Is your horse girthy? Does he look unhappy when you brush his back or when you put the saddle on? Does he struggle to bend or pick up the canter on one rein more than the other? Any of these could indicate that your saddle doesn't fit your horse properly. Don't forget to have it checked regularly! #repost #equitopiacenter Did you know that an ill-fitting saddle can have a negative effect not only your horse’s back, but his neck too? Longissimus dorsi, the long back muscle spanning along the entire length of the horse’s back attaches to the last cervical vertebrae. If this muscle becomes tight and restricted due to an ill-fitting saddle, it starts to limit the range of motion of the neck. This causes tightness of the neck muscles and the muscles of the thoracic sling. In the long run it can cause degenerative joint disease in the neck vertebrae. Horses that have experienced badly fitting saddles benefit from training aimed at raising the base of the neck and lifting through the withers...