A new study has identified a significant link between hind limb lameness and saddle slip, showing consistent saddle slip in some horses with hind limb lameness, even when the lameness is fairly subtle and difficult to detect.
The aim of the study was to find out more about the interrelationships between the horse, saddle and rider and to document the frequency of occurrence of saddle slip in horses with hind limb lameness compared with other horses.
The research is thought to be the first study of its kind which assessed 128 horses of varying size, age and type. The study which was supported by the Saddle Research Trust (SRT) was undertaken by Line Greve, Intern, and Sue Dyson, at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket was presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress last month.
The degree of lameness of each horse was graded; back shape and symmetry were measured and saddles assessed for symmetry and fit. Each horse was ridden by at least two riders and rider straightness plus weight was recorded. The grade of saddle slip, whether it occurred with more than one rider, and whether saddle slip was influenced by the direction of movement or the diagonal on which the rider was sitting were also noted.
The study found the saddle consistently slipped to one side in 54% of horses with hind limb lameness, compared with 4% of horses with fore limb lameness, 0% with back pain and/or sacroiliac joint region pain and 0% of non-lame horses. Diagnostic analgesia was subsequently used to abolish the hind limb lameness and this eliminated the saddle slip in 97% of cases.
The study highlights the importance of identifying saddle slip and the opportunity for owners, riders and trainers to detect low-grade subclinical lameness.
Further information can be found on the Animal Health Trust website.