Companion Horse Saddlery and Back Welfare

Ill-fitting saddles are a leading cause of chronic back pain in ridden horses. Understanding saddle fit and its welfare implications protects horse comfort and performance.

Key Facts

Back pain affects an estimated 50-80% of ridden horses in the UK
Ill-fitting saddles cause muscle atrophy, soreness and behavioural resistance in horses
Horses cannot verbally report pain, making behavioural pain signs critical to recognise
BEVA and BSJA support a performance horse welfare framework addressing saddle fit
Qualified saddle fitters should assess fit every 6 months and after significant weight change

Welfare Considerations

Chronic saddle-related back pain is among the most pervasive and underrecognised welfare problems in equine sport and leisure. Horses show pain through behavioural resistance - bucking, napping, reluctance to go forward, ears back during saddling - that owners and trainers often attribute to training problems rather than pain. Regular saddle fit assessment by a Qualified Saddle Fitter (QSF) using panel contact mapping prevents the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain. The horse's body changes seasonally and with fitness; fixed saddle assumptions cause progressive pain over time.

What You Can Do

Book a professional saddle fit assessment with a BSS-registered qualified saddle fitter
Check saddle fit yourself: two fingers under the pommel, no rocking, even panel contact
Monitor for back pain signs: flinching to grooming, reluctance to be saddled, girthing sensitivity
Schedule reassessment every 6 months and after any significant weight or fitness change
Consult a vet and physiotherapist if saddle-related pain signs persist despite fit correction