EquiSearch's Ask the Vet: Saddle Too Far BackDr. Joyce Harman outlines the negative effects of placing a saddle too far back on a horse in this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.
By Dr. Joyce Harman
By Dr. Joyce Harman
Question: What scientific research has been done that proves placing a saddle too far back on a horse will cause pain? I own gaited horses, and one of the tricks of some trainers is to place the saddle too far back (in my opinion), and then sit on the cantle. What effects will this have on the horse?
Answer: Very little true scientific research has been done on the effects of gait and the placement of the saddle in gaited horses. However, much clinical data has been gathered on the effects of saddles on back pain and function in gaited horses. When you place a saddle in the lumbar area and also add the rider's weight, you are actually sitting on the weakest and least supported part of the back. Think of your own lumbar area or your friends who have back pain--much of it is in this part.The anatomy of the back in the lumbar area (see skeleton photo) shows just how unsupported the lumbar area is. Think of an abdomen full of intestines inside pulling down, and then add the weight of a rider pushing down from the top. Then add speed, which increases the effects of gravity, all pulling down on that area. The part that is most likely to be affected is the transition zone where the ribs stop and the lumbar vertebrae begin. When the horse is gaiting that small spot takes a great deal of force and is usually the most painful place in the back.
If you look at the photo of the saddle, you can see the lowest point where the white marker is--that is directly over the last rib and first lumbar vertebra. So the rider's weight is focused there, but also spreads over a larger area because people are bigger than my white marker. The horse's rib cage provides support for the rider's weight and is the best place for the horse to carry the rider.
If you look at the photo of the saddle, you can see the lowest point where the white marker is--that is directly over the last rib and first lumbar vertebra. So the rider's weight is focused there, but also spreads over a larger area because people are bigger than my white marker. The horse's rib cage provides support for the rider's weight and is the best place for the horse to carry the rider.
When the horse hurts at the thoracolumbar junction (the technical term for the anatomy we have been talking about), he cannot bring his pelvis underneath him to gait properly. And when he hollows his back, he has to trail his hind legs out behind slightly or compensate for the pelvis not being able to move correctly, all of which puts stress on the hocks and stifles. So the cycle of hock or stifle pain begins, and we keep injecting these joints, but the real problem starts up in the back.
The next piece of anatomy we have to look at here is the gluteal or large butt muscles of the horse. This muscle group provides the power of the stride. In horses a piece of this large muscle group actually comes most of the way through the lumbar area. Sometimes on a thin, fit horse you can see this muscle while lunging, it appears like a flat piece of muscle laid on top of the entire lumbar area. When you sit on this muscle you are affecting the movement of this important gluteal group, which is a muscle designed to work hard. Weight and pain in this area cause the horse to shorten his stride, again starting the cycle of hock or stifle events discussed above.
The best way to see or feel these things for yourself is to ride or watch your horse go with the rider's weight on the lumbar area with a traditional saddle (English or Western), then to put a dressage saddle on the horse. The dressage saddle, providing it fits somewhat well, places the rider's weight over the center of the horse's back. The rider can lean back, which negates the good effects somewhat, but if there is no saddle pressure in the lumbar area the horse will move better. It is amazing to see how well these horses gait when the rider is in balance and not interfering with the stride.
The Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book (English) and The Western Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book. Also explore http://www.wendymurdoch.com/ for excellent information about rider balance and some gaited horse clinics, and search for clinics given by Diane Sept that are devoted to gaited horses. We must interfere the least amount possible with our horses' gaits and allow them freedom to express themselves.
Dr. Joyce Harman is a veterinarian and respected saddle-fitting expert certified in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic; she is also trained in homeopathy and herbal medicine. Her Harmany Equine Clinic is in northern Virginia. Visit her online shop
