There’s a natural forward momentum in the horse’s movement that saddles need to accommodate, along with other contributing factors.

Young or underdeveloped horses can drop 2–3 cm at the withers under the rider’s weight—even with featherweight riders. This drop can cause the saddle to shift forward, increasing the risk of scapula trauma. As horses become correctly trained and gain strength, especially through the back and core, the withers begin to lift. This can change saddle behavior—sometimes improving stability, other times causing the saddle to shift backwards instead.

Rider influence also plays a significant role. Riders with heavy or strong hands can unintentionally pull the saddle forward—I've seen this many times on the same horse, with the same saddle, on the same day. A rider with a soft hand? The saddle stays stable.

Girths also impact stability. There are many great options out there, and the best choice depends on the individual horse. Personally, I’m not a fan of overly elastic girths—they tend to create too much saddle movement. A girth will always want to settle into a near-vertical position. Some saddle brands, like Fairfax or Kent & Masters, offer flexible girthing options which help correct the angle and stabilize the saddle better.

The term “holistic” gets thrown around a lot, but in this context, it really does matter—everything is connected. The saddle is just one piece of the puzzle. The farrier, vet, diet, training program, and the rider’s position all play a role in how the saddle behaves and how the horse performs.

Would you like to dive into how saddle fit affects the rider's position and balance next? That’s a big one too, and really ties everything together.