Bit & Bridle

Equine Saddle Sores

Other Names

Sitfast, saddle galls, saddle rubs, pressure sores, withers sores, back sores.

What are Equine Saddle Sores?

Saddle sores are localised injuries to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and deeper structures of a horse’s back caused by ill-fitting, poorly maintained, or incorrectly positioned saddlery. They represent a significant welfare concern — a horse working with saddle-related pain often cannot perform to its potential and may develop secondary behavioural problems as it attempts to avoid discomfort.

Saddle sores occur most commonly at points of excessive pressure or friction — the withers, the centre of the back, along the panels of the saddle, and at the edges of the saddle tree. They range in severity from superficial hair loss and skin thickening to deep pressure necrosis, infection, and fistulous withers — a serious, difficult-to-treat condition involving infection deep into the supraspinous bursa at the withers.

Saddle fit is a dynamic problem. A saddle that fits well on a young horse will likely fit differently as the horse’s musculature develops or changes with condition. A saddle that fitted in winter may pinch in spring when a horse is in peak condition. Regular assessment by a qualified saddle fitter is essential for all working horses.

What Causes Saddle Sores?

Saddle sores result from mechanical forces — pressure, shear (friction), and heat — applied to skin and underlying tissue. The primary causes include:

  • Ill-fitting saddle: A saddle that is too narrow pinches the withers; too wide places excessive pressure on the spine; uneven panel contact creates focal pressure points. An imbalanced saddle (pommel too high or too low) concentrates force inappropriately.
  • Poor saddle positioning: Placing the saddle too far forward on the shoulder restricts scapular movement and creates friction; too far back loads the weakest part of the back.
  • Dirty or hard numnah/saddle pad: Accumulated sweat, dirt, and debris under a saddle pad create abrasive surfaces that damage skin.
  • Damaged saddle: Broken or twisted tree, collapsed panels, protruding nails or stitching, or uneven stuffing all cause focal pressure damage.
  • Poor saddle maintenance: Dried, cracked leather or dirty panels.
  • Horse anatomy: Prominent withers, asymmetric musculature, or a sway back increase the risk of saddle-related injury.
  • Rider imbalance: A rider who consistently sits to one side creates asymmetric pressure and increases friction on one side of the back.
  • Prolonged or intense work: Marathon competitions, long hacks, or multiple riders in a day increase cumulative tissue exposure to pressure.

Symptoms and Signs

Early detection is key to preventing minor sores from progressing to serious injury. Signs to check for after every ride, and routinely at rest:

  • Areas of heat, swelling, or sensitivity to touch under and around the saddle area
  • White hairs developing in previously dark-coated areas (indicating previous pressure damage to hair follicles)
  • Hair loss (alopecia) in circular or focal patches under the saddle area
  • Skin thickening, callus formation, or scar tissue at points of chronic pressure
  • Open sores, ulcers, or raw skin under or near the saddle
  • Swelling over the withers — particularly fluctuant (fluid-filled) swelling may indicate bursitis
  • Discharge or crust formation from open wounds

Behavioural signs of saddle-related discomfort:

  • Ears back, tension, or reluctance when being saddled
  • Dipping or sinking the back away from the saddle as it is placed
  • Biting or threatening to bite when girthing up
  • Poor or declining performance, particularly collection, lateral work, or jumping
  • Bucking, rearing, or napping during ridden work
  • Asymmetric movement or stiffness that resolves after the saddle is removed

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on physical examination of the back and saddle-contact area combined with a thorough saddle fitting assessment. Your vet may perform:

  • Palpation of the back, withers, and saddle area for pain, swelling, heat, and muscle tension
  • Assessment of existing skin lesions — depth, infection, and necrosis
  • Thermography (specialist tool) — identifies hot spots of abnormal heat distribution under the saddle
  • Ultrasound of the supraspinous bursa if fistulous withers or deep infection is suspected

A qualified saddle fitter should assess saddle fit, balance, and panel contact alongside the veterinary examination. Treating lesions without correcting the underlying saddle fit problem means the sores will recur.

See our entry on equine lameness for a broader discussion of how back pain and saddle fit interact with performance and soundness.

