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
Fantastic service
The Saddle Bank has been an excellent service. So straight forward. No stress at all. To have the sa
Just Brilliant
Great company. They did everything with such speed, sending emails to keep me informed. Offered a ve
Brilliant
Amazing couldn’t have asked for better x
Excellent service, excellent saddle!
We are over the moon with our second hand Bates saddle purchased from The Saddle Bank. It is in exc
At last a saddle that fits
My journey started with a Stubben, stupid as didn’t like it but I needed something. Because I did
At last a saddle that fits
My journey started with a Stubben, stupid as didn’t like it but I needed something. Because I did
Great
Thank you for my beautiful saddle.
Amazing customer service
Tameka answered my 100 questions with detail, thoughtfulness and endless patience. It made me feel s
Excellent service, easy and efficient...
Excellent service, easy and efficient
Lovely saddle and excellent service and delivery...
Lovely saddle and excellent service and delivery
Great service
I recently bought a saddle. I couldn’t get my saddle fitter until after the trial period. It was q
Buying a saddle? Look no further!
Having spoke to my saddler about the make and size of saddle that would fit my youngster, I then loo
Excellent Service
Very thoughtful personal service. No hassle from start to finish, part-ex my saddle for an Ideal eve
Very prompt seevice
There is no messing login take some phots get an estmate box up and saddle is collected and money i
Purchased Saddle
Overall I have had an excellent service from the Saddlebank. It's not an easy process buying a seco
