saddle not fitting?

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wench

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Horse has suddenly started objecting to having girth done up. Checked girth, saddle cloth, nothing sticking into him. Saddle was checked about three months ago.

Is there anyway of checking yourself if it doesnt fit? As I really dont have the cash atm for a new saddle, or a £60 visit from the saddler if there is nothing really wrong
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Maybe just getting more sensitive skin now thats its warmer and they maybe sweat a bit more? Are there any sore looking patches anywhere?
 
Has he got any lumps/bumps in the saddle or girth area?
Is there somebody knowledgable who could have a check of the saddle?
Presumably the girth and numnah etc are clean so it cant be that.
 
Maybe have the physio come and look at his back? Maybe he's tweaked something in the field which is now making him uncomfortable? If it were me, I'd get the physio and saddler. I know you say it's expensive, which it is, but I assure you it'll be more expensive if there is something wrong and you have to get it 'fixed' later down the line. Good luck.
 
But they can twinge things any day of the week! It's like us going to a physio and then a week later falling off the horse and having to go back! If you're worried, I would have everything checked again, sorry
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[ QUOTE ]
had back person out a month ago
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[/ QUOTE ] i know you only had his backed checked a month ago but if he has rolled had a buck fart and a play out in the field he could have pulled some thing the day after if he is usually good o be tacked there has got to be some thing not right!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe have the physio come and look at his back? Maybe he's tweaked something in the field which is now making him uncomfortable? If it were me, I'd get the physio and saddler. I know you say it's expensive, which it is, but I assure you it'll be more expensive if there is something wrong and you have to get it 'fixed' later down the line. Good luck.

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Ditto this. Has your horse lost/gained weight recently?

There are some good books around to give owners a guide to saddle fit - I have Galadriel Billingtons one and it's useful to have if you want to keep an eye on saddle fit although it is no substitute for getting a qualified fitter out.
 
I agree with Saskia esp if there is nothing obvious.

If the saddle is causing the problem, the saddle can be adjusted rather then get a new one.

Mine was too narrow and was widened easily and reflocked with lovely soft lambs wool, comfy.
 
his weight is the same as it has been for the past couple of months... he is always a bit "girthy" just seems to have got worse all of a sudden
 
If you really think that your horse is in pain, but you can't afford to get his back/saddle checked, why would you carry on riding? Just stop riding until you can afford it.
 
OK some basic checks that anyone can do
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Put your saddle on, no numnah, do up the girth and stand right back and look at the saddle- is it tipping forwards or backwards? You should be able to get the same number of fingers under the pommel and the cantle (around 3). Put your hand under the pommel and slide it down, keeping it flat, between the panel and the horse- is it even pressure or tight at the top? Check it isnt settling to one side.

Take the saddle off and check for bumps/ white hairs / bald patches not just under the saddle but around the girth area inc "armpit" and between the front legs.

Think about:
Have you changed the numnah/ girth/ amount of riding?
Do you use anything that has a martingale type strap that goes between the front legs and attaches to the girth? As these can ofton pinch and cause lots of discomfort.

Try girthing up in a different saddle or even a roller- does it change? Have you got or tried a humane girth or if you have elastic at one end- try swapping it onto the other side.

Post or PM me some photos and i may be able to help further
 
Before I look at the saddle on the horse's back, I actually look at the saddle first. I check that the panels are even, that the tree is sound and not twisted, that the girth straps are even and that the flocking is not hard or lumpy.

Then I inspect the horse's back for muscle wastage, one sidedness. At this stage I can usually tell what problems the horse is having ridden wise etc as it is all shown on the back. I check for any sensitive spots, look for broken hair/rubbing etc. I then check sensitivity of the back.

I then watch the horse being trotted up to check the movement is straight and that he is stepping under.

Then I look at the saddle on the horse - no numnah or girth to see if it the seat is straight. I then have a look at the line of the tree and make sure the points are clear of the shoulder etc. You wont be able to easily check this yourself, however you should be able to check that the gullet is clearing the wither and that the panels are sitting evenly on the horse's back. There is a 3 finger rule in the guller however this depends on the shape of the horse really but you will be able to tell if the gullet is actually pressing down on the wither. If it all looks fine then put the girth on - if the saddle has changed position then call the saddler.

If you like, send me some pics of the horse's back without saddle (from sides and back) and the same again with the saddle (no girth) and the same again with saddle and girth and I will let you know what I think. Also, would be good if you could send pics of the saddle from underneath so I can see if the panels are straight etc.
 
I had exactly the same problem with my horse recently.
She had gastric ulcers.
Now they are treated the girth-biting has stopped.
(she also objected to the roller being done up, so I ruled out a saddle problem on the strength of that)

As others have said, has anything else changed with your horse?

Mine looked a picture of health earlier, and was performing ok, but something just "not right"
The girth biting was new, and as I say, has gone away again after ulcer treatment.
Best of luck at finding the solution.
 
Was just going to ask if it's possible he has an ulcer, as they often are discovered when suffering from this problem.
 
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