saddle sore

noun

|Updated on: 29 Apr 2018

Definition of saddle sore

1 : a gall or open sore developing on the back of a horse at points of pressure from an ill-fitting or ill-adjusted saddle

2 : an irritation or sore on parts of the rider chafed by the saddle

See saddle sore defined for English-language learners

See saddle sore defined for kids

Recent Examples of saddle sore from the Web

Take saddle sores, which aren’t limited to horse riders.

— christine ro, The Atlantic, "How Cycling Clothing Opened Doors for Women," 15 Apr. 2018
Additionally, having handlebar height lower than seat height increased the odds of genital numbness and saddle sores.

— maureen salamon, chicagotribune.com, "Cycling won't sabotage a man's sex life: Study," 19 Jan. 2018
After breaking his right big toe during practice in late October, Williams spent so much time on a stationary bike the guy probably battled saddle sores.

— don norcross, sandiegouniontribune.com, "USD guard mended after big toe fracture," 22 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'saddle sore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of saddle sore

1873

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SADDLE SORE Defined for English Language Learners

saddle sore

noun

Definition of saddle sore for English Language Learners

: a sore on the back of a horse caused by a saddle that is not fitted correctly
: a sore area on a horse rider's body that is caused by rubbing against the saddle