Saddle Fit and the Heavier Rider

it will be if the saddle bridges. There needs to be accommodation for some ability of the saddle to rock with bananashaped stuffed panels to compensate for the extra weight of the rider. If the panels are too straight the weight of the rider and saddle will dig into the horses loins or shoulder.
Saddle fit should be checked regularly regardless of whether you are a heavier rider because the horses conformation will change over time. However the heavier the rider the more often the saddle will need to be refitted to accommodate the constant change in the shape of the horses back. This is in large part due to the fact that with a heavier rider the saddle padding will compress faster and once the balance is compromised the rider will start to clench losing the softness of the seat and sitting harder and heavier into the horses back.
Lets remember that horses were not meant to be ridden we have forced this on them and the unnatural weight this activity places on the horses back will cause the horses conformation to change. Proper saddle fit is critical to maintaining the horses back health and the best way to ensure proper fit is to understand that saddles will need to be fitted on a regular basis.