Horse Back and Saddle Fit Welfare

Poorly fitting saddles and back pain are among the most prevalent and underdiagnosed welfare problems in ridden horses — significantly affecting performance and quality of life.

Key Facts

Back pain affects an estimated 25–47% of ridden horses — one of the most common causes of reduced performance and behavioural problems
Signs of back pain include resistance to saddling, back-rounding when girthed, reluctance to move forward, bucking, and hypersensitivity to pressure
Saddle fit changes as horses gain or lose muscle and weight — saddles should be checked at least twice yearly by a qualified saddle fitter
The Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) and the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) have published guidance on saddle fit assessment
Ill-fitting saddles cause pressure points, localised ischemia (blood flow restriction), and muscle atrophy, particularly over the trapezius and longissimus dorsi
Back pain in horses frequently co-exists with gastric ulcers, hindlimb lameness, and kissing spines — investigation requires a multi-system approach
Diagnostic tools including pressure mapping, thermography, and scintigraphy allow objective assessment of saddle-back interaction

Welfare Considerations

Back pain in ridden horses is one of the most prevalent sources of chronic pain in equine athletes, yet it is frequently misidentified as behavioural disobedience. A horse that bucks when asked to canter, refuses jumps, or pins ears when girthed is communicating pain — these are not training failures but welfare indicators. The welfare obligation of riders and owners is to ensure saddles fit appropriately and are checked regularly, to investigate behavioural changes as potential pain signals rather than training problems, and to seek veterinary assessment when problems persist. Treating a pain-related behaviour problem as a training issue and escalating pressure causes unnecessary suffering.

What You Can Do

Have saddle fit checked by a qualified saddle fitter (SMS-qualified in the UK) at least twice yearly and after any significant weight change
If your horse shows any resistance to saddling, girthing, or ridden work, request a veterinary back examination before pursuing training solutions
Learn to assess your horse's back for muscle symmetry, tension, and response to pressure — hands-on knowledge is invaluable
Ensure your saddle fitter communicates with your vet and physio if back pain is suspected — a team approach produces best outcomes
Use a qualified equine physiotherapist or chiropractor alongside veterinary diagnosis for back pain management
Support the ISES' ethical equitation principles — these include explicit requirements to investigate pain before attributing behaviour to training issues
Reduce competition intensity and allow recovery time when back pain is confirmed — welfare must take priority over competition schedules