Saddle Sweat Pattern Question

[ChasPonyCat]

Because there aren’t enough threads about saddle fit…

I know the goal is even sweat patterns, but does this mean everything under saddle should be damp, or that a uniform amount of dampness should be everywhere?

My horse is getting drier-looking spots behind his withers, but when I touch them they are sweaty, just not as sweaty as behind. It’s been hot here, so it’s not difficult to get “soaking” wet. For instance, yesterday after riding under most of the saddle area he was soaking wet and some slight foam, and behind his withers he was sweaty but not soaking. The saddle pad itself seemed evenly wet all over.

[OldLadyYoungOTTB]

This is a great question–I am also wondering! If it’s hot enough, my horse’s whole saddle area is wet, but if he gets a light workout, there are patches.

[Covergirl15]

According to my saddle fitter (who just came out a couple weeks ago), as long as the drier patches are bigger than hand-sized, and even on both sides, then it’s nothing to be concerned about!

[OldLadyYoungOTTB]

[QUOTE=Covergirl15;8709257]
According to my saddle fitter (who just came out a couple weeks ago), as long as the drier patches are bigger than hand-sized, and even on both sides, then it’s nothing to be concerned about![/QUOTE]

The drier patches need to be bigger? That seems backwards…wouldn’t you want bigger areas of contact? Or am I incorrect in thinking that they would sweat more where there’s more contact?

[doublesstable]

I understand the dry areas are where pressure is greater. And that’s not what you want.

Get a shimable pad and play around with it to see if you can get an even sweat pattern. Try/borrow different saddles until you get a even sweat pattern and a comfortable horse.

I have been blessed (or cursed) recently - my horses will move like crud and are cranky with a saddle that doesn’t fit ever so slightly. When I use one of my saddles they both like they are happy. It’s nice when the horse tells you

I have tried many saddles over a 30 year period and have had many saddle fitters out. What I find interesting is they will put the saddle on the horse without a girth and say YES this saddle fits perfectly. Um??? NO. You need to not only girth up the saddle but get in it to see what your weight does to the underside panels.

[frankiec]

this explains why it might be happening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I19xrxkgrNo

[ChasPonyCat]

[QUOTE=doublesstable;8709433]
I understand the dry areas are where pressure is greater. And that’s not what you want.

Get a shimable pad and play around with it to see if you can get an even sweat pattern. Try/borrow different saddles until you get a even sweat pattern and a comfortable horse.

I have been blessed (or cursed) recently - my horses will move like crud and are cranky with a saddle that doesn’t fit ever so slightly. When I use one of my saddles they both like they are happy. It’s nice when the horse tells you .[/QUOTE]

That’s part of the reason I’m wondering…he doesn’t seem unhappy or uncomfortable at all. He’s working great and there isn’t any reaction if I palpate his back, when I girth up, etc.

Obviously I don’t want to make him sore or uncomfortable or ride in an ill fitting saddle, but it got me wondering.

[Covergirl15]

Her point in not wanting small, dry patches was that that meant the flocking was lumpy and creating those pressure points.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=frankiec;8709453]
this explains why it might be happening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I19xrxkgrNo[/QUOTE]

I don’t know how much I agree with this. Several of my saddles don’t leave that mark and they fit great.

IMHO, if the saddle is well balanced with rider in the seat that kidney shaped pressure mark should not be created.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=ChasPonyCat;8709713]
That’s part of the reason I’m wondering…he doesn’t seem unhappy or uncomfortable at all. He’s working great and there isn’t any reaction if I palpate his back, when I girth up, etc.

Obviously I don’t want to make him sore or uncomfortable or ride in an ill fitting saddle, but it got me wondering.[/QUOTE]

It’s good to research and try to be on top of your horses health. I wish I knew and could help more. Sounds like you are keeping an eye on the fit and the horse is happy.

[Scribbler]

Dry spots can also be also from the saddle not touching, ie, bridging.

[Sparky_Boy]

A saddle I just bought is making that kidney shaped dry spot pretty equally on both sides. According to that schleese video it’s normal. I’m confused, I always thought dry spots meant too much presure and obviously that’s bad.

So according to schleese, this example is good?
https://flic.kr/s/aHskDn4P2C

[no.stirrups]

IMHO, I prefer not to see the kidney-shaped dry spot. It’s not the worst thing, but it isn’t the best either. I do expect to see more sweat at the very front and rear of the saddle due to friction, but with a larger area in between than described in the video.

I have been blessed (or cursed) recently - my horses will move like crud and are cranky with a saddle that doesn’t fit ever so slightly.

Doublesstable, me too! My horse would never let it get to the point of uneven sweat patterns!

Sparkyboy, your sweat patterns are not unreasonable, but consider them as one clue to the overall impression. How does your horse move in the saddle? Does he have enough wither clearance (it looks a little low in front)? Do the panels conform to his back when viewed from behind? Is it stable while you ride, or does it rock? I suspect the latter, which brings up kind of an interesting point:

Schleese is also of the opinion that some rock in the saddle is a good thing, but most saddlefitters I know believe the saddle should be stable, and some think a slight bridge is a good thing as it allows room for the horse’s back to come up. Where you (and your saddle fitter) stand on these issues of fit will impact the sweat patterns they expect to see.

[Sparky_Boy]

Thanks. I’m in the camp that says saddle should not move. This saddle does sit low but doesn’t touch the wither. I’d prefer more clearance.