Equine Back Pain and Saddle Fit | Animal Welfare Hub

Back pain is prevalent and underdiagnosed in working horses, with poorly fitted saddles and training methods contributing to chronic suffering that affects behaviour and performance.

Key Facts

Studies suggest 30-50% of horses presenting with back problems have associated saddle fit issues
Horses rarely show obvious signs of back pain — reluctance to work is often the first sign
Chronic muscle tension from ill-fitting saddles causes lasting changes to posture
Girthing sensitivity, bucking, and difficulty with lateral movements can all indicate back pain
Regular saddle fit checks from a qualified saddle fitter are recommended every 6 months

Welfare Considerations

Back pain in horses is a silent welfare problem: stoic by evolutionary nature, horses continue to work in pain, showing only subtle behavioural changes that riders often interpret as laziness or disobedience. Chronic back pain from ill-fitting saddles causes muscle atrophy, altered movement patterns, and defensive behaviour that deteriorates the horse-rider relationship. Addressing the welfare dimension requires both better saddle fitting practices and rider education to recognise pain-related behaviour rather than attribute it to temperament.

What You Can Do

Have saddles checked and reflocked by a qualified saddle fitter every 6 months
Learn to recognise back pain signs including sensitivity to grooming and girthing
Request veterinary assessment for horses showing unexplained performance changes
Invest in regular physiotherapy as part of working horse health maintenance
Support equine pain research and dissemination of pain recognition tools