UK saddle survey part 1Â â saddle use & preferences in horses and riders
In: Comparative Exercise PhysiologySearch for other papers by D.J. Marlin in
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Abstract
Saddles are almost certainly one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment and are used by the majority of riders in many equestrian disciplines. Despite a large number of studies relating to saddle fit and function, there appear to be no published data describing the basic demographics of saddle use, rider preferences or discipline differences. This study was designed as an online survey consisting of 20 closed questions and 4 open free text questions split into three sections: (1) participant demographics; (2) saddle use; and (3) impact of saddle use on the horse and rider. The survey was live for 20 days and 65% of the responses were obtained within the first 8 days. A total of 4,527 horse owners/keepers undertook the survey with 3,624 complete responses (80.1% completion rate). The majority of respondents were female (98.1%, n = 3,555). The four most popular disciplines respondents participated in were pleasure riding/hacking (82.6%, n = 2,994), dressage (71.6%, n = 2,595), show jumping (48.2%, n = 1,747) and eventing (33.3%, n = 1,205). Most horse owners and keepers engaged in non-competitive or local/unaffiliated level competition (59.0%, n = 2,136). The majority of respondents (59.2%, n = 2,145) did not use saddles on more than one horse. When selecting a saddle, respondents valued comfort for the horse as essential (92.6%, n = 4,073), followed by injury prevention (essential; 66.5%, n = 2,838) and then performance related attributes (essential; 56.9%, n = 2,459). When selecting a saddle to buy, durability was the most important feature for respondents (92.5%), who also rated weight, price, and leather (63.0%, 66.5% and 67.7%, respectively) as key attributes they would require.
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Anthony, D.W., 2011. The secondary products revolution, horse-riding, and mounted warfare. Journal of World Prehistory 24: 131-160.
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Bini, R. and Priego-Quesada, J., 2022. Methods to determine saddle height in cycling and implications of changes in saddle height in performance and injury risk: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences 40: 386-400.
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Bystrom, A., Roepstorff, L., Rhodin, M., Serra Braganca, F., Engell, M.T., Hernlund, E., Persson-Sjodin, E., van Weeren, R., Weishaupt, M.A. and Egenvall, A., 2018. Lateral movement of the saddle relative to the equine spine in rising and sitting trot on a treadmill. PLoS ONE 13: e0200534. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200534
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Dittmann, M.T., Arpagaus, S., Hungerbuhler, V., Weishaupt, M.A. and Latif, S.N., 2021. âFeel the forceâ-prevalence of subjectively assessed saddle fit problems in swiss riding horses and their association with saddle pressure measurements and back pain. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 99: 103388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103388
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Dyson, S. and Pollard, D., 2020. Application of a ridden horse pain ethogram and its relationship with gait in a convenience sample of 60 riding horses. Animals 10: 1044.
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Dyson, S., Carson, S. and Fisher, M., 2015. Saddle fitting, recognising an ill-fitting saddle and the consequences of an ill-fitting saddle to horse and rider. Equine Veterinary Education 27: 533-543.
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Hawson, L.A., McLean, A.N. and McGreevy, P.D., 2013. A retrospective survey of ridersâ opinions of the use of saddle pads in horses. Journal of Veterinary Behaviour 8: 74-81.
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MacKechnie-Guire, R., MacKechnie-Guire, E., Fairfax, V., Fisher, D., Fisher, M. and Pfau, T., 2019. The effect of tree width on thoracolumbar and limb kinematics, saddle pressure distribution, and thoracolumbar dimensions in sports horses in trot and canter. Animals 9: 842. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100842
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Nankervis, K.J., Bradley, F., Kosek, K. and Dyson, S.J., 2019. Investigation of the reliability of saddle fitters to determine the position of the last thoracic vertebra of horses using palpation techniques: a pilot study. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 77: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.02.003
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Rhodin, M., Egenvall, A., Andersen, P.H. and Pfau, T., 2015. Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses perceived as sound by their owner. Equine Veterinary Journal 47: 10-11.
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Tabor, G., Williams, J.M. and Marlin, D.J., 2023. Saddle related equine back pain, muscle condition and behaviour. Comparative Exercise Physiology 18: S84.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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UK saddle survey part 1Â â saddle use & preferences in horses and riders
In: Comparative Exercise PhysiologySearch for other papers by D.J. Marlin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by J.M. Williams in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by G. Tabor in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Saddles are almost certainly one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment and are used by the majority of riders in many equestrian disciplines. Despite a large number of studies relating to saddle fit and function, there appear to be no published data describing the basic demographics of saddle use, rider preferences or discipline differences. This study was designed as an online survey consisting of 20 closed questions and 4 open free text questions split into three sections: (1) participant demographics; (2) saddle use; and (3) impact of saddle use on the horse and rider. The survey was live for 20 days and 65% of the responses were obtained within the first 8 days. A total of 4,527 horse owners/keepers undertook the survey with 3,624 complete responses (80.1% completion rate). The majority of respondents were female (98.1%, n = 3,555). The four most popular disciplines respondents participated in were pleasure riding/hacking (82.6%, n = 2,994), dressage (71.6%, n = 2,595), show jumping (48.2%, n = 1,747) and eventing (33.3%, n = 1,205). Most horse owners and keepers engaged in non-competitive or local/unaffiliated level competition (59.0%, n = 2,136). The majority of respondents (59.2%, n = 2,145) did not use saddles on more than one horse. When selecting a saddle, respondents valued comfort for the horse as essential (92.6%, n = 4,073), followed by injury prevention (essential; 66.5%, n = 2,838) and then performance related attributes (essential; 56.9%, n = 2,459). When selecting a saddle to buy, durability was the most important feature for respondents (92.5%), who also rated weight, price, and leather (63.0%, 66.5% and 67.7%, respectively) as key attributes they would require.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 649 | 202 | 20 |
| Full Text Views | 63 | 28 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 195 | 56 | 3 |
