Beyond Girthiness: Is Your Horse Trying to Tell You Something During Tacking Up?
We’ve all seen it, or perhaps even experienced it: the horse that pins its ears, swishes its tail irritably, and turns to nip as the girth is tightened. This behavior, often labeled ‘girthiness’ or being ‘cinchy,’ is an unmistakable signal of discomfort.
But what about the quieter conversations? The horse that simply steps away as you approach with the saddle, the one that tenses its back, grinds its teeth, or tosses its head? These subtle actions are often dismissed as impatience, a bad mood, or a ‘quirk.’
However, recent research suggests we should be paying much closer attention. A 2020 study by Dr. Sue Dyson revealed that a staggering 87.7% of horses displayed behaviors indicating discomfort during the tacking-up process. Most of these reactions weren’t dramatic; they were subtle, quiet requests for us to listen more closely.
These small moments are not random acts of naughtiness. They are a sophisticated language of avoidance, and learning to interpret them is the first step toward building a truly harmonious partnership with your horse.
The Silent Language of Discomfort
Horses, as prey animals, have a natural instinct to mask pain. A wild horse showing weakness becomes a target, and this instinct remains even in our domesticated partners. The loud, obvious signs of distress like kicking or biting are often a last resort—the equivalent of a human shouting after being ignored.
The real conversation happens much earlier, in whispers. These subtle avoidance behaviors are your horse’s first, most polite attempts to say, ‘Something isn’t right.’ By recognizing them, you move from simply managing behavior to truly understanding what your horse is experiencing.
A Checklist of Subtle Signs to Watch For
The next time you tack up, try to see the process through your horse’s eyes. Slow down, take a breath, and observe. Here are some of the key, often-missed signals to watch for.
Facial Expressions: The Window to Their Well-Being
A horse’s face is incredibly expressive—a reliable indicator of pain or discomfort. Look for:
- Tension in the Muzzle and Jaw: A tight, wrinkled chin or a clamped jaw is a common sign of stress.
- Ears Turned Back or Pinned: While not always negative, ears held stiffly back for a prolonged period during saddling often indicate anxiety or irritation.
- A ‘Worried’ Eye: You might notice the whites of the eyes showing, a furrowed brow, or a distant, staring expression. This ‘glazed over’ look can be a sign of the horse mentally checking out to cope with discomfort.
Body Language: A Story in Movement
Your horse’s posture and movements tell a detailed story before you even touch the saddle.
- Stepping Away or Sideways: Is your horse actively moving away from the saddle or shifting its weight to evade it? This is a clear avoidance tactic.
- Freezing or Tensing Up: The horse that stands like a statue, holding its breath with a rigid back, is not relaxed. It’s bracing for an uncomfortable experience.
- Head Tossing or Raising: A sudden upward toss of the head as the saddle is placed on the back can be a reaction to anticipated pressure or pain.
- Tail Swishing: A continuously swishing or clamped tail is a common sign of tension and annoyance.
Oral Behaviors: More Than Just a Habit
What your horse does with its mouth can be a direct line to its state of mind.
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): This is a well-documented stress signal in horses, similar to a human clenching their jaw.
- Excessive Licking and Chewing: While often seen as a sign of relaxation, in the context of tacking up, frantic or repetitive licking and chewing can be a sign of anxiety.
Why a ‘Good’ Saddle Can Still Cause Problems
Perhaps the most confusing part of this puzzle is when these behaviors appear even with a saddle that seems to fit perfectly on the cross-ties.
A saddle’s fit isn’t just about how it sits on a stationary horse; it’s about how it performs when the horse is in motion. Research shows that a saddle that appears balanced can create significant high-pressure zones once the horse starts moving its back, shoulders, and rib cage.
Your horse remembers.
They don’t just react to discomfort in the moment; they react to the memory of it from the last ride. The subtle tensing or head toss you see isn’t about the saddle pad touching their back—it’s about their anticipation of the uneven pressure points that they know are coming once you’re in the saddle and moving. This anticipation is the critical message.
How to Become a Better Listener: Practical Steps
Recognizing these signs is not about finding fault; it’s about opening a new line of communication. Here’s how you can start listening more effectively:
- Conduct a Tacking-Up Audit: For one week, do nothing but observe. Approach the process without judgment and simply notice what happens. Does your horse sigh, tense up, or pin its ears? Write it down.
- Use Your Phone: Record a video of yourself tacking up. Watching it back can reveal subtle interactions and reactions you missed in the moment.
- Slow Down: Rushing through the process can amplify your horse’s anxiety. Take your time. Place the saddle pad gently, then the saddle. Pause between each step and observe your horse’s reaction.
- Consider the Whole Picture: True comfort is an ecosystem. A well-fitting saddle is the foundation, but comfort is also influenced by the saddle pad, the girth, and even the rider’s balance and position. Each element contributes to your horse’s overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tacking Up Behaviors
Is my horse just being ‘naughty’ or ‘disrespectful’?
This is one of the most common assumptions, but it’s rarely the case. Behavior is communication. Before labeling an action as ‘naughty,’ ask what your horse might be trying to tell you. Discomfort, not disrespect, is almost always the root cause of these avoidance signals.
Can a different saddle pad solve the problem?
While a high-quality pad is important, it’s a bandage, not a cure. A thick pad on an ill-fitting saddle can actually make pressure points worse, like wearing thick socks in shoes that are already too tight. The goal should be to fix the source of the pressure, not just mask it.
How do I know if it’s the saddle or something else?
This requires a process of elimination. Start with the most likely culprits. Have a qualified professional evaluate your saddle’s fit, both when your horse is standing still and in motion. It’s also crucial to consult your veterinarian to rule out other sources of pain, such as gastric ulcers or back soreness.
My horse seems fine once I’m riding. Does the tacking-up behavior still matter?
Absolutely. The behavior during tacking up is your earliest warning sign. Many horses are stoic and will work through discomfort once under saddle, but that doesn’t mean the problem has disappeared. Addressing these early signals can prevent minor issues from escalating into chronic pain, soundness problems, or more significant behavioral challenges.
Your Next Step Towards a Happier Partnership
Tacking up shouldn’t be a procedure your horse endures; it should be a peaceful, cooperative start to your ride. By learning to recognize the quiet language of avoidance, you transform from being just a rider into a true partner—one who listens, understands, and prioritizes comfort.
Your horse is talking to you every single day. The question is, are you ready to listen?
