Horses and Saddlery Fit Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Poorly fitted saddles cause pain, behavioral problems, and musculoskeletal damage in ridden horses — a welfare problem that saddle fitting expertise can identify and correct.

Key Facts

An estimated 50 to 80% of ridden horses are believed to have some degree of saddle fit issue
Saddles that press on the spine, restrict shoulder movement, or create pressure points cause acute and chronic pain
Behavioral signs of saddle pain include reluctance to be saddled, bucking, resistance, and tension under saddle
The Society of Master Saddlers and equivalent bodies certify qualified saddle fitters
Horse backs change shape with fitness, weight, and age — saddle fit requires regular reassessment
Rider weight distribution and riding style also affect how saddles pressure the horse's back

Welfare Considerations

Saddle fit pain is one of the most prevalent and underdiagnosed welfare problems in ridden horses. The horse cannot explain that its saddle hurts, and behavioral indicators — reluctance, tension, resistance — are frequently attributed to training issues rather than investigated as pain indicators. A saddle that fitted correctly when purchased may no longer fit as the horse's topline muscle changes with training or aging. Regular saddle fit assessment by qualified professionals is a routine welfare maintenance task that prevents chronic back pain and behavioral problems rooted in discomfort. The welfare and performance costs of poor saddle fit affect horse and rider simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Have saddle fit assessed by a certified saddle fitter at least annually and when your horse's body condition changes
Investigate behavioral changes under saddle as potential pain indicators before attributing them to training
Ensure numnahs and saddle pads do not compensate for poor saddle fit rather than improving it
Have your horse's back assessed by a qualified physiotherapist if saddle fit problems are suspected
Advocate for saddle fit assessment to be included in equine welfare certification standards