Attending my first saddle-fitting clinic in 2014 was an eye-opening experience for me. I grew up riding bareback, and when I finally did ride a horse with a saddle, I thought it was enough to know which end of the saddle should face the front, and how I
should fasten the girth (or cinch). The clinician taught me the importance of learning how to determine whether the saddle fits the horse and fits the rider. Much has been written about the issues caused by incorrect saddle fit - issues such as saddle sores or tense muscles, to more serious issues such as a horse that bucks or rears or acts out. How the saddle fits the horse and rider together has an impact on the horse's ability to move correctly, and the rider's position and ability to give correct aids.
"The Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle Fit Book" by Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this topic. The chapters delve into why fit matters, how to identify what the problem is, how to evaluate a saddle prior to purchase, and so much more. The final chapter gives the reader excellent information about how to care for your horse's back. No matter what discipline you ride, and what kind of saddle you use, I think you would find that this book has information you can use.
Thank you so much for sharing! I distinctly remember my first saddle fitting experience, and the amazing difference it made in how my horse moved and responded when using a saddle that fit him well! I became aware of how often saddles pinch or put pressure in the wrong places, and how important it is to have a saddle that does not make the horse suffer.