You know you have a problem if any of the following become apparent:
• Open wounds or sores under the saddle area
• White hairs
• Hard lumps
• Rubs in the hair
• Temporary swelling under the saddle after exercise
• Muscle wastage in the saddle area, particularly behind the shoulder.
Sometimes a problem with your saddle fit is not so obvious and a behavioral problem or a performance issue is the first sign. Often the saddle can be to blame when a sudden or progressive
change in your horses behavior or performance occurs.
• Objects to the saddle or girth
• Fidgeting when mounting
• Reluctance to go forwards
• Hollowing and evading the contact
• Bucking or rearing
• Transition’s become hesitant/unbalanced.
• Tree flex’s excessively
• Saddle sits too low on the horses back, maybe even touching the withers
• Saddle is sitting too high and tipping back, maybe pinching
• The flocking is lumpy and uneven
• Saddle is moving or bouncing.