Horse Saddlery Fit and Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

How poorly fitting saddles cause back pain and performance problems in horses and why saddle fit assessment is a critical welfare intervention.

Key Facts

An estimated 70% of horse back pain cases have a saddle fit contribution
Saddles must be fitted to both horse and rider — an asymmetric rider makes even a well-fitted saddle cause harm
Horses with sore backs often show reluctance to be groomed, ridden, or tacked up long before obvious lameness
Horses change shape with fitness, weight, and muscle development, requiring regular saddle reassessment
Qualified Society of Master Saddlers fitters can assess saddle fit objectively and recommend modifications or changes

Welfare Considerations

Saddle fit is one of the most common and most underrecognised causes of horse back pain. Because horses tolerate significant discomfort before their behaviour makes the problem unmissable to owners, many horses work for months or years in poorly fitting saddles that cause chronic back pain. The welfare implication is direct: every ride in a badly fitting saddle causes discomfort that accumulates over time into genuine musculoskeletal damage. The solution is straightforward in principle — regular professional saddle assessment, at least annually and whenever the horse's shape changes — but requires commitment and financial investment that not all owners prioritise. Treating saddle fit as a welfare necessity rather than an optional extra changes this calculation.

What You Can Do

Have your saddle professionally assessed at least annually or whenever your horse changes shape significantly
Observe your horse's behaviour during tacking up — reluctance to approach, ear pinning, and skin twitching indicate discomfort
Ensure any saddle fitter you use has Society of Master Saddlers or equivalent professional qualification
Consider rider posture assessment alongside saddle fitting — asymmetric riders create asymmetric pressure regardless of saddle quality
Address saddle fit before embarking on behaviour or training interventions for ridden problems