Kremer Equine & Canine Therapy

Have you ever felt confused by saddle seat size?
It might be because 17.5” ≠ 17.5”

Let me explain: Just because two saddles are both stamped 17.5” does not mean they offer the same space for the rider. Not even close.

This is one of the most common misconceptions we see when riders are saddle shopping. You rode in a 17.5”? Great. But assuming you’ll need a 17.5” in every other saddle you try is like assuming every “medium” shirt will fit the same, regardless of brand, cut, or stretch. Spoiler, it won’t.

Yes, both saddles might technically measure 17.5” from the seat nail to the middle of the cantle (the standard method). But what that number doesn’t tell you is how much actual usable space exists for you, the rider. Pommel shape, cantle height, seat curve, foaming, twist, seat width, all of these influence how much room your body really has to move.

This is why you could be riding in something that technically “measures” right but feels completely wrong. So no, not all 17.5” saddles are created equal. Not by brand, not by model, and definitely not across disciplines.

The next time you try a new saddle, remember, the number stamped under the flap means very little and real rider fit takes more than a tape measure.

Let the fun begin. Start of in-barn assignments for CEE through Saddlefit4Life.

Equine asthma is a breathing problem caused by inflammation in the airways. It can range from mild to severe, but across all forms, one thing matters most: reducing dust and irritants in the horse's environment.

What many owners think of as "dust" is more than just visible dirt. It can include bacteria, mold and fungal spores, mites, endotoxins, and other tiny particles that trigger inflammation in the lungs. Some of the worst particles are actually too small to see.

The key is the horse's breathing zone - the air right around the nose. Dust in that area matters much more than dust elsewhere in the barn. Even a stable that looks clean can still have harmful tiny particles in the air.

Common dust and irritant sources can include:
• Hay
• Bedding
• Sweeping or mucking stalls
• Barn blowers
• Round bale feeding
• Very dry, windy conditions
• Pollens or other allergens
• Unusual triggers like nearby manure piles, chemical sprays, chickens, or certain bedding materials

Management often focuses on lowering dust exposure:
• Reconsidering hay and bedding
• Using wood shavings
• Feeding a pelleted diet or hay cubes
• Soaking hay
• Steaming hay correctly
• Considering haylage
• Avoiding round bale feeding in horses prone to severe asthma

Note that medication may help control inflammation or open the airways, but there is no replacement to environmental management. Long-term improvement depends on reducing dust in the horse's environment, especially in the breathing zone.

If you have questions or concerns about your specific equine, contact your veterinarian.

Soo funny

TikTok · Schleese & Saddlefit 27 likes, 3 comments. “If saddles fit the way excuses make it sound like they do… 🤨 Saddle fit is a nonnegotiable component of welfare for ridden horses. Just like us, no two horses are built exactly the same, so we can’t expect one saddle to work for every horse, or even for the same horse...