Saddle center of gravity too far back? Causes & solutions for a balanced seat

Is your saddle's center of gravity too far back? Are your legs too far forward, or are you leaning backward? We explain the most common causes—and what you can do about it.

1. Anatomy of the horse: sloping topline & Co.

A sloping back line comes through
- an inclined basin,
- a long lumbar area or
- a strongly pronounced withers

and does not provide a flat support surface for the saddle. The result: The saddle slides backward, shifting the center of gravity unfavorably. Muscle tension or pain in the lumbar region, overly long knee ligaments, a stomach ulcer, or gynecological problems can also cause the saddle to slide backward. 

2. Too little cushion volume at the back

A common reason for the saddle to tip backward is a lack of volume in the rear panel area. Especially for horses with sloping backs, the saddle needs more support there.
➡️ Tip: Padding can help – but only if the leather offers enough room. Otherwise, the cushion will become hard without gaining any height.

3. Incorrect panel angle or flat saddle tree

If the saddle tree is too flat at the back, the filling can move sideways under the rider's weight - the saddle sinks at the back and loses balance.

4. Too narrow waist of the saddle tree

If the saddle tree is too narrow, the saddle doesn't sit flat but "clamps" next to the spine. This keeps it on top and doesn't sink into the horse's center of gravity, shifting its center of gravity backward.

5. Rear straps incorrectly positioned

A strap placed too far back can pull the saddle backwards and down and fix it there – an additional lever in the wrong direction.

6. Gullet set too steep

A gullet plate that's too tight or too steep lifts the front of the saddle, shifting the center of gravity backward. This can also increase tipping.

7. Model-related center of gravity

Some saddle models are rear-heavy by design. This is often a no-go for horses with a sloping backline.
➡️ If you constantly have to add padding to the back even though the saddle is correctly adjusted, the model may not fit at all.

8. Seat or knee roll does not fit the rider

It's not just the horse that plays a role: a seat that's too long or flat, or large knee rolls, can push the rider backwards - and thus exacerbate the problem.

✅ Solutions – what you can do

For anatomical causes:

- Involve a veterinarian or osteopath
- Adapt training: targeted muscle building & mobilization
- Reduce riding workload if necessary to allow the back to regenerate

For saddle problems:

- Consult a saddler:
  - Gullet adjustable?
  - Are there more voluminous pillows from the manufacturer?
  - Does the cut fit the horse's back?
  - Does another model make more sense?

💡 Which saddle models offer a lot of support at the rear?

Manufacturer	Model / Note
Passier	Lifter cushion
Prestigious	+2 pillows
Erreplus	+2 pillows
Summer	Protection²
Albion	Pillow wedge in inches
Amerigo	6-piece pillow
Team	+1 models

These are just a few examples. Depending on the manufacturer, the information may be visible on the saddle itself, on the invoice, or only to a trained eye.
➡️ Always have the saddle checked individually – no saddle fits every horse.

Conclusion:

A rearward shift in the center of gravity can have many causes – from the horse's conformation to incorrect saddle fitting to rider anatomy. A thorough analysis by an experienced saddler is the most important step on the path to a balanced and horse-friendly saddle.