Does Your Saddle Have Pressure Points?

This month we spoke to Tricia Bracegirdle, Senior Saddle Technician for bespoke saddlery brand Childéric Saddles, to find out more about ‘pressure points’ in saddle-fitting. Tricia looks at what pressure points mean, how they are caused and how the rider can attribute to the problem.

I always think that a ‘hover’ saddle (if they could ever invent such a model) would be ideal as it would eliminate this problem completely!! But in reality, as saddlers we have to make sure that saddles, as we know them today, work with pressure so that it’s spread equally along the panel.

Science is getting even cleverer and we can now show where the pressure points are with pliance testing etc., but this technology isn’t available to every rider/horse combination, nor can it take away the major effect that the rider’s balance and horse’s symmetry can have on the pressure distribution. With no rider and the horse standing still the pressure may well be equal, but as soon as they move things change!

The main places we look for pressure points are: behind the shoulder, in the middle of the back and at the back of the saddle.

Looking at the fit of the saddle before commencing work, during exercise and after work is needed to really assess the problem.

Common problems we see behind the shoulders are:

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Saddle is too wide or too narrow
The saddle has moved forward which makes it tight on the shoulder
The saddle has moved back and dropped down
The rider is being pushed too far to the front of the saddle so the pressure is at the front – saddle doesn’t fit the rider – usually too small

Common problems we see in the middle:

The saddle when placed on the horses back rocks/is the wrong shape for the horses back – usually a flat back, banana saddle
Stirrup bars too tight
Girth done too tight

Common problems we see at the back of the saddle:

Saddle balance is incorrect – tipped backwards – this comes from being too narrow at the front or not enough panel in the rear
Panels are too big at the back
Saddle is too long
Saddle is too small for the rider so they are sitting at the back of the saddle
Saddle has gone forward, going up at the front

Sometimes the pressure points aren’t equal either. For example we might see it behind one shoulder or one side at the back or one of each diagonally

Pressure like this means that the symmetry of either the horse, rider or saddle is wrong
Flocked panels can be reshaped by uneven pressure either from the horse or the rider (Which is why flocked saddles should be checked regularly)
Foam panels don’t change shape like flocked versions and should be made symmetrical from the workshop. In rare instances a manufacturer may make the panels asymmetric to compensate for the horses shape, but this means the horse cannot change shape through training and that the saddle cannot be used on any other horse. The use of pads/shimmies can usually be the way to solve this problem but should be decided upon with your saddle fitter’s advice.

You should always call your saddle fitter if you are worried about pressure points. At the initial consultation you should explain what concerns you have and detail as much information as possible. Explain; How did you become aware of pressure points? Was it your back person who noticed tightness or soreness? Then you should show the report they might have left, or even better, ask them if they are present there too.

By looking at the saddle girthed and un-girthed, bare on the back (without saddle pads) and discussing the problem, sometimes it becomes obvious what problem the horse/rider/saddle has. Having your saddle fitter help you solve the problem will hopefully ensure that the issue does not continue. Each brand has their own different ways of altering the fit so to make a solution you have to be open to their suggestions.

If it’s not obvious from the ground and when the horse is stood still, then your saddle fitter should ask you to tack your horse up to be able to assess you both. You should then ride the horse so that you, and everyone present, can discuss what is going on. One of the things we notice a lot is that the horse is not being ridden straightly i.e.: On four tracks on a straight line and circle or when doing lateral work, this will cause a shift in the saddle which is creating the pressure points. This is why it’s useful to have your trainer and back person present, so they can see and help with the solution.

Another important area to consider is how and what you choose for a girth, and also how you use a breastplate. Both these pieces of tack can put pressure in the wrong place when used in-correctly. As soon as they are changed/fitted correctly we can often see the problem disappear. Corrections instantly eliminate the pressure to the horse and although the horse may not forget instantly, he will do over time. So, make sure that your saddler is also aware of what accessories you are using with your saddle. Don’t forget to include fluffy saddle pads as well – they can all have an impact on the fit of your saddle!

With thanks to Tricia Bracegirdle. To learn more on Childeric Saddles, please visit www.childericsaddles.co.uk