Sore back caused by saddle..advice!

[Joanne_Stockport]

Hello,

Just looking for some advice if you don't mind !

The last week or so I have noticed that my horse is sore when riding with the saddle.
The first time I noticed something different was Wednesday when he bucked when going into canter.
Then on Friday every time I was trotting (posting) he would not relax and keep tossing his head and buck going into canter.
So I though something is not right and rode him bareback and it was a complete change (back to normal).
Saturday I had a lesson (bareback) and he was good again.

My instructor had a feel of his back and she thinks he is just a little sore (not near his wither but near the back of the saddle).
She also have the basic knowledge to check if my saddle needed to be changed ( I have a Wintec wide saddle and I can change the gullet and add/remove padding). It looks like he needed one wider gullet and some padding. She advised to not ride him with his saddle for a week or two (or until I can see that the soreness had gone) and then try the saddle with the new changes to see if he is ok with that.

I am not too sure what to do...I was thinking to wait 1-2 week but if he is still sore to get a chiro (are they better than the vet for this type of back pain?)
And also to get an experienced saddle fitter to check that the saddle is correct for him..but I guess I can only do that once his back is not sore anymore?

Also any recommendation for good saddle fitter and or chiro (that would go to Lymm, Cheshire) please let me know !

thanks

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Firstly, can I say that it is brilliant that you have noticed that something is wrong with your horse and you are wanting to do something about it!!!

Secondly, whilst your instructor may be experienced, he/she is NOT a qualified saddle fitter and is therefore unqualified to judge whether the saddle is a good fit or not!

Wintecs are the sort of saddles that if they fit both horse and rider, then fine, but if they don't fit (and yours obviously doesn't) then they can do an awful lot, and I mean awful lot, of damage.

Using a wider gullet and "some padding" as suggested by your instructor is simply not going to solve the problem I'm afraid. You have obviously decided to buy/use a Wintec, simply because they are a cheap and cheerful option for someone just starting out, but they are far from ideal for every horse and the problem won't be solved necessarily just be bunging a different gullet and some padding in!!! You could do your horse's back an awful lot of harm and possibly start off bad habits like napping or bucking, which you don't want.

Personally, this is what I'd do. I'd firstly stop using this particular saddle. Secondly I'd ask a qualified equine chiropractor and/or physio to take a look at your horse's back as there may well be some remedial work to do. If you can find someone that treats human as well as equine, it wouldn't hurt for YOU the rider to have a session as well, as very often this sort of damage is due to the rider being crooked and/or needing physio themselves - with me and my horse I know for sure that this is the case and we (horses AND me!) now have the same McTimony practitioner who looks at both horse and rider and works accordingly. Invaluable.

But lastly, the ONLY person that can help you get a saddle that fits your horse properly is a qualified saddle fitter. Note, NOT someone that is called a "saddle fitter". There is a whole world of difference. Look here for a qualified person in your area and do not use anyone else even if they're cheaper or talk big: www.societyofmastersaddlers.co.uk

Good luck anyway! Oh and you'll need to have a saddle check at least twice a year as horses can and do change shape due to grass, diet, work etc.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Firstly, can I say that it is brilliant that you have noticed that something is wrong with your horse and you are wanting to do something about it!!!

Secondly, whilst your instructor may be experienced, he/she is NOT a qualified saddle fitter and is therefore unqualified to judge whether the saddle is a good fit or not!

Wintecs are the sort of saddles that if they fit both horse and rider, then fine, but if they don't fit (and yours obviously doesn't) then they can do an awful lot, and I mean awful lot, of damage.

Using a wider gullet and "some padding" as suggested by your instructor is simply not going to solve the problem I'm afraid. You have obviously decided to buy/use a Wintec, simply because they are a cheap and cheerful option for someone just starting out, but they are far from ideal for every horse and the problem won't be solved necessarily just be bunging a different gullet and some padding in!!! You could do your horse's back an awful lot of harm and possibly start off bad habits like napping or bucking, which you don't want.

Personally, this is what I'd do. I'd firstly stop using this particular saddle. Secondly I'd ask a qualified equine chiropractor and/or physio to take a look at your horse's back as there may well be some remedial work to do. If you can find someone that treats human as well as equine, it wouldn't hurt for YOU the rider to have a session as well, as very often this sort of damage is due to the rider being crooked and/or needing physio themselves - with me and my horse I know for sure that this is the case and we (horses AND me!) now have the same McTimony practitioner who looks at both horse and rider and works accordingly. Invaluable.

