Basic Saddle Fit Check
for Owners & Riders
Hands-On Guide · A Step-by-Step Check Every Horse Owner & Rider Can Do
Saddle fit is one of those topics that comes up regularly in conversations with riders and horse owners. A poorly fitting saddle can quietly contribute to back pain, behavior changes, performance decline, and a whole range of issues that get chalked up to other causes. Here is a straightforward, hands-on guide you can use to do a basic check at home.
This is not a substitute for a full professional saddle fit assessment, and we will talk about what that looks like toward the end. But knowing what to look for is a great place to start.
Steps 1 & 2: Inspect the Saddle and Place It on the Horse
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1Check symmetry. Flip the saddle over and look at the underside. Both sides should be mirror images of each other. Uneven panels mean uneven pressure on your horse’s back.
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2Test the tree. Hold the saddle at the front (pommel) and back (cantle) and gently flex it. While a little give is normal, a full bend or creak means a broken tree. A broken tree is dangerous and cannot be repaired. Retire that saddle.
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3Inspect the leather. Look for cracks, tears, or patches of darker or lighter color. Discoloration shows where the leather rubs hardest and can be a clue to fit problems.
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4Find “home.” Set the saddle over the withers, then slide it back slowly until it naturally stops. That is its home position. Never push it forward against the hair.
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5Check placement. The front points of the tree should sit just behind the shoulder blade (scapula) about 2 finger-widths behind it on English saddles, and right behind it on Western. Too far forward means a pinched shoulder and the horse cannot move freely.
Slide your fingers under the front of the saddle. You should feel even, light contact on both sides, no tight spots or gaps.
Step 3: Check the Fit (No Girth, No Rider)
With the saddle in its home position and no girth or rider, work through these checks one by one.
The deepest point of the seat should be in the center. Place a pen in the seat. It should roll to the middle, not forward or back. The girth straps should hang straight down.
The back of the saddle (cantle) should be level with or higher than the front (pommel). If the front is higher, the rider tips backward.
Look down the channel (gullet) that runs along the horse’s spine. You need at least 3 fingers of clearance along the full length. Slide your hand under the saddle along both sides. You should feel even, light contact with no tight spots and no gaps.
The back of the saddle should not extend past the horse’s last rib. Anything further back puts pressure on the loins, a sensitive and unsupported area.
Automatic Disqualifiers: Do NOT Ride in the Saddle If…
Stop. Do Not Ride.
- The tree is broken
- Saddle pinches or digs into the withers
- Any pressure directly on the spine
- Shoulder blade cannot move freely when the horse walks
- Saddle sits on the loins (behind the last rib)
- Any concentrated pressure point under the panels
Warning Signs: When the Saddle May Not Be Fitting
These signs do not always mean a saddle fit problem. All of them could be signs of something else entirely. But if you or your horse are experiencing several of these, and your horse has already been cleared by a veterinarian, it may be worth contacting a professional saddle fitter.
Signs the Saddle May Not Fit the Horse
- Girthiness
- Bucking or rearing
- Muscle atrophy
- Hollow back
- Irregular gaits
- Pinned ears
- Tail swishing
- Lameness
- Hunter’s bump
- Resistance or unwanted behavior
- Gait is “off” or irregular
- Stumbling or tripping
- Refusing jumps
- Busy tongue or head tossing
- Sore or sensitive back or swelling
- Undiagnosed symptomatic lameness
- White hairs
Signs the Saddle May Not Fit the Rider
- Poor position
- Feeling unbalanced or unstable
- Riding behind or in front of the motion
- Feeling “pulled apart” at the hips
- Reoccurring UTIs
- Falling into “chair seat”
- Knee pain
- Swinging legs
- Slipped discs
- Fighting the saddle for position
- Pelvic pain or discomfort
- Neck or back pain or discomfort
- Hip or knee pain or discomfort
- Knees or toes turned out
Note that all of these could be signs of other problems. If you or your horse experiences several of these, and your horse has already been cleared by a DVM, it may be worth contacting a professional saddle fitter to check the saddle fit.
What a Complete Saddle Fit Assessment Involves
Important: A complete and full saddle fit assessment is not done until the horse and rider have been evaluated and fitted with the horse and rider pair in motion at all gaits. A fitter can make adjustments to the saddle (if it allows) to better fit the horse and rider or determine that the saddle cannot work and help provide other options. If in doubt, consult a certified saddle fitter. A well-fitting saddle helps to protect your horse and improves your ride as well.
A well-fitting saddle helps to protect your horse and improves your ride as well. Both of you benefit.
The Chiropractic Connection
Saddle fit and chiropractic care are more connected than many riders realize. An ill-fitting saddle can create joint restrictions in the horse’s spine over time. And once the saddle is corrected, the horse’s body may need some help adjusting to the change.
Consider getting your horse adjusted after a saddle fit session. This can help clear joint restrictions caused by the ill-fitting saddle and help your horse reacclimate to the properly fitting saddle.
If you have additional questions, or want to schedule an adjustment for your horse, we would love to help you. Happy riding and best of luck at the show!
All information in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, replace, or substitute any veterinary or saddle fitting advice. Please follow up with your veterinarian with any medical concerns or questions regarding your horse’s health, and consult a certified saddle fitter for a complete saddle fit assessment.