Equine Anatomy & Disease

Question: My horse has moderately high withers and a more concave (Arabian-like back). I am having a problem finding a saddle that will properly fit him without the addition of a wedge pad under the cantle area. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: The wedge pad or a custom made saddle are the only solutions that I am aware of. I have a pony that has been ridden with a wedge pad for 15 years and has never been bothered by it.

Question: I have an older horse (24) that his back has become swayed. He does not have prominent withers and he has a short back (Arabian). I use an all-purpose jumping saddle with a thick fleece pad. Do you have any specific recommendations for saddle fitting for this horse or what to look for in an aging back?

Answer: It is important to keep the lowest part of the saddle level. I use a small level from the hardware store to gauge if a lift pad is necessary. The closed cell foam pads that are shaped to fit under the saddle work best with these horses in my experience.

Question: I have acquired a horse with asymmetrical shoulders. The muscles behind the shoulder blades and below the withers, where the points of a dressage saddle would sit, are unevenly developed. The left side is large and convex, the right side is slightly atrophied and convex. Should I attempt to fit the larger shoulder when I try out new saddles? If so, should I be using shims to fill in under the saddle the small-shoulder side? What should I be using for shim materials? Or is there a better approach?


Answer: My suggestion is to fit the larger shoulder and exercise the horse to develop his smaller shoulder. Padding conservatively with foam shims on that side may help in the meantime. Be careful of putting more pressure on the muscle you are trying to develop.

Question: With a western saddle purchase, the store we purchased our saddle from said that when looking for a good fit, we should place a sheet underneath the saddle, work the horse to a light sweat and the sheet should be wet with no dry spots signifying that the saddle fits correctly. Is this an accurate way to assess correct saddle fit?


Answer: The white pad technique is one way to evaluate saddle fit. The larger the area of weight distribution and eveness of contact can be evaluated. Bridging would show sweat and dirt at the pommel and cantle and a gap in between and rocking would show sweat and dirt in the middle and not at the pommel and cantle. The proper width of the saddle would be hard to measure with that technique.

Question: I have a 19-hand Percheron and would like to ride him for pleasure and trail. Is there a good resource for finding the right tack for him? I like Aussie saddles and have found draft-sized saddles online, but how do I measure him to ensure a comfortable fit?


Answer: Every manufacturer and dealer has their own favorite method of measuring a horses' back. A flexible graphic tool and tracing on paper is one of the least expensive, yet relatively accurate ways of measuring a horse's back. Several tracings are made from at least four sections of the back. There is a tool called a saddletech gauge that scientifically measures the back of a horse if there is someone in your area who has access to one.

Question: I have a 15-year-old Egyptian Arabian. It is impossible to find a saddle for him. He has low withers and broad shoulders and a short back in which everything slips forward, pinches his withers and causes trauma to the shoulders and withers. Currently, I have been riding bareback to give him a healing period. I need some suggestions for saddle brands, tips and fitting tricks and what to look for in fit. This is a very frustrating horse to fit. I am at my whits end!


Answer: Arabians are difficult to fit. They have very wide and short backs. I have seen success with Wintec dressage saddles and Niedersuss. The Wintec closed cell foam pads might also be helpful to keep the saddle level. I use a level to see if the deepest part of the saddle is level and use the closed cell pads with the front or back lift as necessary. A crupper might be a last resort.

 

Reprinted with permission from AAEP. To view the entire article please visit www.aaep.org/ask_the_vet.php