May 2002

Put An End To Saddle Slip

Start with a properly fitting saddle, then reach for the right pad and girth to help that saddle stay off the horse’s shoulders.

We want saddles to stay in place, ûas a saddle that slips too far forward ûcan be uncomfortable for everyone.

Most riders know almost instinctively when a saddle is too far back. As a matter of fact, many riders overcompensate for this by actually placing the saddle too far forward on their horse. But too far forward is as bad as too far back, as the saddle will interfere with the horse’s shoulder movement.

Even if initially placed properly, some saddles seem to slide forward or backward on their own. We realize that proper saddle fit is supposed to solve this problem—and we emphasize that there is no quick fix for a poorly fitting saddle—but we also know the reality is that some riders must deal with a saddle that…