The horse string test procedure is a straightforward method used by horse owners, farriers, and saddle fitters to look at the shape of a horse’s back. Can you do a string test yourself? Yes, anyone can learn this simple technique with basic tools. This test helps you see if a saddle fits well or if there are dips or bumps along the horse’s spine.
This guide will break down exactly what the string test is, why it matters, and how to use a string to measure a horse for this purpose. We will look at the needed gear and how to make sense of what the string shows you.
What is the String Test and Why Use It?
The string test is a quick way to map the contours of a horse’s backline. It uses a simple length of string or twine laid over the horse’s back. This acts like a ruler that shows the highs and lows.
Core Reasons for Conducting the String Test
The string test is very useful for a few key things in horse care.
- Saddle Fitting: This is the main reason people use it. A well-fitting saddle needs to sit evenly. The string test helps spot areas where the saddle might bridge or pinch. This directly relates to string test for saddle fitting.
- Assessing Muscle Development: Changes in the back muscles over time will change the shape. The string test helps track this.
- Identifying Conformation Issues: It is a part of string test in equine conformation analysis. It shows the natural shape of the horse’s structure.
- Checking for Support: It shows if the horse has even support under the saddle area, which is key for string test for saddle support.
The Science Behind the String Test
When you lay a string over a horse’s back, gravity pulls the string straight down. The string will follow the path of least resistance. If the back is flat and even, the string lies flat. If there are dips (like swayback) or humps, the string will curve over them. This visual cue is what we are looking for when string test to check horse back.
Getting Ready: Equine String Testing Equipment
You do not need fancy gadgets for this test. The equine string testing equipment is simple and cheap. Good preparation makes the test accurate.
Necessary Tools
Here is a list of what you should gather before starting.
- The String: Use a piece of strong, non-stretchy string or twine. Nylon twine or thin rope works well. The length needs to be long enough to go from the point of the shoulder, over the highest point of the wither, down the back, and over the croup/tail head area. A length of 6 to 8 feet is usually enough for most horses.
- Weights (Optional but Helpful): Small, gentle weights help keep the string taut and straight. Metal washers or binder clips work well. These are important for string test measuring horse back accurately.
- A Helper (Recommended): A friend can hold the string ends steady, making your job easier.
- Measurement Tools: A tape measure helps quantify any dips or rises you see.
- A Marker: Chalk or a washable marker can mark the string if you need to repeat the test later.
Preparing the Horse
The horse must stand still and naturally for an accurate test.
- Stable Surface: Have the horse stand squarely on flat, level ground. Slopes will warp the results.
- Weight Distribution: The horse should be relaxed and bearing weight evenly on all four feet.
- Tack Removal: The horse must be bare-backed. Any saddle pad or blanket will change the shape you are trying to measure.
The Step-by-Step Horse String Test Procedure
Follow these steps closely for a reliable result. This is the core horse string test procedure.
Step 1: Positioning the String Start Point
You need a consistent starting point.
- Ask your helper to hold one end of the string.
- Place the starting point just behind the point of the shoulder (the bulge where the front leg joins the body). This area is usually solid muscle and bone.
- The string should lie directly over the horse’s back muscles, not dipping down into the furrow alongside the spine.
Step 2: Laying the String Over the Wither
The wither is often the highest point.
- Carefully drape the string over the top of the wither.
- Ensure the string settles gently over the crest of the wither. Do not force it down into the sensitive hollows on either side.
Step 3: Running the String Along the Back
This is where you map the middle section.
- Run the string smoothly back along the spine area. Keep the string centered.
- Avoid letting the string drop into the central groove (the dorsal spinous processes). It should rest on the longissimus dorsi muscles on either side of the spine.
- If you are using weights, gently clip one to the string near the middle of the back. This helps maintain a straight line under gravity.
Step 4: Reaching the Back End
The string needs to continue past the saddle area.
- Continue the string past the last rib and over the loin area (the short, strong part connecting the back to the hindquarters).
- The string should ideally end around where the saddle’s back edge would sit, or continue further to the croup area if you are doing a full conformation check.
Step 5: Securing the End and Checking Tension
This step ensures the string is taut but not stretched.
- Have your helper hold the second end of the string firmly.
- The string should be taut enough that it makes clear contact with the high points of the back but loose enough that it is not artificially pulled down into slight dips. This balance is key to how to use a string to measure a horse.
Interpreting Horse String Test Results
Once the string is set, you must observe how it sits. Interpreting horse string test results is about seeing patterns.
What a Good String Test Looks Like
In an ideal scenario, the string should lie relatively straight along the back.
- Flat Profile: The line from the wither to the loin area shows only a gentle, slight slope downward toward the hindquarters.
- No Major Gaps: There should be no significant gaps between the string and the horse’s back muscles.
Recognizing Common Issues
Several patterns indicate problems that might require attention from a vet, chiropractor, or saddle fitter.
1. Bridging
Bridging happens when the string touches the wither and the loin, but there is a visible gap in the middle of the back.
- Cause: This often means the horse has lost muscle mass over the short ribs or has a naturally hollow back (swayback). It can also be caused by a saddle that is too narrow or has too much curve.
- Implication: The saddle will only press down on the front and back ends, creating high pressure points in those areas. This relates closely to string test for saddle support issues.
2. Dipping or Swayback
If the string dips significantly lower than the wither height, the horse may have a swayback.
- Cause: This can be due to age, poor core strength, previous injury, or conformation.
