Summary
Reasons for performing study
We have observed saddle slip consistently to one side because of a crooked rider, an ill-fitting saddle, asymmetry in a horse's thoracolumbar shape and lameness. Currently, there are no objective data assessing the relative importance of each factor.
Objectives and hypotheses
To document the frequency of occurrence of saddle slip in horses with hindlimb lameness compared with other horses; to describe the effect of lameness characteristics and grade, the abolition of lameness by diagnostic analgesia, breed, size, thoracolumbar shape and symmetry and the rider's weight.
Methods
One hundred and twenty-eight horses were assessed prospectively and lameness and saddle slip were assigned a grade before and after diagnostic analgesia. The thoracolumbar shape and symmetry were measured objectively. In 3 horses the force distribution and magnitude underneath the saddle were measured before and after diagnostic analgesia.
Results
The saddle consistently slipped to one side in 38/71 (54%) of horses with hindlimb lameness, compared with 1/26 (4%) horses with forelimb lameness, 0/20 (0%) with back pain and/or sacroiliac joint region pain and 0/11 (0%) non-lame horses. The association between saddle slip and hindlimb lameness was significant (r2 0.548, p<0.001). Diagnostic analgesia abolishing the hindlimb lameness eliminated the saddle slip in 37/38 horses (97%). In 2 horses the saddle continued to slip after resolution of lameness; one horse had bilateral forelimb lameness and the other horse had concurrent hindlimb and forelimb lameness. The saddle of both horses was asymmetrically flocked. The saddle slipped to the side of the lamest hindlimb in most horses (32/37 [86%]). No horse with saddle slip had significant left–right asymmetry of the back at 4 predetermined sites.
Conclusions and clinical relevance
Hindlimb lameness is an important factor in inducing saddle slip. Saddle slip may be an indicator of the presence of hindlimb lameness.
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