Are You Ready To Learn....
The Top Three Reasons You're Still
Struggling to Find the Right Saddle?
The Top Three Reasons You're Still
Struggling to Find the Right Saddle?
Do your wish your search was OVER?
Have you been through multiple saddles, shipped trials, buying then trying to re-sell?
One or more of these factors may be the root cause:
Have you been through multiple saddles, shipped trials, buying then trying to re-sell?
One or more of these factors may be the root cause:
#1 You’re Not Matching the Saddle Tree to Your Horse’s Back Properly
It is something that is not talked about enough and chances are you just didn't realize how crucial knowing how to do this is!
The saddle tree must match the topline, wither profile, and back curvature of your horse to distribute weight evenly.
Consideration must be given to the features attached to the tree such as:
It is something that is not talked about enough and chances are you just didn't realize how crucial knowing how to do this is!
The saddle tree must match the topline, wither profile, and back curvature of your horse to distribute weight evenly.
Consideration must be given to the features attached to the tree such as:
- The billet configuration, (where they hang from, how many, angle, and distance between.)
- The stirrup bar position and type.
- The type of head plate: (adjustable materials, shape and tree point length.)
#2 You’re Overlooking Your Horse’s Current Posture & Musculature
Taking the time and necessary steps to promote a healthy back capable of carrying a rider will pay off. Especially if an ill-fitting saddle has caused some muscle atrophy or compensation patterns. A common mistake is fitting a saddle to how a horse looks today rather than considering how they will develop. If your horse has weak topline muscles, an unengaged core, or asymmetries, their shape will change as they strengthen.
A few considerations:
Thoracic Sling Engagement: A strong, lifted core supports the saddle better.
Postural Improvements: As your horse builds muscle, their back shape may require a different saddle.
Hoof Health: Some of the key factors influencing posture is hoof angles, toe length and general health.
Without planning for these changes, you may find that your new saddle stops fitting within months.
Lets also not leave out the importance of our own posture and ability to balance, with minimal movement so as to not interfere with our horses!
Taking the time and necessary steps to promote a healthy back capable of carrying a rider will pay off. Especially if an ill-fitting saddle has caused some muscle atrophy or compensation patterns. A common mistake is fitting a saddle to how a horse looks today rather than considering how they will develop. If your horse has weak topline muscles, an unengaged core, or asymmetries, their shape will change as they strengthen.
A few considerations:
Thoracic Sling Engagement: A strong, lifted core supports the saddle better.
Postural Improvements: As your horse builds muscle, their back shape may require a different saddle.
Hoof Health: Some of the key factors influencing posture is hoof angles, toe length and general health.
Without planning for these changes, you may find that your new saddle stops fitting within months.
Lets also not leave out the importance of our own posture and ability to balance, with minimal movement so as to not interfere with our horses!
#3 You’re Not Actively Participating in the Saddle Fit Process
If you have relied on trainers, friends, or saddle sales associates to tell you what you need or what to get, you may be doing your horse a disservice if you are still thinking something isn't right, trust your instincts! It could be the well meaning helpers do not see your horse often enough to make these decisions. Also, many riders assume that once they purchase a saddle, or have a saddle fitter out, their job is done. However, saddle fit requires ongoing assessment, and you need to develop an eye for recognizing when changes are needed.
Unless you have a professional saddle fitter assessing your horse at least twice a year, it’s on you to: Learn how to check saddle balance and symmetry. Monitor changes in your horse’s back shape and movement. Understand when an adjustment, reflocking, or a new saddle is necessary. Being actively involved in the process helps ensure that your horse remains comfortable and able to perform at their best.
If you have relied on trainers, friends, or saddle sales associates to tell you what you need or what to get, you may be doing your horse a disservice if you are still thinking something isn't right, trust your instincts! It could be the well meaning helpers do not see your horse often enough to make these decisions. Also, many riders assume that once they purchase a saddle, or have a saddle fitter out, their job is done. However, saddle fit requires ongoing assessment, and you need to develop an eye for recognizing when changes are needed.
