Recognising Saddle Fit Issues
As a horse owner and rider, your horses welfare is your responsibility. Being able to recognise signs in your horse that your saddle doesn’t fit, or is causing him/her pain is crucial to a happy, healthy horse.
Horses are not naturally disobedient, or aggressive. They are generally very cooperative provided two key elements are met. Firstly they need to understand what you are asking them to do, and secondly they need to be comfortable, and free from pain/restriction to be able to carry out what you are asking to do.
Many problems and behavioural issues are the result of a poor fitting saddle.
However it does not have to be that way. You can learn how to identify signs of a poor fitting saddle, and know when its time to call in a professional qualified saddle fitter to have a good look at your saddle and horse for you.
Does your horse display any of these signs?
Avoidance behaviours – trying to walk away when being tacked up
Ears back/head shaking when saddle comes close by
Excessive tail swishing both in the stable and when ridden
Pawing the ground
Threatening to bite you when you come close with the saddle
Girthy behaviour – negative behaviour when doing up the girth
Reluctant to go forwards when being ridden
Stopping at fences
Short strides
Breathlessness
Bucking
Rearing
Hollowing the back and not working in an outline
Tripping / stumbling
Unable to canter on the right leg/irregular gaits
If so, your horse could be in pain every time you ride.
Learn how to prevent these issues in the must do online course.
Who is this online horse course for?
Horse Owners
Do you own horses which are ridden? Even if they are not ridden by you, this course is a MUST DO for all horse owners. That includes owners who do not ride, owners who do ride, and non horsey parents/guardians. As the owner, the horses welfare is your responsibility. You have a duty of care to have basic knowledge on how a saddle should fit and how to recognise signs it doesn’t.
Horse Riders
The saddle is the most important piece of equipment you will have (besides your hat). Understanding how the saddle, horse and rider work together is vital to your horses performance and wellbeing. As a rider you have a duty of care to be able to recognise signs your saddle does not fit and respond to that.
Equine Professionals
Are you a trainer, instructor, massage therapist, Vet Physio or other equine professional? If so, then this course will help you recognise signs of a poor fitting saddle and the results of a poor fitting saddle. This will help you inform, advise and guide your clients to get a saddle fitter out when appropriate.
Why YOUR horse wants YOU to do the course…

What is included?


By the end of this course you will…
Trust in your fellow riders What our customers say
Saddle Bank Review
I found the saddle on the website, purchased and the saddle was delivered 4 days later. Very easy an
Great service. Very helpful
The saddle bank has provided a great service selling two of my saddles. Friendly and helpful commun
A very good experience
Using the saddle bank to sell our saddle was efficient and hassle free. You might be able to get mor
Selling saddle
Very patient while I was selling my saddle, they were great at communicating with me and very quick
ITEM HAVENT BEEN DELIVERED ON TIME DAUGHTER HAD TO MISS HER SHOW.!!!
I have ordered from saddlebank for the first time and I have to say that I am not very happy with th
New saddle
Great experience. Saddle arrived on date scheduled. Packaged well. As described.
Great company
Sold my saddle to the saddle bank, they arranged collection for the next day and paid with 48hrs of
Good service
Customer service was very responsive, patient, and helpful with my overseas purchase. I'm happy with
5 star!!!!
Found my dream saddle and ordered it. It arrived on the day I chose, packed and boxed well by Megan
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A really good experience
I was very impressed with the friendly and polite attitude of the staff at the Saddle Bank. They wer
Saddle is great. Quick delivery. Lots of options. ...
Saddle is great. Quick delivery. Lots of options. Helpful people. Very happy
Excellent service
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I was a bit worried that shopping for saddles in another country which is outside EU might be challa
Gfs monarch
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