horse’s per- formance and health.”
Source: ucdavis.edu