Not Everybody is a Size Zero

“I need to talk to you about something difficult”….This is the phrase that my husband uses to start a family discussion that may involve issues like my buying another horse without mentioning it to him.  My sensitive topic this month involves plus size riders.  It is no secret that Americans are getting larger. We’ve all read the reports of less healthy diets, lack of exercise etc, etc, but this is becoming a real challenge to fitting both the rider and the horse comfortably and correctly.

Here is the dilemma. One of the rules of saddle fitting dictates that the saddle should not extend beyond the 18^th thoracic vertebrae. The reason for this is it corresponds with the placement of the end of the ribcage of the horse. This part of the spine has the best ability to support weight. After you get past the thoracic spine into the lumbar spine, there is nothing under this part of the spinal column to support weight. One of the other rules of saddle fit is that the rider must not be jammed into too small a seat.  When that happens, the rider will be pushed into the pommel and probably rolled forwards onto their pubic bones. The rider will be out of balance, and quite probably rigid and stiff as they attempt to rescue themselves from an unstable and painful posture.

So, what do we do with a large rider on a small or short coupled horse? Personally, I prefer to break the 18^th vertebrae rule, because I think less damage gets done if the rider is sitting correctly, versus the alternative choice of the rider in an awkward position. But with that said, I’ll quote the line “compromises are rarely satisfactory to both sides” and in this case, the horse loses out.

The other saddle fitting rule that comes in question is the concept of a very large, generous weight bearing panel. This is great if you have enough back to support that larger panel, but if the horse’s back is short, any extension of the panel may cause some of that weight bearing surface to be too far back. In some cases, an upswept panel that curves up at the rear may be more comfortable for the horse than a sharp end of a thick gusset.

What can we do? I won’t even go into the health kick because I know that people are not overweight by choice. A bigger horse is not always a convenient choice, especially if you already have a mount that you are fond of. Riders can work on strengthening their core muscles and paying particular attention to excellent posture and balance in the saddle. Often times, saddles with a flatter, more open seat and a smaller kneeroll or block can be better for a heavier posterior and thigh. A leg that is heavy in the front will often be shoved back by a big thigh block, or worse yet, the leg may want to creep over the block causing the hips to lock, knees to open and toes to turn out.

There are several good protector pads that are available. We have been very happy with both the Thinline and Mattes pads. A horse that is being ridden by a heavier rider may benefit a lot from one of these pads. Remember, as you add more thickness of pad, you need to make sure that your saddle is wide enough to accommodate it.

From a schooling and training standpoint, take a bit of extra time to build your horse’s back. Regular riding, fitness, cavaletti, a focus on long and low work, hill climbing and gymnastics make a huge difference. A thoughtful and careful warm up is important, as is careful attention to your horse’s shoes and foot balance to make sure he is able to be the athlete you are asking him to be. Practice standing up in your stirrups and work on two point (even if you are a dressage rider!) After work, a good massage and chiropractic care also come into play so your horse is not stiff and tired.

And lastly, pay close attention to the panels on your saddle. A heavier rider will tend to make panels flatten out. If the rider is crooked in any way, a saddle can quickly become asymmetrical. Under normal riding conditions, we suggest checking the saddle once a year to determine if it needs to be reflocked or bumped up. Some saddles can go a very long time and never need attention but if you have any sense that the saddle is sitting crooked or is nose-diving, call your fitter for a checkup!

Riders and trainers….please share your anecdotes of successes (and otherwise) with us! We’d love to know what saddles have worked for you!

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