- Implication: Saddles must be heavily padded or custom-made to fill this void, preventing the rider’s weight from sinking too low directly onto the spine.
3. High Wither Contact
If the string rests heavily on the wither but pulls away sharply further back.
- Cause: The wither is too high relative to the rest of the back structure, or the horse is extremely tense or poorly muscled right behind the shoulder.
- Implication: A saddle might pinch the wither, leading to sores or restricting shoulder movement.
4. Asymmetry
If you repeat the test on both sides, or if the string seems to tilt significantly to one side.
- Cause: This points to muscle imbalance. The horse might favor one leg, have uneven hoof balance (checked using string test tools for farriers), or have underlying skeletal asymmetry.
- Implication: The horse will consistently carry the saddle crookedly.
Using the String Test for Specific Applications
The utility of the string test goes beyond general observation. It is a vital tool in specialized equine disciplines.
String Test for Saddle Fitting
When performing a string test for saddle fitting, you are essentially checking the potential fit before placing the saddle on. If you see severe bridging or dipping, you know a standard, flat saddle tree is unlikely to work without modification or specialized pads.
Table 1: Relating String Test Findings to Saddle Needs
| String Test Observation | Potential Back Shape Issue | Saddle Adjustment Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Gap in the middle | Bridging | Tree must be wider or have a wider channel; use specialized shims. |
| Severe dip over loin | Swayback | Significant padding/support needed under the middle section. |
| String tilts left/right | Asymmetry | Address muscle imbalance; use half pads to level the saddle. |
| String lies flat | Ideal/Well-muscled | Most standard saddles should work well. |
String Test Measuring Horse Back for Farriers
Farriers can use the string test as part of their overall assessment, especially when looking at how weight is distributed. While they rely more on hoof balance, the way the back carries weight impacts how the legs are loaded. This falls under string test tools for farriers. If a horse shows severe asymmetry in the string test, the farrier might investigate hoof angles more closely.
String Test in Equine Conformation Analysis
In string test in equine conformation analysis, the string helps confirm visual assessment. A straight string on a horse with well-laid-back shoulders and a strong loin confirms good structural harmony. If the string shows lumps or dips where the back should flow smoothly, it highlights a potential weakness in the horse’s build that might limit performance or soundness.
Advanced Techniques and Avoiding Common Errors
While simple, precision requires attention to detail.
Ensuring Consistent Tension
The biggest pitfall is inconsistent tension. If you pull too hard on the string, you artificially flatten curves. If it is too loose, gravity creates dips where none truly exist.
Tips for Consistent Tension:
- Use light, steady weights rather than relying only on hand tension.
- Have the helper hold their hands steady at the same height on both sides.
- Conduct the test in a draft-free, calm environment.
Quantifying the Measurements
To move from observation to documentation, you need to measure the gaps. This is part of string test measuring horse back.
- Mark where the string touches the horse’s back at the wither and the loin.
- Gently lift the string away from the back at the point of the dip or hump.
- Use a ruler or tape measure held vertically to measure the distance between the string and the horse’s back.
- Record these measurements (e.g., “3/4 inch gap at T14”).
Repetition for Reliability
Always repeat the test at least twice. If the results match, you can trust the reading. If they differ significantly, re-check your string placement and tension.
Deciphering String Test Implications for Horse Health
The string test is not a diagnostic tool, but it is a crucial screening tool. What the string reveals often leads to the next steps.
Muscle Development and Training
A hollow or dipping back can indicate a lack of engagement of the abdominal and back muscles, often due to poor training or discomfort. Consistent, correct work should lead to better muscle definition over time, which the string test can document as an improvement (the string will appear flatter on subsequent tests).
Pain Indicators
A horse that resists having the string laid on its back or tries to move away while you are setting the string might be guarding that area due to soreness. This is an immediate sign to call a professional, such as a veterinarian or equine bodyworker, before attempting to ride or fit a saddle.
Conclusion: A Valuable, Simple Check
The horse string test procedure remains one of the most accessible and useful tools available to horse keepers. It requires minimal investment but provides immediate, visual feedback on the underlying structure of the horse’s back. By learning how to use a string to measure a horse correctly, you take a proactive step in ensuring comfort, good performance, and sound management, whether you are preparing for a new saddle or just checking on your horse’s condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I perform the string test if the horse has a blanket on?
No. You must perform the string test on a bare back. Any blanket or pad will change the contour of the surface you are trying to measure, leading to false readings about the horse’s body shape.
Q2: Where exactly should the string sit on the horse’s back?
The string should rest on top of the large back muscles (the longissimus dorsi) on either side of the central spine groove. It should not sit directly in the groove, as this is not representative of the load-bearing surface for a saddle.
Q3: How often should I perform a string test?
It is recommended to perform the string test whenever you introduce a new saddle or saddle pad. For a regularly ridden horse, check every 2 to 3 months, especially if the horse is growing, gaining or losing weight, or undergoing intensive training.
Q4: Does the string test tell me the exact size of saddle I need?
No. The string test only indicates the shape (flat, hollow, or bridged). It does not give you the width or length required. You still need to measure the wither base and tree length separately, but the string test helps narrow down the type of tree shape needed.
Q5: If the string shows bridging, does that mean my saddle is broken?
Not necessarily. Bridging often means the horse’s back muscles are underdeveloped or atrophied in that area, or that the saddle tree geometry does not match the horse’s natural shape. It signals a mismatch that needs addressing, either through specialized pads or different equipment.