26/06/2025
When something feels off, we often call in a trusted professional, be it a saddle fitter, farrier, vet, or bodyworker, with the hope that their intervention will solve whatever issue our horse is facing.
We want answers. We want solutions. And we want our horses to feel better, fast.
But hereโs what we must all come to understand: no one practitioner can fix everything, because horses donโt work that way.
The equine body is a beautifully complex, interconnected system. And real, lasting wellness requires a holistic, team-based approach.
Corrective trimming, a new saddle, joint injections, massage therapy, each of these might bring improvement, but none of them work in isolation.
Change in one area affects the whole system. A horse who receives a different trim, for example, may also need bodywork to rebalance tension patterns, time off to adjust to postural changes, and guidance through exercises that help them move in alignment again.
Every adjustment has a ripple effect. There is no such thing as a โmagic bullet.โ
As someone who teaches saddle fit, I want to be very clear: fixing the saddle wonโt fix everything. Itโs just one, important piece of the puzzle.
Yes, we talk a lot about behavioural signs that could point to saddle-related discomfort: tail swishing, bucking, stiffness, girthiness, refusal to move forward, and more. But the key word here is โcould.โ
These behaviours are red flags, not diagnoses. They are signals that something might be wrong, and itโs our job to investigate with curiosity, not assumptions.
Saddle fit matters. A lot. But itโs not the whole story. And it never will be.
To support your horseโs long-term well-being, you need a circle of trust, a group of professionals who communicate, share values, and prioritize the horseโs best interest above all.
At a minimum, this team might include:
๐A vet who isnโt trigger-happy with injections or invasive procedures, and who takes time to explore root causes.
๐A farrier who invites your questions and explains their decisions.
๐ At least one or two bodyworkers, ideally including a gentle modality like Masterson Method, to support physical release and healing.
๐A saddle fitter who understands the biomechanics of horse and rider, and respects the bigger picture of equine wellness.
๐And perhaps most critically, you, the owner, as a committed and informed advocate for your horse.
Each of these individuals should be continuously learning, questioning, and evolving with their field. A professional whoโs โset in their waysโ may unintentionally limit your horseโs options and progress.
Real healing takes time, patience, and collaboration. There are no shortcuts.
That can feel frustrating in the moment, but itโs also empowering. Because when you build a strong, aligned team, youโre laying the foundation for long-term health and soundness.
So the next time you're tempted to pin all your hopes on one appointment, one product, or one modality, remember: It takes a village.
So, who is in your horse's village? Let us know in the comments below!
