In every function of a horse’s life the question of condition presents itself. It influences lameness and sore backs; it is the basis of staying power and resistance to disease.

It may be said that there is no part of the saddle which is not capable of producing an injury, though it is certain that some parts produce it more frequently than others.

Wither injuries
The withers are the most frequent seat of injury at the present day, and there are several causes in operation to account for this.

An injury to the withers may be on top or on the sides; the class of wither most commonly affected is the high lean one or the short thick.

Wither injuries are caused by the following:-

 1. The numnah resting on the spine either through the strap not being buckled or through it having broken.
 
 2. The front arch of the saddle being narrowed and filled up by too many folds of the blanket, aggravated, perhaps, by a saddle to narrow in the arch. This is especially evident in a horse with thick withers.
 
 3. Loss of back muscle, by which the entire saddle is brought nearer to the bony framework. This is especially evident in a horse with high withers.