Unless you have a professional saddle fitter assessing your horse at least twice a year, it’s on you to: Learn how to check saddle balance and symmetry. Monitor changes in your horse’s back shape and movement. Understand when an adjustment, reflocking, or a new saddle is necessary. Being actively involved in the process helps ensure that your horse remains comfortable and able to perform at their best.
My passion has always been to teach as I work, so if you go through this journey with me, you are going to learn a lot! The points I make above are life lessons, experience and lots of education. I will proudly share my mentors with you so you can learn from them as well. I can give you lots of guidance on these points, but I can also show you which books to read, what clinics are valuable, and especially which mentors have helped me with which aspects of this life long journey.
Are You Approaching Your Saddle Search the Right Way?
Searching for the right new or used saddle can be overwhelming, time consuming, frustrating, and very costly. I'd like to share some insight, my research, and a proven systematic approach.
*Speed up the process, get the saddle you want, and in the end you'll save time and money.*
Using My Remote Fitting Service (10 Years of Proven Results and Methods)
With a thorough saddle fitting analysis, we’ll uncover the hidden details that can make or break a saddle’s fit. I’ll help you understand what to look for—beyond just the brand or model—so you’re equipped to find saddles worth considering for your horse. I will guide you toward options that make sense based on your horse’s shape and your needs.
If you’re planning an online fitting assessment with me, I can help you analyze saddles you already own or those you’re considering. I’ll identify potential adjustments that would be helpful or other concerns.
For horses that are difficult to fit, checking off as many boxes as possible is critical—and I can help you identify those boxes!
We'll utilize a comprehensive list of all (YES, ALL) English (Dressage/Jump/GP - All Purpose) saddle makes and models in my one of kind database.
I have also documented all the tree types and shapes that go with them, how to read all those stamping codes, and my notes from years of working on and fitting hundreds of different saddles.
THIS is what will get you closer to narrowing your search!
I also have a database of consigned saddles, where owners have filled out all the necessary information and uploaded pictures. With this, I can determine if there is a match out there for you! In many cases this eliminate the tiresome scrolling through Facebook or Marketplace ads that never provide the information you really need.
After your saddle fit analysis is complete, and we've determined if we can work with your current saddle or if you need help with your pursuit in finding one, we will use this process to begin narrowing the field.
Used Saddles are as Unique as the Horses They’re Built For--
Even the same brand, model, and size can vary widely due to:
Searching for the right new or used saddle can be overwhelming, time consuming, frustrating, and very costly. I'd like to share some insight, my research, and a proven systematic approach.
*Speed up the process, get the saddle you want, and in the end you'll save time and money.*
Using My Remote Fitting Service (10 Years of Proven Results and Methods)
With a thorough saddle fitting analysis, we’ll uncover the hidden details that can make or break a saddle’s fit. I’ll help you understand what to look for—beyond just the brand or model—so you’re equipped to find saddles worth considering for your horse. I will guide you toward options that make sense based on your horse’s shape and your needs.
If you’re planning an online fitting assessment with me, I can help you analyze saddles you already own or those you’re considering. I’ll identify potential adjustments that would be helpful or other concerns.
For horses that are difficult to fit, checking off as many boxes as possible is critical—and I can help you identify those boxes!
We'll utilize a comprehensive list of all (YES, ALL) English (Dressage/Jump/GP - All Purpose) saddle makes and models in my one of kind database.
I have also documented all the tree types and shapes that go with them, how to read all those stamping codes, and my notes from years of working on and fitting hundreds of different saddles.
THIS is what will get you closer to narrowing your search!
I also have a database of consigned saddles, where owners have filled out all the necessary information and uploaded pictures. With this, I can determine if there is a match out there for you! In many cases this eliminate the tiresome scrolling through Facebook or Marketplace ads that never provide the information you really need.
After your saddle fit analysis is complete, and we've determined if we can work with your current saddle or if you need help with your pursuit in finding one, we will use this process to begin narrowing the field.
Used Saddles are as Unique as the Horses They’re Built For--
Even the same brand, model, and size can vary widely due to:
- Custom features made for a specific horse or rider.
- Manufacturing differences.
- The type of panels used.
- Past adjustments.
