A good question that is often asked on my bodywork visits to horses, and a piece of the puzzle that quite often gets missed! Having your saddle regularly checked by a qualified fitter is important for your horses welfare and physical health, and also for your comfort when riding.

The general recommendation for getting a saddle checked is every 6 months however there are many different factors that can influence this such as; the level/consistency of work the horse is in, the horses age, change in diet/weight or even a change of rider!

If your horse is changing shape, you may need the saddle fitter out more regularly. Poorly fitting saddles can restrict your horses range of movement, cause discomfort/pain, and cause muscle atrophy.

Things to keep an eye on are your horse’s way of going and behaviour under saddle, a dip in muscle bulk (muscle wastage) or your horses inability to build muscle in certain areas, sweat patterns along your horses back where the saddle sits, white hairs or scuff marks where the saddle sits, the saddle moving when being ridden, and your horses reaction to the saddle being put on and girthed up.

I will let you know if I see signs during a bodywork session that suggest your horse may benefit from a visit from the saddle fitter – it’s our job as professionals to work together to help your horse feel comfortable and physically capable of any work that they are doing. If you’re ever unsure though, it’s always better to contact your fitter and have your saddle checked🐴