Saddle position

The saddle position is called the area of ​​a horse's back from the withers to the rear, where the rider sits even without using a riding saddle .

The spinous processes of the thoracic spine (thoracic vertebrae 1 to 14) are inclined backwards as seen from the withers. Further towards the croup , these change their direction, then the spinous process of the 15th thoracic vertebra is straight and those of the 16th, 17th and 18th thoracic vertebrae incline towards the horse's head . This change in direction results in the arching of the back , which - supported by the back muscles - is necessary to be able to carry the rider's weight . From the 15th thoracic vertebra, the spinous processes come very close due to the bend in the spine. The rider's weight would bring an additional load (deflection) here, so the right place for the saddle is from the withers (9th thoracic vertebra) to the 15th thoracic vertebra. Here the rider sits above the horse's center of gravity, where it can best balance the weight on its back.

The saddle should be cleaned thoroughly before riding to avoid chafing and painful skin injuries. Likewise, possible skin changes due to saddle pressure must always be observed.

literature

• Eugen Fauquex: The distance between the horse's spinous processes in the area of ​​the saddle depending on the posture and movement . Diss., University of Zurich 1982.