Some of our top tips for ensuring your horse is as comfortable as possible in their tack. Whenever we have horses come in or new clients these are some of the first things we will check and discuss!
1. Saddle
Now it seems like an obvious one but you would be surprised at how often we see horses & ponies with poorly fitting saddles. Horses can change shape extremely quickly and it's our job as their owners and carers to ensure that it fits at all times. Be prepared to get your saddler out regularly. If your saddle is out of balance (too wide and tipping forwards or too narrow and tipping backwards) you will also be out of balance and be putting increased pressure on areas of your horse that are easily damaged. If you are unsure about something the society of master saddlers page is a good place to start! Regularly check your saddle for any lumps, rotting stitching, asymmetry and anything else that may be uncomfortable for your horse. Make sure you employ a reputable master saddler to check your saddle and its fit, and ask them to explain what they are doing and why as it will help you expand your knowledge.
2. Numnahs/Saddle Pads
Having a numnah that fits can be just as important as having a saddle that fits, for your horses comfort. If your numnah is too small and your saddle is sitting over it or on the seams, you risk making your horse sore in these areas as the seams can put excess pressure on these points. Also make sure your numnah isn't pulled down tightly over your horses withers as this can also become sore and restrict movement. A high withered numnah is your best bet to avoid this!
3. Girth Length
If you have a dressage girth, is it the right length? Often you will see dressage girths that are too short. You may think that this isn't important, but if your girth is too short it will bash the horses elbow at each stride and can potentially even chip their bone!! Painful! Make sure your dressage girth is higher than your horses elbow on both sides.
4. Over Girthing
Are you guilty of cutting your horse in half?! Don't over girth your horse! Many people will say that their horse blows out so cut them in half to compensate for when they later relax. However what is usually happening is your horse is bracing against the fact you are over girthing them in the first place. Do your girth up slowly and gradually when tacking up to make it comfortable for your horse. Check your girths tightness between the legs not just on the sides, this will give you a better indication of the tightness of your girth. It is a good idea to have two girths of different sizes for your horse throughout the year as they change shape/size. . By over girthing you also run the risk of pulling the saddle into the horses shoulders and restricting their movement.
Of course there are many more aspects of tack to think about! We will do another post soon covering correctly fitting bridles in Part 2!