Which would be most uncomfortable for a horse?

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HaffiesRock

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A bit of a random question and I know each horse is different etc.

Would a saddle that is too narrow and pinches, or one that is too wide and presses against the spine be most uncomfortable?

I was chatting with a friend today and something she said made me wonder.

Thanks x
 
Surely too narrow? You could put lots of padding under a too wide saddle like putting a few pairs of socks on for shoes that are too big.
Whereas a too narrow one you can't do anything. And multiple numnahs is like putting more socks on and making the shoes tighter.

I would say wide is the lesser of two evils?
 
Elsiecat said:
Surely too narrow? You could put lots of padding under a too wide saddle like putting a few pairs of socks on for shoes that are too big.
Whereas a too narrow one you can't do anything. And multiple numnahs is like putting more socks on and making the shoes tighter.

I would say wide is the lesser of two evils?
Click to expand...

I'd agree with this too :) working on the basis of big shoes and socks :)
 
It depends. Padding up a too-wide saddle is actually about rebalancing it - most too wide saddles are too low in front and lifting them at least brings the saddle into balance. If the pad is uniform thickness then what it can't do is alleviate the higher pressures at the top of the panel. This is why I use Mattes correction pads to tide people over with saddles that are too wide - I can put more shims at the points of the tree where needed, and less thickness higher up.

A too narrow saddle shouldn't be ridden in, period. There is no way to correct the fit even temporarily - it will likely be down at the back, putting pressure on the rear thoracic spine, and will also obviously place pressure directly on the points of the tree at the front, with a lack of contact along the top edge of the panel.

The tree should make even contact along its whole length at the front arch.

If you'd like to read more have a look on HorseHero for Saddle Fitting Myths Busted :)
 
I would say narrow is worse, I have a saddle that is too wide and I shim it and use a prolite but it was fitted by a remedial saddle fitter who knows how to do this as many don't.
 
I specifically have my saddle a touch on the wide side so i can use my thick pads, obvisouly not so wide that its apply wither pressure but i always worry about pinching on a narrow saddle and its good to have a little room for muscle changes dependenet on work load and fitness as can adjust the pads to suit but i like enough room for my standard saddle square plus my sheepskin gelleze half pad.
Too wide is bad as will create serious downward pressure on the withers and too narrow the withers and spine are getting pinched and can casue multiple pressure points and further issues so both are bad but too narrow is likely to do more damage and quicker
 
A too wide saddle pinches along the top of the panel, not lower down, see the link I referenced indirectly above :) A too narrow saddle pinches lower down at the points.
 
So, working on the theory that too wide means some thick pads will temporarily relieve the problem, what do you think about using a saddle that is now too wide thanks to weight loss, but which will hopefully fit again when my boy has gained weight again and his top line has impoved. I'm up against it with the finances and can't afford a new saddle whilst we get back to where we were at the end of last year. Do you think that this would be acceptable?
 
In principal yes but as you see from my post I don't think simply using uniform thickness pads is enough, you need to have wedge shaped shims at the front to take up the space left at the points as well as lift the front of the saddle back into balance. The wider part of the wedge is at the bottom and it tapers both to the top and to the back where it is under the seat.

And obviously the tree/panel should be a pretty good fit all apart from width.
 
Would a riser pad work? I have one made by Wintec that is made of a kind of stiff foam that has 'wedges' for want of a better word at the front. The panel/tree is still a pretty good fit.

I have to stress that this really is only an interim issue and I am planning to get it sorted properly as soon as I can.
 
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