How do I stop my saddle bridging?

Solution: Add shims or padding under the front third of the panels of the saddle. There will be a little trial and error here in terms of the thickness needed, but as a rule of thumb, once the pommel and cantle are level you should be in good shape.

What causes a saddle to bridge?

A swayback causes “bridging” of the saddle. The bars only make contact in the front and rear of the saddle, putting excess pressure or rubbing the withers and loins. It can be seen in older horses, and poorly conditioned horses, and is a common saddle fitting problem. It can be remedied with the use of a bridge pad.

Why does my saddle tip forward?

If you're constantly trying to stay in balance when you're riding, this can indicate that the saddle doesn't fit your horse. “Tipping forward is very common in Western saddles that don't fit right,” Harman notes.

What causes a saddle to lift at the back?

In the first part of this series we talked about the three most common causes that a saddle will lift up at the back – too wide a bar spread, too wide a bar angle and too much rock in the bar for the horse.

Should a saddle lift at the back?

The saddle should not touch the horse's spine above, at the sides or along its whole length. Look from the front and back and feel for this down the gullet.

Saddle Bridging

What happens if saddle is too wide?

When a saddle is too wide in the front, it can sink down over the withers. This takes the saddle out of balance by making the pommel lower than the cantle, which in turn carries more pressure over the front of the tree (at the withers/shoulders) than a saddle with a properly sized tree.

Is my horses saddle too far forward?

A saddle placed too far forward has the front of the panels sitting over the back of the shoulder blade. This produces interference with shoulder extension, reducing the reach of the foreleg. Often there is a shortness and choppiness of stride which can mimic navicular disease.

How do you tell if your saddle doesn't fit you?

How do you know if a saddle is too small for you?

While you don't generally see many people riding in saddles that are too large, it's common to see riders in saddles that are too small. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit at least a four-finger width between the end of your seat and the cantle. Any less than that and the saddle is too small.

How tight should a horse saddle be?

The front cinch should be about as tight as your belt; if it's comfortable for you, then it should be comfortable for the horse. Do not over tighten the cinch to compensate for a saddle that rolls. Check that the saddle is the correct fit for the horse.

Can you fix bridging on a saddle?

To fix bridging saddles use a shimmable pad with bridging shims inserted to “fill in” the gap. All Cotton ThinLine Pads have pockets to put fitting shims inside! Allowing for even contact of the saddle panels.

How can I make my saddle fit better?

If a saddle is sitting low in the front, causing it to rock or bounce behind, siding in shims in the front on either side will solve the problem. If a saddle is putting you in a chair seat or tipping back onto the horse's lumbar, sliding in shims in the rear on either side will help get the saddle leveled out.

What are the symptoms of kissing spine in horses?

What happens if saddle is too small for rider?

If a heavier rider sits in a saddle which is too small, the rider has no chance for a pliable seat and therefore doubles her natural weight. She is not able to swing through her back nor harmonize with the swinging of the horse`s back.

Can poor saddle fit cause kissing spine?

Kissing spines are likely acquired. They can be the result of a variety of factors, including poor saddle fit and improper training that allows the horse to carry itself with its head up, back hollow, and not engaging the muscles in its core.

What happens if the saddle is too far back horse?

A saddle positioned too far back tends to sit on the “floating ribs”. This is the “bucking reflex point” – pressure on these unsupported ribs causes considerable discomfort, which can lead to bucking as the horse tries to alleviate the pressure.

What is a clear indication that a saddle has been placed too far forward on the equines withers?

When a saddle is too far forward, it pinches the withers and restricts the shoulders, resulting in the horse not moving its front end out of the way (over reaching and forging). If you can see the horse right after it has been ridden, look for where there is no sweat under the saddle.

How should a saddle look on a horse?

Take a look at the saddle on the horse. You should be able to stick two of your fingers between the saddle gullet and your horse's withers. The saddle should have even contact along both sides of the bars. After girthing up, your saddle should look even on the horse's back, not tipping up or drooping down.

How wide should the gullet be on a saddle?

The ideal width for a saddle gullet is between 2.5″ and 4″ depending on your horse.

Are wider saddles more comfortable?

Wider saddles tend to be more comfortable so are good for long rides or leisurely riders where extra weight from more materials isn't an issue. Thinner saddles tend to be better for short efforts – such as racing – where comfort isn't dispensed with entirely but is compromised in favour of other factors.

What sweat marks tell you about saddle fit?

One of the most misunderstood indicators of saddle fit – good or bad – are the sweat marks left behind after a ride and when the pad has been removed. Logic dictates that the dust pattern on your pad and the sweat marks on your horse should ideally look somewhat like the photos attached.