Saddle Fitting Requirements
I have been in a lot of situations to Saddle fit and am sometimes amazed at how little people know about how to prepare to have a Saddle Fitter come out to have the best possible out come in finding a new Saddle for their Horse
Think about creating the conditions to be successful not to fail
Examination
A Saddle Fitter will want to see your Horse on a flat hard surface where the horse can be stood up and run up in hand at this stage the history of the Horse is
discussed and any old problems and preferences are aired and the Horse will have its back, Saddle, girth and chest area checked to make sure it is comfortable enough to be fitted
Static Fit
Then saddles will be tried on in a safe area with the Horse tied up or held until several Saddles are found that fit well enough to move forward into the Riding phase of the Saddle fitting process
RidingTest
All the saddles picked out as looking good and in proportion and in the style that fit the criteria of the fit will then each in turn be prepared and ridden on
For the Riding test you will need a ridable safe area and a good surface this may mean pre-booking the use of a school . Saddle fitting can take a long time and the saddle fitter is likely to want the horse owner to ride in a number of short-listed saddles, an essentially important part of the fitting procedure. It is better to overbook than to find time is running out. Make certain the arena is ready on time and in good workable condition.
Dressage Saddles
if you want a dressage saddle especially for a horse that is performing at the higher levels then a good sizeable arena is essential to be able to do a good medium trot and medium canter to make sure the rider has the right saddle to be comfortable and secure. Although the horse is the most important the rider comes a close second it is vital the the rider can sit well in the saddle they choose
Jumping Saddles
If you are considering purchasing a saddle for jumping, it is essential to ride over a few fences. Make certain that these are erected before the arrival of the saddle fitter: No saddle fitter wants to put up jumps for you their job is to concentrate on the fit and suitability not be lugging poles around an arena .
The Rider
I am always astonished when occasionally I have been asked if the rider needs to be there Yes it does It is essential that the saddle fits both Horse and Rider conformation and that the rider is able to choose what is the most comfortable saddle for them as well as the horse
The rider must be safely dressed with correct riding clothing and boots and a hat Although all Saddle fitters should be insured for horse handling and rider safety no one wants an accident during a fit that results in an injury
Numnahs Saddle Squares and Gel Pads
Although in theory the saddle should fit so well that only a thin Saddle Square or Numnah should be required it is probably unrealistic to think that this is going to be the case. With Dressage riders performing a lot of Sitting trot and canter and some of the jump saddles having a very low profile. But at the fitting stage suitable padding for the particular horse and saddle must be discussed and agreed upon and then adhered to by the purchaser. Putting additional padding under a saddle that is not required or has not been factored into the fit will be detrimental to the fit of the saddle
Your Own stirrup leathers Girth and saddle Square
Using your own equipment that you arnd your horse are used to is generally more comfortable if at all possible
The Horse
please make sure the horse or pony is ready, clean and well behaved perhaps turnout or lunge well before the saddle fitter arrives so that it is calm and easy to handle I am never thrilled if a horse that I have driven miles to see is actually still in the field or is covered in poo !
Think about creating the conditions to be successful not to fail
Examination
A Saddle Fitter will want to see your Horse on a flat hard surface where the horse can be stood up and run up in hand at this stage the history of the Horse is
discussed and any old problems and preferences are aired and the Horse will have its back, Saddle, girth and chest area checked to make sure it is comfortable enough to be fitted
Static Fit
Then saddles will be tried on in a safe area with the Horse tied up or held until several Saddles are found that fit well enough to move forward into the Riding phase of the Saddle fitting process
RidingTest
All the saddles picked out as looking good and in proportion and in the style that fit the criteria of the fit will then each in turn be prepared and ridden on
For the Riding test you will need a ridable safe area and a good surface this may mean pre-booking the use of a school . Saddle fitting can take a long time and the saddle fitter is likely to want the horse owner to ride in a number of short-listed saddles, an essentially important part of the fitting procedure. It is better to overbook than to find time is running out. Make certain the arena is ready on time and in good workable condition.
Dressage Saddles
if you want a dressage saddle especially for a horse that is performing at the higher levels then a good sizeable arena is essential to be able to do a good medium trot and medium canter to make sure the rider has the right saddle to be comfortable and secure. Although the horse is the most important the rider comes a close second it is vital the the rider can sit well in the saddle they choose
Jumping Saddles
If you are considering purchasing a saddle for jumping, it is essential to ride over a few fences. Make certain that these are erected before the arrival of the saddle fitter: No saddle fitter wants to put up jumps for you their job is to concentrate on the fit and suitability not be lugging poles around an arena .
The Rider
I am always astonished when occasionally I have been asked if the rider needs to be there Yes it does It is essential that the saddle fits both Horse and Rider conformation and that the rider is able to choose what is the most comfortable saddle for them as well as the horse
The rider must be safely dressed with correct riding clothing and boots and a hat Although all Saddle fitters should be insured for horse handling and rider safety no one wants an accident during a fit that results in an injury
Numnahs Saddle Squares and Gel Pads
Although in theory the saddle should fit so well that only a thin Saddle Square or Numnah should be required it is probably unrealistic to think that this is going to be the case. With Dressage riders performing a lot of Sitting trot and canter and some of the jump saddles having a very low profile. But at the fitting stage suitable padding for the particular horse and saddle must be discussed and agreed upon and then adhered to by the purchaser. Putting additional padding under a saddle that is not required or has not been factored into the fit will be detrimental to the fit of the saddle
Your Own stirrup leathers Girth and saddle Square
Using your own equipment that you arnd your horse are used to is generally more comfortable if at all possible
The Horse
please make sure the horse or pony is ready, clean and well behaved perhaps turnout or lunge well before the saddle fitter arrives so that it is calm and easy to handle I am never thrilled if a horse that I have driven miles to see is actually still in the field or is covered in poo !
