Ensuring you have a pleasurable and comfortable, not mention a safe ride every time you bring your horse out for an outing. One of the ways you could ensure that you and your horse will have a good time riding is by ensuring that your saddle is comfortable for both you and your horse. If your horse is well-behaved, eating well, and having fun. It means they are relaxed and your ride will go on without a hitch.
You actually don’t need to be a saddle specialist to tell whether your saddle isn’t right for you since your horse and even your own body will tell you loud and clear. Simply pay attention to how your horse performs and how your body feels if you’re in the right saddle. But if you are unsure, continue reading below to find out about the tell-tale signs that your saddle is hurting your horse.
Saddle sores
As a result of friction or pressure caused by ill-fitting equipment wear or saddles that are overly tight or loose, horses develop saddle sores. Horses that are dirty or using dirty gears can also create sores. These pressure sores which is frequently found and located in the under-saddle area of riders. The shoulder area of those driven in harness could also lead to skin and deeper soft and bone tissue injuries.
If left untreated, capillary occlusion, tissue damage, and even necrosis could be the end result. If you are treating your horse suffering from saddle sores, make sure they are fit and not underweight since emaciated horses are more vulnerable and secondary bacterial infections frequently exacerbate sores. Make sure that you are using the correct stock saddles every time you go out for a ride to avoid saddle sores.
Dry spots
After a ride, the horse’s back should be evenly moist except for the spine. Why is that? If an area or areas are dry, it means there is an excessive amount of pressure in one area. If the same thing is happening every time you ride, these dry spots or patches develop into white hairs. White hairs are the result of dead sweat glands because of the pressure that is recurring in the same spot.
Swelling
Since there is too much strain on your horse’s back, restricts blood flow and could cause swelling. Swelling and soreness could also be caused by ill-fitting saddles. The lumbar muscles of the loin and the gluteal region of the hip are frequently affected by exercise-induced muscle issues (tying up). The severity of these issues varies, but they can all cause swelling.
Muscle atrophy
When you notice your horse’s muscles shrinking in size, it means your horse is experiencing muscle atrophy. When this happens, your main worry is how to treat your horse to aid recovery. Whether the muscle will regenerate and return to its original size and shape. One of the causes of muscle atrophy in horses is that the saddle might be constricting the horse’s muscles. Preventing them from working and developing while riding.
Ensuring your horse is comfortable with the saddle might be the opposite for you. So, make sure that the saddle’s fit is comfortable for both you and your horse.