Treatment

Treatment depends on severity:

Mild (superficial skin damage, hair loss, mild sensitivity):

  • Remove the horse from work immediately — do not continue to work a horse with saddle sores
  • Clean the area gently with mild antiseptic wash
  • Apply soothing wound cream or barrier cream to protect damaged skin
  • Address the saddle fit problem before returning to work
  • Allow adequate rest — at least until skin has fully healed

Moderate (open sores, deeper skin damage):

  • Veterinary assessment and wound management
  • Topical antimicrobial preparations if infection is present
  • Systemic antibiotics if deeper infection is confirmed
  • In some cases, debridement of necrotic tissue
  • Do not work the horse until wounds are fully healed and saddle fit has been corrected

Fistulous withers (severe deep infection of the supraspinous bursa):

  • Requires intensive veterinary management — surgical drainage, debridement, and prolonged systemic antibiotics
  • May require referral to an equine surgical centre
  • Recovery is prolonged (months) and recurrence is possible
  • Can be complicated by Brucella abortus infection in some regions — has public health implications

Prevention

  • Have saddle fit assessed by a qualified, registered saddle fitter — at least annually and whenever the horse’s body condition changes significantly
  • Check the saddle area carefully after every ride — run your hands along the back and withers feeling for heat, swelling, or sensitivity
  • Keep numnahs and saddle pads clean — wash regularly and replace when worn or compacted
  • Keep saddle leather supple and well-maintained — dry, cracked leather is abrasive
  • Ensure correct saddle positioning at each ride — saddles should not be placed on the shoulder blade
  • Address rider balance issues — consider lunge lessons or a coaching assessment if one side of the horse’s back is consistently more affected
  • Build up new horses or horses returning from rest gradually — do not immediately put them into intensive work
  • Use correctly fitted, high-quality numnahs — a well-padded, clean numnah reduces pressure and distributes forces more evenly

When to Call the Vet

  • Open wounds, significant swelling, or discharge in the saddle area
  • Swelling over the withers — particularly fluctuant swelling suggesting bursal involvement
  • A horse showing significant back pain on palpation that does not resolve with rest
  • Wounds that are not healing or are worsening despite basic wound management
  • Any suspicion of fistulous withers — this requires prompt, intensive management
  • Behavioural changes (bucking, rearing, napping) that could be saddle-related and need diagnosis to exclude other musculoskeletal causes

Prognosis

The prognosis for mild to moderate saddle sores is excellent — provided the underlying cause (saddle fit) is addressed and the horse is given adequate rest to heal. Recurring saddle sores without addressing saddle fit or rider issues will lead to chronic skin thickening, scar tissue, and potentially permanent loss of sensation in affected areas. Fistulous withers carries a more guarded prognosis — recovery is prolonged and some horses are never able to be ridden again if deep structural damage occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my saddle fits?

A well-fitting saddle should sit level on the horse’s back (not tipping forward or back), clear the spine by two to three fingers’ width throughout its length, not pinch the withers (should clear by two to three fingers when the rider is mounted), allow free shoulder movement, and have even panel contact along its length without rocking or bridging. This is best assessed by a qualified, registered saddle fitter (look for SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS or Association of British Riding Schools accreditation in the UK) rather than attempting to assess it yourself.

Can I ride my horse with saddle sores?

No. Working a horse with saddle sores means continuing to apply the force that caused the injury to damaged tissue — this deepens and extends the injury, causes significant pain, and delays healing. The horse must have complete rest from saddled work until all lesions have healed. Returning to ridden work before healing is complete is a common mistake that turns minor sores into major problems.

Why has my horse developed white hairs on its back?

White hairs developing in a previously dark coat on the saddle area (known as “saddle marks” or pressure white) are a tell-tale sign of past pressure damage to hair follicles. The melanocytes responsible for hair pigmentation are destroyed by pressure, and the follicles regrow white hair permanently. White hairs on the back almost always indicate previous saddle fit problems, even if there are no current active sores. Have your saddle fit professionally assessed to prevent further damage.

What is fistulous withers and how serious is it?

Fistulous withers is a serious condition in which deep infection — typically involving the supraspinous bursa at the withers — creates draining tracts (fistulae) that discharge pus through the skin. The infection can spread to deep tissues, bone, and the vertebral column if untreated. In some regions (particularly where cattle and horses share pasture), the condition may be associated with Brucella abortus infection, which has implications for human health. Fistulous withers requires immediate and intensive veterinary management — it cannot be managed with simple wound care and may require surgery and weeks to months of antibiotics.