Wearing boots or shoes that don’t fit properly can be both uncomfortable and painful. So much so, in fact, that

By Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor

Exercise’s Effects on Horses’ Back Dimensions and Saddle Fit

If you’re a runner, you’ve probably noticed that after a 45-minute jog your calf muscles seem a bit swollen or enlarged. They are responding to post-training fluid shifts, fiber hypertrophy (thickening), and the general strain of exercise. Horses’ muscles, particularly along the back, respond to exercise in the same way. Have you ever thought about what effect this might have on your saddle’s fit as your horse works?