Saddle fit and management: An investigation of the association with equine thoracolumbar asymmetries, horse and rider health.

The research investigates the association between saddle fit/management, equine thoracolumbar asymmetries, and the health of horses and riders. It found a significant correlation between ill-fitting saddles and back pain in both riders and horses, and further suggests more frequent and improved education on saddle fit and management could alleviate these issues.

Methodology

• The study utilized two primary data collection methods: a clinical assessment of a convenience sample of horses and riders which aimed to register any observed physical abnormalities, and an online questionnaire filled by riders which solicited self-reported information about saddle management and health issues experienced by both parties.
• The clinical assessment focused on the condition of the horses’ thoracolumbar region (the part of the spine that combines the thoracic and lumbar spine), the presence of lameness (in the form of abnormal locomotion), saddle slip (displacement of the saddle), and whether saddles fitted well or not.
• The researchers then analyzed the correlation between the clinical data and the information provided by the riders using Kappa and Spearman’s correlation statistics.

Results

• Out of the rider respondents, it was found that 14.6% of horses experienced saddle slip. This was significantly associating with instances of lameness or abnormal gait in the rear limbs of the horse.
• Interestingly, only two riders associated saddle slip with lameness. This suggests a lack of awareness regarding the interplay between saddle fit and horse health.
• 38.5% of riders reported experiencing back pain. This was found to be correlated with ill-fitted saddles and specific horse gaits (a quadrupedally reduced cranial phase of the step or a stiff, stilted canter).
• The study also discovered a link between well-fitted saddles and frequent saddle fit checks, suggesting the importance of regular saddle maintenance for rider and horse comfort.
• Finally, minor thoracolumbar asymmetries in horses were negatively associated with ill-fitting saddles and positively associated with rider skill level.

Conclusions

• The research concluded that the relationship between horse, saddle and rider is complex, and ill-fitted saddles could cause health issues for both the horse and rider.
• More frequent checks of saddle fit, at least more than once yearly, could decrease the occurrence of ill-fitting saddles.
• Better education for riders, trainers, and other horse-care professionals regarding the effects of saddle fit, lameness, saddle slip and rider straightness could be beneficial in ensuring horse and rider well-being.