But lastly, the ONLY person that can help you get a saddle that fits your horse properly is a qualified saddle fitter. Note, NOT someone that is called a "saddle fitter". There is a whole world of difference. Look here for a qualified person in your area and do not use anyone else even if they're cheaper or talk big: www.societyofmastersaddlers.co.uk

Good luck anyway! Oh and you'll need to have a saddle check at least twice a year as horses can and do change shape due to grass, diet, work etc.

Thank you for your advice. Yesterday I already found the website you have suggested (www.societyofmastersaddlers.co.uk) and contacted a master saddler ( sorry I did not know I should not call them "saddler fitter") but unfortunately they only had appointments available at the end of May. The other ones (not many in my area) where not open so will wait in the week to contact them.
However I would think I will have to wait that his back is not sore anymore to have the saddle checked?

The reason I picked this type of saddle was because I knew he would change shape (he was fat when I bought it and I sent him for schooling for a few months) and needed something that could be adjusted (with the Wintec there is a kit for different gullet sizes and padding kit) I do not think it is necessary cheap at £700 for complete kit so that was not my priority when I first purchase his saddle. I wanted something that could change with him !
Obviously I am not going to put any saddle on him until I know it is right
Will also try to find a chiro for his back ! Thanks again

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. There is a "qualified saddle fitter" and a "qualified master saddler". The "saddle fitter" is qualified to fit saddles, as well as this he or she may also have qualifications/experience in actually MAKING the saddles and/or repairs, and probably will have.

The "qualified master saddler" however, is NOT always a qualified person to actually "fit" saddles, and it should not be assumed that this is the case!!! Often they do have a whole wealth of knowledge to apply, gained through making and flocking saddles and a great deal of experience with actually "fitting", but the two things are different.

However, if you place yourself in the hands of a Society of Master Saddlers Saddle Fitter, you will be doing the very best thing for your horse. No it will not be the cheapest option, but if any of us on here have had a problem with a saddle not fitting and causing harm to a horse's back (I have) it can work out pretty blimmin expensive in the long term. Getting the best advice from a professional in the early stages is really the best thing IME.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Ah ok so I should be looking at a qualified saddle fitter (from their website) and not a Master saddler ...don't mind too much about the cost (I know owning a horse would be an expensive affair !)

There are not many of them..none in Cheshire and only 3 in Lancashire !

 

[Flame_]

Hi Joanne

Sorry to hear you're having some problems, they are normal though and saddles do sometimes need altering and changing. I'm going to disagree with the other poster and say don't worry too much about saddle fitting qualifications, they don't mean a great deal tbh except in relation to actually MAKING saddles. If your instructor is an experienced, all-round horse person they're just as likely to get it right as a lot of saddle fitters in the area. IIWY I'd see how you go on after the alterations your instructor has made and the rest, then if things still aren't working, think about changing saddles. Also if you want a good physio, equine and canine solutions are very good and helpful.

Hope you guys are doing OK otherwise and we'll see you at a pleasure ride soon!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Hi Joanne

Sorry to hear you're having some problems, they are normal though and saddles do sometimes need altering and changing. I'm going to disagree with the other poster and say don't worry too much about saddle fitting qualifications, they don't mean a great deal tbh except in relation to actually MAKING saddles. If your instructor is an experienced, all-round horse person they're just as likely to get it right as a lot of saddle fitters in the area.

Ehm, yerrsss, I see where you're coming from, in that if you've got someone who's got a "good eye" for a saddle which fits/or doesn't, then qualifications are not the huge issue......... but having had too many "bad" saddle fitters come to my yard, who basically have diddly squat qualifications but talk big about their "celebrity" clients, I'm now very very charey, full stop.

Yes you will get bad saddle fitters who're qualified up to the hilt, BUT if you do have a problem, then at least you should have some redress as they will be affiliated to their professional organisation. For example, (I won't name names here) but I know of a case where a qualified person from a set-up that is very highly regarded, fitted a saddle to a horse which later required extensive veterinary and physiotherapy. The saddle fitter had fitted a saddle to the horse, and the damage to the horse's back which had been caused, was attributed to this particular fitter, who was deemed liable (by veterinary report/opinion) for the damage. He/she, or their professional organisation, had to pay up and look sweet for the vet/physio fees for the horse. The owner was able to get redress purely because the "qualified saddle fitter" was a member of a professional association.

Yes agree that OP's instructor might well have a "good eye" as far as fitting a saddle is concerned, and might well be as good a judge as any "saddle fitter". But I still maintain that for someone in OP's position - without putting her down at all - who is a novice basically, then she is best to put herself in the hands of a qualified person in this instance.

