Improper Saddle Fit is the Root Cause of Many Physical,
Behavioral and Training Problems |
| Physical Problems - Short Term & Long Term Due to Improper Saddle Fit |
| Swelling, heat and pain in the muscles under the saddle |
| Sores on the back |
| Atrophy of the muscles on either side of the withers |
| Scar tissue around the shoulder blades |
| White hairs under the saddle |
| Acute and chronic muscular tension in the Neck, Back and Hindquarters |
| Joint problems in the hocks and stifles |
| Obscure hind limb lameness |
| Concussive problems in the front feet |
| Front leg lameness -- tripping and stumbling |
| In Short |
| The biomechanical action of the horse is unnatural, inefficient and compromised |
| Behavioral Problems - Due to Improper Saddle Fit |
| Bad Attitude - Grumpy Horse or "Marish" |
| Objection to being saddles |
| Hypersensitivity to being brushed and/or touched (There is no such thing as a ticklish horse) |
| Rearranging the stall bedding constantly |
| Unable to stand still or square |
| Difficult to Shoe |
| Training - Due to Improper Saddle Fit |
| .Cold-backed. during mounting |
| Unwilling to Move |
| Slow to warm up or relax |
| Resistance to work, Resistance to training aids |
| Excessive shying |
| Lack of concentration on rider and aids, varying from mild to unrideable |
| Rushing to and from fences - Refusing jumps |
| Rushing downhill or pulling uphill with the front end |
| Unable to use the back and hindquarters properly |
| Inability to travel straight |
| Unwilling or unable to round the back and/or neck |
| Swishing the tail |
| Pinning the ears, grinding the teeth |
| Tossing the head |
| Difficult to collect, find a soft feel or maintain impulsion |
| Twisting over fences |
| Decreasing speed on the racetrack on in any other timed sport |
| Slow out of the starting gate |
| Ducking out of turns, turning wide |
| Starts ride doing well, gets more resistant later |
| Ignored or unrecognized, saddle fit problems cause a years of unnecessary expense and frustration for the horse owner and amateur rider. |
| Instead of addressing the root cause of the problem, many horse owners spend Years and Lots of Money chasing the symptoms: |
 | Buy a more severe bit | | Buy a new type of saddle pad | | Ride with draw reins or martingales | | Change the shoeing program -- put on bar shoes | | Bring in the Veterinary Acupuncturist, The Chiropractor and the Equine Massage Therapist | | Inject the Hocks and Stifles | | Get another Horse! |
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| The bottom line is that an ill fitting saddle causes the owner grief and costs him money. |
| Antagonistic Relationship with Your Horse | | Riding Performance is Poor (How many lessons are your paying for?) | | Ride time is lost | | The bills continue to add up  | Tack store | | Trainer | | Farrier | | Veterinarian | | Chiropractor, Acupuncturists, Massage Therapist |
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| Ignored, these problems cause a lifetime of unnecessary pain and suffering for the horse. |
| The careers and lives of many horses are ended prematurely due to the problems originating with an ill fitting saddle. |
| It is Unrealistic to Expect Performance from a Horse that is in Pain |
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| Saddle Fit Links |
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