Saddle fitting for a horse with a hollow back – Perfect for a good saddle fit!

Bridges off the saddle? Cause?

Saddle Bridging? Cause?

Saddle Bridging is a common problem in horses. In general, the horse's back drops to the center of the topline. Sometimes this is referred to as a “Sway Back”. This can be caused by a poor saddle fit, but there are many other causes that can cause a hollow back. Proper muscle development is essential to turning over hollow horses.

Most sway backs are not congenital. The sway is the result of a lack of muscle across the topline, and building muscle correctly will solve the problem!

A correct saddle fit is essential to encourage horses to lift their backs. A saddle that causes “bridging” is often what creates the sway back.

Body type also plays a role. Horses with long backs are generally more prone to back problems. Horses with high necks are more at risk because they naturally tend to arch their backs when working. A more detailed article about it Sway Back You can find horses here.

 

Saddle bridges and the Pain

A swayback can cause pain because most saddles cause “bridging,” where the rider's weight is placed on the front and back of the saddle, which creates abnormal pressure points, especially over the shoulders and lumbar region. A poor saddle fit can contribute to a swayback because the horse will adjust its stride and movement, including arching its back and lifting its head to avoid pain.

Poorly fitting saddles worsen the problem and prevent proper muscle development.

And now the solution! 

To correct saddles that bridge, you can use a pad with adjustable shims uses that are placed in the “opening”. All cotton ThinLine pads have pockets in which you can place appropriate shims! This creates even contact with the saddle cushions. Using appropriate shims will allow the horse to move more comfortably, allowing the muscles to develop and the shims to eventually be removed.

• ThinLine Shims can be stacked, allowing riders to remove layer by layer as the horse's back strengthens and lifts.
• Trust Master Saddle Fitter ThinLine pads en appropriate shims to alleviate swayback problems. We have created the perfect self-cutting shims to exactly solve the bridging problem in the saddle.

A good saddle fit, both for a horse with a swayback and without, leads to a safe, relaxed ride. Your horse will behave well, stay healthy and enjoy the ride. Your driving skills will also improve.

You don't have to be an expert to tell if your saddle doesn't fit, but it is advisable to have a professional check it. Once you are sure you have a saddle with the correct tree size for your horse, pay attention to how your horse behaves and how your body feels to determine if you have the right fit.

Be careful with overuse Shims!

Using too many shims can actually cause the horse to turn away from the pressure. If you have too much shims used, your saddle will rock back and forth. Start thin, you can always shims exchange for the next thickest size. The best method is to make several very thin ones shims to use, stack them and then remove them layer by layer as your horse develops muscle tone.

ThinLine offers all our customers a money back guarantee that your saddle will fit better. Pads sewn with ThinLine on cotton, sheepskin, felt, etc. have an opening to add shims. Shims are available for any combination of pads.

How can you tell if your saddle may have a bad fit?