OK so the rest of us have the knowledge and the confidence to have a very good idea whether something fits or not; but for now, this is why I feel she may be best to just trust the qualified "expert".

 

[flojo]

Yes agree that OP's instructor might well have a "good eye" as far as fitting a saddle is concerned, and might well be as good a judge as any "saddle fitter". But I still maintain that for someone in OP's position - without putting her down at all - who is a novice basically, then she is best to put herself in the hands of a qualified person in this instance..

I absolutely agree!

 

[Kaylum]

Agree with what's been said so far. Another consideration when they do the fitting the saddle might not fit you. The saddle fitter should watch you ride and see what's going on. They should also see what saddle cloth and girth you are using. Saddle cloths can cause problems and so can girths.
And always clean the sweat off your horses back after its been ridden. That can also make it sore.

 

[TrasaM]

Well done Joanne for realising there was something amiss so quickly and not assume horse was being difficult.
I'm in the middle on an ongoing saga re saddle fitting to both the horses I ride ( shares) by a Master saddler. Two horses had their saddles swapped but we double checked following day and we are not happy with the fit of one and have doubts about the other. Saddles weren't even checked whilst girthed up let alone with a rider on them! I wish you luck in finding a reliable saddler who can get your saddle problem sorted quickly.
The previous 'expert' the owner had out sold her a saddle which caused huge problems for another horse but which were put down to spinal problems because after all the saddle had been fitted correctly.yeah!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Sorry, meant to add: welcome OP to the complex, complicated - and expensive!!! - world of "saddle fitting" It has to be one of the most featured topics on here, LOL.

And so far no-one's suggested you try a treeless saddle (i.e. a saddle without a fixed "tree" or frame in it, which are becoming popular). But with these saddles, as much care if not more needs to be taken with getting a correct fit as they have the potential, simply because they have no "structure" if you like, to do a great deal of harm. The whole debate of Tree'd -v- Treeless has been raging on here for quite a while! - sorry, am probably confusing you. There will be plenty of time to consider the treeless option at some future date I would suggest.

Hope everything gets sorted for you.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Hi Joanne

Sorry to hear you're having some problems, they are normal though and saddles do sometimes need altering and changing. I'm going to disagree with the other poster and say don't worry too much about saddle fitting qualifications, they don't mean a great deal tbh except in relation to actually MAKING saddles. If your instructor is an experienced, all-round horse person they're just as likely to get it right as a lot of saddle fitters in the area. IIWY I'd see how you go on after the alterations your instructor has made and the rest, then if things still aren't working, think about changing saddles. Also if you want a good physio, equine and canine solutions are very good and helpful.

Hope you guys are doing OK otherwise and we'll see you at a pleasure ride soon!

Hello you ...I hope everything is good with you and Miyaz !

My instructor also work at a large riding school and fit all the saddles there but I still will get someone else to double check. I also booked a physio for next week..so going to ride bareback for the time being (and lunging)!

A couple of weeks ago, Badger and I did the same route as we did when you came(on our own) and he was really good , I was so happy with him !
It's a bit of a step back as we were ready to rent a trailer and see how he loads and how he behaves away from home ! After that it was the pleasure ride but we will have to wait now until the saddle issues are resolved...was so looking forward to our first pleasure ride !

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Well done Joanne for realising there was something amiss so quickly and not assume horse was being difficult.

I am very aware that I am a novice (riding and owning) so I am extremely careful to notice any change in behavior. Even though I have only had him since the end of January, I took 5 weeks off work and spent a lot of time with him so I am starting to know him a little bit more about his personality. Thinking about it now, I think he started showing signs a week before that as he had become extremely nappy when going on hacks (he is nappy normally but not as much) and he was a little more grumpy !
I am sometimes too careful ..thinking that he is lame when he is not ! But better safe then sorry.

Sorry, meant to add: welcome OP to the complex, complicated - and expensive!!! - world of "saddle fitting" It has to be one of the most featured topics on here, LOL.

And so far no-one's suggested you try a treeless saddle (i.e. a saddle without a fixed "tree" or frame in it, which are becoming popular). But with these saddles, as much care if not more needs to be taken with getting a correct fit as they have the potential, simply because they have no "structure" if you like, to do a great deal of harm. The whole debate of Tree'd -v- Treeless has been raging on here for quite a while! - sorry, am probably confusing you. There will be plenty of time to consider the treeless option at some future date I would suggest.

Hope everything gets sorted for you.

thanks ! Physio appointment is booked for next week and now trying to find a suitable qualified saddle fitter.. I will see what they think...hopefully it will not be too difficult to find him a saddle that fits !