A Better Saddle Fit Starts Before You Mount

A well-fitted saddle is one of the most important pieces of equipment in eventing. It influences the horse’s comfort, the rider’s balance and the way both partners communicate through dressage, jumping and cross-country. Checking the fit before every ride helps identify small changes before they become painful or performance-limiting problems.

A saddle that fitted perfectly last month may sit differently today. Horses gain or lose condition, develop muscle, change shape through training and carry themselves differently after a demanding session. Riders can also alter their position, tack arrangement or clothing, which means a familiar saddle still deserves a fresh inspection.

For riders in Australia, saddle care also needs to account for heat, dust, long float trips and varied footing. A horse working in humid Brisbane conditions may feel different from one training through a dry winter in Melbourne or on firmer ground near Sydney. A simple pre-ride routine keeps comfort and safety at the centre of every schooling session.

Start With The Horse’s Back

Begin with a clean, dry back. Dirt, dried sweat and small pieces of bedding can create pressure points beneath the panels, so brush the horse thoroughly before placing the saddle. Run your hands over the topline and look for heat, swelling, sensitivity or areas where the horse reacts unusually.

Position the saddle without a pad first. It should sit behind the shoulder blade, with the front edge allowing the shoulder to move freely. The tree should follow the horse’s ribcage rather than bridge across the back or press sharply at the withers. A saddle placed too far forward can restrict the shoulder, while one set too far back may overload the weaker part of the back.

Check the clearance at the withers and along the channel. There should be room for the horse’s spine, with even contact through the panels. The saddle should look level from the side, although the correct position depends on the horse’s conformation and the design of the saddle. A qualified saddle fitter remains essential when the fit is uncertain.

Examine The Girth And Pad

The saddle pad should be clean, smooth and appropriate for the horse’s shape. Fold it up into the gullet so it cannot press on the withers, then pull it gently up into the saddle’s panels. Excess material trapped beneath the saddle can form ridges and cause rubbing during a long ride.

A thicker pad does not automatically correct a poor fit. It can sometimes disguise pressure or make a saddle too tight, particularly around a broad shoulder or a horse that has developed more topline. Choose a pad that supports the existing fit and remains stable through movement.

The girth should sit in the horse’s natural girth groove without pulling the saddle forward. Fasten each billet gradually and check that the buckles are even on both sides. On an eventing horse, breastplates and martingales should be fitted snugly enough to serve their purpose without restricting breathing or shoulder action.

Before mounting, run a hand beneath the front and back of the saddle to check that nothing has folded, twisted or caught. Lift the pad at the withers, confirm that the girth is secure and inspect the stirrup leathers for damage. These few seconds can prevent an avoidable tack failure.

Check Movement After Mounting

The real test begins when the horse moves. Mount quietly, preferably from a mounting block, and check whether the saddle shifts as weight is added. A small amount of settling is normal, but sliding sideways, rolling or dropping heavily at the front suggests that the fit, girth or pad needs attention.

Walk for several minutes before beginning serious work. Notice whether the horse lengthens the neck, swings through the back and steps evenly. Resistance, shortened strides, tail swishing, hollowing or repeated attempts to stop can have many causes, but saddle discomfort should be considered early rather than dismissed as a schooling issue.

During transitions, circles and rising trot, pay attention to your own position. If you are repeatedly pushed toward the pommel or cantle, the saddle may be affecting your balance. A secure eventing saddle should allow a centred seat in dressage, a lighter position over fences and a stable base during faster cross-country work.

When returning from a ride, remove the saddle promptly and inspect the horse’s back. Sweat patterns should be reasonably even, with no dry spots surrounded by heavy sweating that could indicate concentrated pressure. Run your fingers over the skin for swelling, rubs or tenderness, and record anything unusual.

Adapt To Australian Conditions

Weather and training surfaces have a direct effect on saddle comfort. In a hot Queensland summer, sweat can make a pad slide and soften the skin beneath the girth. In dry parts of South Australia or western New South Wales, fine dust can collect under tack even when the horse looks clean. A thorough brush and regular washing of pads are practical essentials.

Australian riders often travel considerable distances to clinics, competitions and cross-country schooling venues. Long float trips can leave a horse stiff, warm or slightly dehydrated, so the saddle should be checked again after arrival rather than relying on the fit at home. Allow the horse to walk, drink and settle before mounting.

Seasonal condition changes are common around metropolitan and regional yards, including those near Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. A horse carrying less muscle after a break may need a different adjustment from the same horse returning to work with a stronger topline. Local saddle fitters who understand eventing can assess these changes more accurately than a generic pad or online fitting chart.

Australian competition culture also places value on practical, well-maintained gear. Whether preparing for a Pony Club rally, an Equestrian Australia event or a local agricultural show, riders should inspect buckles, stitching, girth elastic and stirrup bars as carefully as they check the saddle’s position. Reliable equipment supports confidence when conditions change quickly.

Build A Reliable Pre-Ride Routine

A consistent inspection is easier when it follows the same order every time: horse’s back, saddle placement, pad, girth, attachments, mounting and movement. This routine should take only a few minutes once it becomes familiar. Keeping a small notebook or phone record can help connect changes in behaviour with saddle adjustments, workload and body condition.

Professional assessment is worthwhile at regular intervals and whenever the horse changes shape, develops soreness or begins moving differently. Bring the saddle, usual pad, girth and any breastplate or other equipment to the appointment. The fitter needs to see the complete setup, since accessories can alter how the saddle sits.

Good riders also keep learning from other sports and disciplines. Preparation, equipment checks and respect for the details behind performance are shared principles, whether someone is studying eventing or reading about a competitor’s preferred tournament in Bangkok sporting history. The lesson is simple: reliable results usually begin before the main performance starts.

For Dom and Jimmie Schramm, careful preparation fits naturally with the demands of three-day eventing. Dressage precision, show jumping accuracy and cross-country commitment all depend on a horse that can move freely and a rider who can stay balanced. Tack checks are part of that preparation, not an interruption to it.

A saddle should feel secure without feeling restrictive, and the horse should finish work comfortable enough to stretch, eat and recover normally. When a concern appears, stop, dismount and investigate rather than trying to ride through it. Riders seeking further information or wanting to connect with Schramm Equestrian can use the Schramm Equestrian contact page to stay close to the team’s work and eventing activities.

Make saddle inspection a habit before every ride, keep records of changes and arrange professional help when the fit is unclear. Small checks protect the horse’s back, sharpen the rider’s position and create a safer foundation for every training session and competition.