When it comes to personal gear for the trail rider, there is nothing more personal than the saddle. You probably have opinions about what you like to see in a saddle, and if you have been riding for several years, your experience has likely shifted those opinions somewhat.

You could be dressed to kill if your riding boots do not sport a wedge heel. A moment of imbalance is all it takes for a foot to slide through the stirrup creating the potential for a nasty accident. Being dragged by the ankle rarely ends well for the rider. Wearing a boot with a low wedge heel and ankle support significantly reduces your chances of dangling upside down from an animal that flees danger first and asks questions later. Types of sole and tread also require consideration.

This issue’s focus on equine back problems is an opportune time to examine the relationship between equine back disorders and saddle fit. The issue of “kissing spines,” or overriding dorsal spinous processes, is of concern to many riders.

Shorter riders need specific changes in saddle design and fit to accommodate their body types. As obvious as it may seem, just shortening the flap will not create a better saddle fit for someone who is of smaller stature. When the knee roll or the leg support of the saddle hits the knee, it can turn the leg out from the horse, making it difficult to keep the lower and upper inner leg against the horse.