Recognising Saddle Fit Issues
As a horse owner and rider, your horses welfare is your responsibility. Being able to recognise signs in your horse that your saddle doesn’t fit, or is causing him/her pain is crucial to a happy, healthy horse.
Horses are not naturally disobedient, or aggressive. They are generally very cooperative provided two key elements are met. Firstly they need to understand what you are asking them to do, and secondly they need to be comfortable, and free from pain/restriction to be able to carry out what you are asking to do.
Many problems and behavioural issues are the result of a poor fitting saddle.
However it does not have to be that way. You can learn how to identify signs of a poor fitting saddle, and know when its time to call in a professional qualified saddle fitter to have a good look at your saddle and horse for you.
Does your horse display any of these signs?
Avoidance behaviours – trying to walk away when being tacked up
Ears back/head shaking when saddle comes close by
Excessive tail swishing both in the stable and when ridden
Pawing the ground
Threatening to bite you when you come close with the saddle
Girthy behaviour – negative behaviour when doing up the girth
Reluctant to go forwards when being ridden
Stopping at fences
Short strides
Breathlessness
Bucking
Rearing
Hollowing the back and not working in an outline
Tripping / stumbling
Unable to canter on the right leg/irregular gaits
If so, your horse could be in pain every time you ride.
Learn how to prevent these issues in the must do online course.
Who is this online horse course for?
Horse Owners
Do you own horses which are ridden? Even if they are not ridden by you, this course is a MUST DO for all horse owners. That includes owners who do not ride, owners who do ride, and non horsey parents/guardians. As the owner, the horses welfare is your responsibility. You have a duty of care to have basic knowledge on how a saddle should fit and how to recognise signs it doesn’t.
Horse Riders
The saddle is the most important piece of equipment you will have (besides your hat). Understanding how the saddle, horse and rider work together is vital to your horses performance and wellbeing. As a rider you have a duty of care to be able to recognise signs your saddle does not fit and respond to that.
Equine Professionals
Are you a trainer, instructor, massage therapist, Vet Physio or other equine professional? If so, then this course will help you recognise signs of a poor fitting saddle and the results of a poor fitting saddle. This will help you inform, advise and guide your clients to get a saddle fitter out when appropriate.
Why YOUR horse wants YOU to do the course…
What is included?
By the end of this course you will…
Trust in your fellow riders What our customers say
Bought a John Whittaker jump saddle
The saddle was a 'used' one but is in very good condition. I had to order a wider gullet and this wa
Easy to talk to and order and unfortunately return...
Easy to talk to and order and unfortunately return. Definitely would use again.
10/10
great so lovely love the personal touch of the letter
Quick delivery and lovely saddle
Excellent service, lovely saddle, fits my horse well.
Such a Stress Free Process
I sold my saddle to Saddlebank and the process was so straightforward. Kate provided me with an imme
What would we do without The Saddle Bank!
I am so pleased that I purchased my new saddle through The Saddle Bank. Brilliant service, friendly
Dressage Saddle
Amazing helpful service yet again, answered all my questions efficiently enabling me to purchase qui
Dressage Saddle
Amazing helpful service yet again, answered all my questions efficiently enabling me to purchase qui
Brilliant hassle free way to buy and sell a saddle
Ellie and the rest of the team were so helpful and supported me through the process of selling my sa
Quality issue
I sent the saddle back as had cracking to leather which made saddle not fit for purpose.
Absolutely amazing
The saddle was in excellent condition fast delivery am so happy would 100% recommend lovely personal
Great Service
Very efficient and easy to deal with. Thank you!
Great service
Thank you team of the SaddleBank you made the purchase of the Bates saddle a easy experience. As we
Selling a saddle
Selling a saddle was simple using The Saddle Bank. After sending photos, I received a quote then in
Selling my Albion K2 Jump
A fantastic and easy service. I was offered an extremely competitive price for my saddle and to have
