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
Great 👍
It was very easy to find the right goods, and delivery was quick.
Excellent Service
The saddle bank purchased a saddle from me, the communication and process was so easy and transparen
Love my saddle
Amazing experience with the saddle bank. Fantastic saddle, I love it, so comfortable. Nice little to
Amazing service
Great company to deal with. Friendly service and very quick delivery. Saddle is as described. The sw
Excellent service
I went on reviews as never bought of a second hand site before. Couldn’t have been happier that i
Excellent exchange service
Submitted my saddle application and got a quote back the next day, pickup arranged for me and super
Selling your saddle
I submitted my Wintec GP to saddle bank, I received an email back the next day with an offer for my
Buying & selling
I bought a saddle from the saddle bank. I had it on trial. The trial ended on a bank holiday and I w
Excellent service
A friend suggested to use the saddle bank and what an excellent service. 5 days from start to finish
quick hassle free experience
although it wasn't the price I was hoping for I decided to go with the outright sale for speed and i
Fantastic service again!
This is the second time I have purchased through the Saddlebank, and have kept two out if the three
Saddle in trial
My saddler recommended I use the saddle bank as a way to trial different saddles and brands before p
Dreadful Service
Absolutely THE worst company I have ever dealt with. Shocking service, left arm doesn’t know what
Review
Following advise from my saddle fitter I found lots of saddle choice with the saddle bank & very fa
Great Experience
I’ve now sold two saddles through the saddle bank and on both occasions the whole process has been