My Goal: Empowering You with Tools and Insights
Whether you’re gathering saddles for a fitting session, browsing new or used saddles, or trying to make sense of the options, my goal is to help you approach saddle selection confidently.
With the right knowledge and approach, what feels like a daunting task can become an informed and rewarding experience for both you and your horse. Please contact me to schedule a visit to your farm for a saddle fitting:
Whether you’re gathering saddles for a fitting session, browsing new or used saddles, or trying to make sense of the options, my goal is to help you approach saddle selection confidently.
With the right knowledge and approach, what feels like a daunting task can become an informed and rewarding experience for both you and your horse. Please contact me to schedule a visit to your farm for a saddle fitting:
There are two main processes: The analysis (Virtual Saddle Fitting) and the actions we take once we know what is needed (Saddle Search and Analysis for Suitability)
Because not everyone needs both services for their current situation, they are separately priced.
To Learn about Remote Saddle Fitting and Search and Analysis Process:
Because not everyone needs both services for their current situation, they are separately priced.
To Learn about Remote Saddle Fitting and Search and Analysis Process:
|
Looking to Sell Your Saddle? Let Me Help You Match It with the Perfect Buyer!
I'm excited to share a unique opportunity for those who would consider consigning their English saddles with me. I run a comprehensive saddle database—a one-of-a-kind tool that includes what is likely the only complete list of all English saddle makes and models, along with detailed information about their tree types and shapes. Here's how it works:
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, email me at [email protected] for more details. |
Click on Photo above to request the Saddle Match Maker sign up form to be sent via email.
|
Saddle fitting is both an art and a science. By understanding saddle tree types and how they align with different horse shapes, owners can make informed choices that benefit their horses' health and performance. Horses depend on us to make the right decisions—let’s be their best advocates.
As an independent Saddle Fitter, one of the first things I learned alongside “fitting” was English saddle repairs and re-flocking. I was hooked after that, and at the time there were plenty of well loved saddles available for me to take apart, clean, inspect and test, replace billets, tidy up any loose staples or nails and of course replace the wool flocking. In doing this for years and years you really get a good feel for the integrity of different trees. How consistently they are made. For custom saddles, I got to know the saddler and how he did his stitching.
I was lucky to be invited to several intensive courses where I learned from different saddlers and could hone my own style. It is with this hard earned experience that I share with you what I truly feel to be the most important part of saddle fitting.
Over the years, I have helped many horses and their owners by guiding them towards the correct saddle and model that has the tree that will best benefit them both. It is not easy, it is not quick…. Most of the clients that come to me, come so with a “tricky” horse to fit. This is where it helps to have all the knowledge I learned from ripping apart any saddle that I could to learn from it, and now I hope you will enjoy and benefit by learning from me.
Please browse my website for specifics regarding the advice, analysis and adjustments I am able to do in a remote fitting. I break it down so you know exactly what to expect.
As an independent Saddle Fitter, one of the first things I learned alongside “fitting” was English saddle repairs and re-flocking. I was hooked after that, and at the time there were plenty of well loved saddles available for me to take apart, clean, inspect and test, replace billets, tidy up any loose staples or nails and of course replace the wool flocking. In doing this for years and years you really get a good feel for the integrity of different trees. How consistently they are made. For custom saddles, I got to know the saddler and how he did his stitching.
I was lucky to be invited to several intensive courses where I learned from different saddlers and could hone my own style. It is with this hard earned experience that I share with you what I truly feel to be the most important part of saddle fitting.
Over the years, I have helped many horses and their owners by guiding them towards the correct saddle and model that has the tree that will best benefit them both. It is not easy, it is not quick…. Most of the clients that come to me, come so with a “tricky” horse to fit. This is where it helps to have all the knowledge I learned from ripping apart any saddle that I could to learn from it, and now I hope you will enjoy and benefit by learning from me.
Please browse my website for specifics regarding the advice, analysis and adjustments I am able to do in a remote fitting. I break it down so you know exactly what to expect.
|
|
Knowledge of trees and what to look for so your horse is not harmed. Navigate to "Saddle Search Help" page to get my free eBook or the full eBook to learn more!