Is Saddle Fit a Bigger Deal Than We Think? (Part 1)

Equestrian Voices

Are we collectively aware of how profoundly saddle fit can affect our horses?

As today’s Equestrian Voices episode guest would argue, probably not.

Saddle fit can cause real (and, as far as we know, potentially irreversible) damage to your horse’s body. That’s the bad news.

The good news is, a well-fitting saddle doesn't have to be expensive or complicated - it just has to respect the horse's anatomy. And (for some this might feel like a relief, and for others it might be a point of worry) it has a lot more to do with the rider than most of us account for. That’s right - one of the most important parts of saddle fit is how you ride. Eeeek!

Amanda Anderson of Saddlefitting.US has a unique combination of experience, certification and degrees in human and equine anatomy, bodywork, saddle fitting, and even traditional chinese medicine that have led her into a career of thinking critically (and outside the box) about saddle fit as it relates to equine wellbeing and performance.

In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson and Amanda discuss:

• What can we learn about saddle fit from equine necropsies
• The biggest problem with today's saddle market and saddle fitting approaches
• A couple of signs you can look for in your own horse that indicate scapular restriction as well as a way to test it
• Why a saddle fitting program that respects the horse’s anatomy is usually very simple and doesn’t require a bunch of fancy half pads and gadgets
• How poorly fitting saddles and girths can be directly counterproductive to what we're asking the horse to do
• Why the rider is the most important part of saddle fit