If the tack being used on a horse fits poorly, there is no way the animal is going to enjoy being ridden. Not only will the animal be uncomfortable, but the riding gear may cause friction and pressure sores that create pain and skin injuries.

Indications of Improperly Fitting Gear

Behavioral Change

When a client says that their horse is acting out of character, it may be that the animal is having an issue with its tack. A change in behavior is one of the top indications that a horse is uncomfortable or is in pain, and more often than not, it is related to equipment that fits poorly. Examples of related behavioral issues may include the following signs:

• Head-shy
• Hunching of the back
• Refusal to move
• Hesitancy
• Agitation
• Aggression
• Biting
• Bucking
• Rearing.

Friction and Pressure Sores

When tack is not sized appropriately, friction and pressure sore injuries will appear. Clients need to know to always watch for signs that could be related to a type of equipment-related skin injury. For example, when tack is removed after an exercise period, check the horse over for:

• Rubbed or chafed skin

• Swollen areas
• Hair that is rough-looking, ruffled, or missing
• Tender to the touch areas
• Raised, hot area.

Types of Skin Injuries Caused by Friction and Pressure Sores

Many skin injuries that begin through friction are caused when the tack rubs and chafes the area of skin that touches the tack. Unless attention is given to provide better padding or to properly fit the horse with equipment that matches its body, the injured area will progress to sores that become infected and cause the animal pain. Clients should be advised to watch for signs that indicate:

• Saddle sores, which are caused by using a saddle that is poorly fit or improperly padded. You can identify this type of skin injury, because the area under the saddle will be rubbed or chafed.
• Galls, which are painful, swollen pockets of serum that develop either directly under the skin or further down into connective fascia. They are most commonly found on the withers.

Treatment

When early friction- and pressure-type injuries are spotted, clients can initiate the following treatment steps at home:

• Apply ice packs several times a day for a couple of days to reduce swelling and pain
• Once the area is clean, apply salve to heal the broken skin and protect it from dirt and bugs
• If necessary, protect the area with a dressing.

  Deeper wounds will require veterinary attention, but clients can initiate these steps to clean the area:

• Clip the hair around the wound
• Clean the area with Betadine
• Apply an antibiotic ointment
• Cover with a dressing
• Let the animal rest.

Galls take longer to heal, depending on the area and depth of the injury. Veterinary advice often involves letting the horse rest. If the animal must be used, the site should be protected with extra padding that has the area over the gall cut out to relieve any pressure.

A horse can’t work to its best ability if it is in pain. When tack doesn’t fit properly, and the animal suffers injuries, its health is compromised. Further, if the horse reacts from the pain of the injury, the rider’s safety could also be at risk. Clients need to know to remain alert for any signs that indicate a change may need to be made to their equipment.

Resources for Your Equine Clients

Providing helpful information to clients is a sure-fire way keep them coming back.

Below are additional articles your clients may appreciate:

Exercise, Fatigue and Exhausted Horse Syndrome

Veterinarian Tips to Clear a Horse Barn of Flies

Equine West Nile Virus Threat Remains

Your Covetrus representative can provide other tips and suggestions of value to you and your clients! Contact us at: 855.724.3461 or online.

Sources:
https://www.tacktrunks.net/whitepapers/protecting-your-horse-9-reasons-for-tack-fitting-and-safety.html

Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook, 3rd ed., by T. Gore, P. Gore, J.M. Giffin