Manufacturer Approved Saddle Fitters

Saddle fitting, and the business of saddle fitting, can be problematic. Horses do not come in one standard size or shape, and, more importantly, they are not static. Their physical shape can change regularly depending on management, access to food, seasonal changes, workload and ridden exercise.

Changes in body condition do not simply mean that a horse becomes heavier or lighter. Changes in metabolism, muscle development and fat coverage can alter the proportions and shape of the horse's back and topline. A horse that has developed more muscle through appropriate ridden work may present a very different fitting challenge from the same horse at an earlier stage of its training.

The saddle presents an entirely different proposition. It is a manufactured structure, built around a particular saddle tree. The tree establishes much of the fundamental geometry of the saddle, while the panels and their flocking provide the interface between the saddle and the horse.

The relationship between the tree, the panels and the horse's back determines how the saddle sits on the horse's profile. This, in turn, affects how the saddle behaves when it is being used and how forces are distributed through the horse and saddle.

This is where the difficulty of saddle fitting begins.

The saddle fitter is attempting to match a relatively fixed manufactured structure to a living animal whose shape can change, sometimes considerably, over time. It is therefore not simply a question of finding a saddle that appears to be the correct width or size.

The saddle needs to be considered in three dimensions and in relation to the horse's individual conformation. It must provide appropriate clearance and bearing surfaces, sit in a suitable position and remain sufficiently stable when the horse moves. At the same time, it must accommodate the rider's size, balance, position and discipline.

A saddle that appears acceptable when the horse is standing still may behave very differently once the horse is moving and the rider is mounted. The dynamic relationship between horse, saddle and rider is therefore just as important as the static assessment.

This also explains why saddle fitting should not be regarded as a one-time exercise. The horse can change shape as its condition, musculature, workload and management change. A saddle that was appropriate at one point in the horse's development may subsequently require adjustment, may become unsuitable, or may need to be replaced altogether.

There is consequently no simple formula in which a particular horse requires a particular saddle size.

Good saddle fitting is about assessing the relationship between horse, saddle and rider, understanding the limitations of the saddle's construction, and recognising that the horse itself is continually changing.

That is one of the fundamental challenges of saddle fitting — and one of the reasons why professional saddle fitting requires considerably more than simply measuring a horse and selecting a saddle from a size chart.

A thorough saddle fitting begins with a physical assessment of your horse while standing square on a level surface. We look for asymmetry, muscle loss, unusual muscle development and other factors that could affect saddle fit. We also assess your horse's gait and movement in hand.

Because saddles are used in motion, they cannot be fitted accurately while the horse is standing still alone. An assessment under saddle is essential. During ridden work, the horse's back lifts and changes shape, altering how the saddle sits and where it makes contact.

The rider is equally important. We consider the rider's height, leg length and position, along with any physical difficulties that could affect their comfort, balance or the saddle's performance.

A poorly fitted saddle can cause discomfort and may contribute to unwanted behaviours such as bucking, refusing to go forward or moving away during mounting. Riders may also experience back or joint pain when a saddle does not fit them correctly. Ultimately, poor fit can prevent both horse and rider from performing comfortably and confidently.

Effective saddle fitting requires an experienced professional, careful observation and the rider's cooperation. By assessing the horse, rider and saddle together - both standing and in motion - we can work towards the best possible fit for everyone.