There are three elements to saddle fitting: horse, rider and saddle.
The saddle will always be the compromise. It’s sandwiched between two moving bodies, neither of which is ever perfectly symmetrical or stable. There will always be “pressure” and “pressure points” from the saddle onto your horse’s back. This is the result of your weight, and the saddle’s fit. The saddle’s job is to disperse your weight as evenly as possible over the largest surface area. If your saddle does not fit, has panels that are hard and lumpy, is over round, has a channel too narrow or a gullet to tight, or is unbalanced, it could be causing numerous behavioural and movement issues for your horse or great difficulty with your position.
When I’m working on your saddle, I truly have you and your horse’s best interest in mind. It’s my job to help guide you into making the right choice for your horse with regards to its saddle fit. Ideally, your trainer will be involved in the fitting if you are purchasing a new saddle, as they know you better than I do.
I will look at every scenario to making your saddle work better. Saddle design has come a long way over the years. Today’s saddles take into account every kind of horse out there, from pleasure horse to top-level performance horses and everything in between. This is why there are so many brands and styles of saddle today.
Your 30-year-old saddle may not be doing you or your horse any favours.
Saddle fitting is a constantly evolving art and science. I regularly travel to the UK, Europe, Eastern Canada and the US to work with other experts, including saddlers, saddle fitters, saddle-makers, vets, horse body workers, horse trainers, and any other relevant horse experts that I can learn from. I regularly attend conferences on horse science subjects to keep up to date on all things horse – because I never know what I’ll find at a saddle fitting. I’ve also taken many courses on horse massage, facia manipulation, and body work to be able to identify and understand what I see and feel on the horses I am working with.