Satteldruck beim Pferd Titelbild

Saddle Sore in Horses

Alt. Names: Saddle Galls, Saddle Sores, Saddle Rash, Saddle Injuries

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.

Definition of Saddle Sore in Horses

Saddle sores in horses are painful, inflamed areas on the skin resulting from friction, pressure, or an ill-fitting saddle.
These sores commonly develop under the saddle, particularly on the withers, back, and girth area, where the saddle or tack rubs against the skin. A horse with saddle sores may exhibit signs of discomfort or reluctance to be saddled and ridden.

Symptoms of Saddle Sore in Horses

  • Skin Lesions
  • Reddened Skin
  • Oozing Skin
  • Crusted Skin
  • Sore Back
  • Swollen
  • Hot
  • Dry Spots
  • Irritability
  • Fur Loss
  • Reduced Performance

Treatment of Saddle Sore in Horses

Topical Creams can soothe irritated and inflamed skin. In severe cases, a veterinarian might prescribe pain relievers.

A horse with saddle sores should not be ridden until is fully healed.

Prevention of Saddle Sore in Horses

Have a saddlemaker visit you twice a year to fit the saddle to your horse’s current body.
If your horse has fast and drastic body changes, more regular visits are recommended.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Happie Horse App digitale Gesundheitsakte

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Google Play
App Store

Related articles

Alopecia in horses is a condition characterized by hair loss, which can result from various causes such as parasitic infections, nutritional deficiencies, or autoimmune disorders.
Skin and Coat

Alopecia in Horses

Alopecia in Horses Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Alopecia in horses refers to the partial or complete

Rain Rot, also known as Dermatophilosis or Rain Scald is a bacterial skin infection, usually caused by wet and muddy enviroments.
Skin and Coat

Rain Rot in Horses

Rain Rot Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. Rain Rot, also known as Dermatophilosis or Rain Scald is a

Fistulous withers in horses is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the withers, often resulting in abscesses and draining tracts.
Bone / Joint Disease

Fistulous Withers

Fistulous Withers Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Fistulous withers is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by