Saddle Fit Essentials: Winter Wellness Guide

As the weather becomes wetter and the temperatures drop, equestrians across the northern hemisphere prepare for the challenges of autumn and winter riding. It's a time when both horse and rider face unique hurdles, including the impact of changing weather conditions on your horse's physique and the importance of keeping them in tip top condition.

At David Dyer Saddles, we understand the significance of maintaining your horse's health and comfort throughout the year. In this blog, we'll delve into the importance of saddle fit and why horses often face weight and muscle loss during the colder months.

Saddle fit is crucial to your horse's well-being and performance. A well-fitted saddle ensures that your horse can move freely and comfortably, reducing the risk of discomfort, pain, and potential injury. During the autumn and winter, your horse may have a change in workload, living conditions or routine which can alter their body shape. Proper saddle fit becomes even more critical in these months.

Our team of expert saddle fitters at David Dyer Saddles can provide professional advice on ensuring your saddle fits your horse's changing physique. A poorly fitted saddle can lead to issues such as soreness, muscle atrophy, and even behavioural problems, making it a priority for horse owners to keep close attention to any changes. We know times are tough but regular saddle maintenance can potentially save money by avoiding and preventing injury to the horse that may require extra treatments physio or extended time off for recovery.

As the days grow shorter and temperatures colder, horses often experience changes in their weight and muscle condition. Here's why:

1. Limited Grazing: Reduced pasture availability in the autumn and winter means horses may not have access to fresh, nutrient-rich forage. This can lead to weight loss.
2. Caloric Requirements: Horses burn more calories to stay warm during cold weather, and they may struggle to maintain their weight without the right nutrition.
3. Limited Exercise: Cold, wet, or icy conditions can limit turnout and exercise, which can contribute to muscle loss and reduced condition.
4. Stress: Changes in routine, colder temperatures, and reduced social interaction can lead to stress, further affecting your horse's overall health.

To ensure your horse stays in top shape during the colder months, consider the following tips:

1. Regular Health Checks: make time to properly monitor your horse's weight, muscle condition, and overall health. We can all be guilty of a quick flick off and tack up to get cracking in the dark before or after work. Make time on a weekend once a month to fully remove all their rugs and properly assess their condition and tack fit.
2. Adjust Nutrition: Consult with a nutritionist or your feed company to adapt your horse's diet to meet their increased or decreased caloric requirements. A lot of feed companies offer a weighbridge and feed advise service which is an excellent way to have an expert look over your horse and give you advise on their nutritional needs.
3. Maintain Exercise: If possible, continue a regular exercise routine to keep your horse active and engaged. If you are not able to use your outdoor arena due to it becoming deep or waterlogged, hacking is a great option even at walk to keep their muscle condition. If your horse normally has some downtime in the winter remember to let them down and rough them off with some gentle work.
4. Proper rugging: Invest in quality horse rugs at different weights to help your equine friend stay warm and dry in adverse weather conditions. Also ensure that your horse is not over rugged. It's not uncommon for people to think their rugs are leaking because they're damp inside but actually the horse has got too hot, this also has a negative effect on their metabolism. If you can stretch your budget to having 1 or 2 spares just in case of a ripped rug emergency!
5. Saddle Fit Checks: Don't forget the importance of saddle fit! Your horse can experience changes in body shape throughout the winter months, so make sure to have your saddle checks booked in, in advance as fitter’s diary’s fill up fast at this time of year. You can check on our website here (enter link) if our David Dyer Saddles fitters cover your area.

The autumn and winter months bring their own set of challenges for horse owners, but with the right care and attention, your horse can stay healthy, comfortable, and ready for action. At David Dyer Saddles, we're committed to providing you with the best advice and products to enhance the performance of both you and your horse, all year round.

Remember, a well-fitted saddle is an integral part of keeping your horse in optimal condition, no matter the season. Feel free to reach out to our team for professional saddle fitting guidance. We're here to help you and your horse thrive throughout the year.

Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy your autumn and winter rides!