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
New saddle
Lots of choice and advice. Excellent service, quick delivery and clear instructions regarding the sa
So Pleased
I would recommend you to any one looking for a saddle. It was lovely to speak to a human on the lin
So Pleased
I would recommend you to any one looking for a saddle. It was lovely to speak to a human on the lin
Happy customer
The fact that I can visit your warehouse, try a whole range of quality saddles, and the endless pat
Very helpful website, with all sorts of useful res...
Very helpful website, with all sorts of useful resources, like clear descriptions of the saddles, no
Good service
The saddle is just what I thought I wanted! It arrived quickly, well packed and I was so pleased but
Amazing!
I was looking for a specific saddle and thought to check the saddle bank, and they had the one the e
Excellent, exactly as described
Fantastic, very pleased with my saddle. Excellent service, quick delivery.
Fast & Easy.
Lovely saddler, very easy from ordering saddle & it’s arrival 12hts later., Fab .!!
Highly Recommended
Fantastic service from The Saddle Bank! Great range of saddles, expert advice, and fast delivery. Hi
Excellent service
I don't have a clue about buying the right saddle that fits my mare. I spoke to various friends who
Fast delivery, hassle free.
Straightforward to order and delivered quickly. Than you.
Saddle Bank Review
I found the saddle on the website, purchased and the saddle was delivered 4 days later. Very easy an
Great service. Very helpful
The saddle bank has provided a great service selling two of my saddles. Friendly and helpful commun
A very good experience
Using the saddle bank to sell our saddle was efficient and hassle free. You might be able to get mor