Does my saddle fit? And what can I do if it doesn’t

A saddle is one of the fundamental essentials when riding your horse. For your horse’s and for your comfort, it’s extremely important that it fits nicely. In this blog, we’ll explain how you can recognize a poorly fitted saddle and how to solve it.

Signs that your saddle doesn’t fit

Your horse can show a few signs when the saddle is not fitting correctly. For example, he will start kicking, trying to bite you, or swishing his tail when you put on the saddle. He’s clearly showing you that he does not like the saddle. A more hidden sign is that you see rubs or white patches under the saddle. The saddle is pinching your horse, which is bad for the skin but also for your horse’s back. If your horse does not want to stand still when you mount, and he usually does not do this, you might want to get your saddle checked too.

You might also notice that your saddle isn’t fitting anymore as a rider. If you feel like you can’t have a stable and good position in the saddle anymore, you feel like you’re a bit behind the movement, or you can’t keep your legs still, do not hesitate to get your saddle checked.

What to do when your saddle doesn’t fit

If your saddle is not fitting correctly, a saddle fitter is the best way to get it fixed. He will check the position of the saddle on your horse’s back. Sometimes, for example, after an injury, you notice that your horse lost its muscles, and the saddle is not fitting anymore. If this is the case, you won’t need a new saddle right away, but you can fix this with a correction pad. The Kentucky correction pad can balance small problems in your saddle and is very easy to adjust. Thanks to the six shims and three different felt layers per pocket, you can adjust the pad where you need. This solution is also very cost-effective if you need a saddle for a young horse that still needs to build muscles. Before using the correction pad, please consult your saddle fitter.