Companion Animals

Horse Saddle Fit and Back Pain Welfare

Poor saddle fit causes chronic back pain in horses that is often unrecognised, and regular fitting by qualified saddlers is essential for ridden horse welfare.

Key Facts

An estimated 50-75% of performance horses have some degree of back pain or muscle tension
Poor saddle fit causes direct pressure on the spine and restricted shoulder movement
Signs of back pain include reluctance to be saddled, dropping when mounted and poor performance
Qualified saddle fitters should check fit every 6 months or after significant weight change
Saddle fit must be assessed dynamically under a rider as well as statically

Welfare Considerations

Back pain from ill-fitting saddles is a pervasive, largely hidden welfare problem in equestrian sport and leisure. Regular professional saddle fitting is a minimum welfare standard.

What You Can Do

Have your saddle professionally fitted and checked every 6 months
Learn to recognise signs of saddle-related back pain in your horse
Consult a veterinary physiotherapist if your horse shows ridden behaviour changes