The effects of different saddle pads on forces and pressure distribution beneath a fitting saddle.
Abstract: Saddle pads are widely used in riding sports but their influence on saddle pressures is poorly understood. Objective: To evaluate the forces acting on the horse's back, and the eventual pressure distribution by using different saddle pads underneath a fitting saddle. Methods: Sixteen sound horses of different breeds and ages were ridden on a treadmill at walk and sitting trot. The horses were wearing a dressage saddle with a fitting saddle tree and 4 different saddle pads (gel, leather, foam and reindeer fur) successively. For comparison, measurements were made without any saddle pad. Right forelimb motion was used to synchronise the pressure data with the stride cycles. A pressure mat was used under the saddle pad to collect the kinetic data. Maximum overall force (MOF) and the pressure distribution in longitudinal and transversal direction were calculated to identify differences between the measurements with and without saddle pads. Results: A significant decrease in MOF was interpreted as improved saddle fit, and a significant increase as worsened saddle fit. Only the reindeer fur pad significantly decreased the MOF from 1005 N to 796 N at walk and from 1650 N to 1437 N at trot compared to without pad measurements. None of the saddle pads increased the MOF significantly when compared to the data without saddle pad. The pressure distribution in longitudinal and transversal direction was also improved significantly only by the reindeer fur pad at trot compared to no pad. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a well chosen saddle pad can reduce the load on the horse's back and therefore improve the suitability of a fitting saddle.
Publication Date: 2010-02-17 PubMed ID: 20156245DOI: 10.2746/042516409X475382Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study assesses the effect of different types of saddle pads on forces and pressure distribution beneath a fitting saddle during horse riding. It finds that the use of a well-chosen saddle pad, notably reindeer fur, can significantly reduce the load on the horse’s back and improve saddle suitability.
Research Methods
- The study involved 16 horses of varying breeds and ages, ridden on a treadmill at a walk and sitting trot.
- The horses wore a dressage saddle that included a fitting saddle tree and one of four different saddle pads (gel, leather, foam, and reindeer fur)—each tested one after the other.
- For comparison, measurements were also taken when the horses weren’t wearing any saddle pad.
- The researchers used the motion of the horse’s right forelimb to synchronize pressure data with the stride cycles.
- A pressure mat was placed underneath the saddle pad to collect data relating to force and pressure.
- The team then calculated the Maximum Overall Force (MOF) and pressure distribution in both longitudinal and transversal directions to identify any significant differences between the measurements taken with and without the saddle pads.
Results
- A significant decrease in Maximum Overall Force (MOF) indicated an improved fit of the saddle, while a significant increase represented a worsened fit.
- Only the reindeer fur saddle pad significantly decreased the MOF from 1005 N to 796 N during walk and from 1650 N to 1437 N at trot, compared to measurements taken without a saddle pad.
- No other saddle pads significantly increased the MOF compared to measurements taken without a saddle pad.
- Pressure distribution in longitudinal and transversal directions was also significantly improved only when using the reindeer fur pad at trot, compared to situations without a pad.
Conclusion
- This research indicates that properly selected saddle pads, particularly those made of reindeer fur, can effectively reduce pressure on a horse’s back, thereby improving the suitability of a well-fitted saddle.
Cite This Article
APA
Kotschwar AB, Baltacis A, Peham C.
(2010).
The effects of different saddle pads on forces and pressure distribution beneath a fitting saddle.
Equine Vet J, 42(2), 114-118.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409X475382 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Movement Science Group Vienna, Clinical Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back / physiology
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Gait
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Pressure
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Keener MM, Tumlin KI. The Triple-E Model: Advancing Equestrian Research with Perspectives from One Health.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 16;13(16).
- Elmeua González M, Šarabon N. Effects of saddle tilt and stirrup length on the kinetics of horseback riders.. PeerJ 2022;10:e14438.
- Pfau T, Scott WM, Sternberg Allen T. Upper Body Movement Symmetry in Reining Quarter Horses during Trot In-Hand, on the Lunge and during Ridden Exercise.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 27;12(5).
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Fisher M, Mathie H, Kuczynska K, Fairfax V, Fisher D, Pfau T. A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 13;11(4).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
