Stop Endless Used Saddle Searching!
Let me utilize my 20 years as an Independent Saddle Fitter, with 10 years of remote online support and saddle searching experience to guide you.
Let me utilize my 20 years as an Independent Saddle Fitter, with 10 years of remote online support and saddle searching experience to guide you.
How Could a Remote Fitting Be a Good Choice?
If I were at your farm performing an on-site saddle fitting, much of the critical work would still happen after I leave, should it be determined you need a different saddle. I don’t carry a thousand saddles in my truck, which would be necessary to find the perfect fit on the spot. Instead, whether the fitting is in person or remote, the process often remains the same: assessing your horse, reviewing movement, and carefully selecting the right saddle starting with the tree shape. From there, we work through the details—billet configuration, stirrup bar location, and panel style—to ensure the best possible fit.
Many people don’t realize how much of this process happens away from the barn, which is why I started offering remote fittings—because I was already doing this work regardless of whether I saw the horse in person. I'd take pictures, videos and tracings to guide me afterwards and it does translate if you know what you need. Years of "hands on horses" and successful online fittings and "match making" tell me my remote methods and tools are effective.
Why Remote Fitting Works So Well
✅ Ongoing Support & Coaching – We stay in contact throughout the process, allowing you to ask questions and gain valuable insights as you refine your horse’s saddle fit.
✅ More Flexibility & Time to Evaluate – Instead of a one-time session, we can assess fit over multiple days and conditions, ensuring a more accurate and long-term solution.
✅ Expands Your Saddle Options – A remote fitting allows us to explore a wider range of saddles without being limited to what’s on hand during an in-person visit.
✅ Knowledge You Can Use for Years – You’ll having a starting benchmark to refer to. You'll gain a deeper understanding of your horse’s posture, biomechanics and saddle "landmarks" and how to maintain proper saddle fit as your horse develops.
This collaborative approach ensures a thoughtful, well-informed saddle selection process and gives you the confidence to make the best choice for your horse’s long-term comfort and performance.
Are you tired of:
- Scrolling through hundreds of saddles online, feeling overwhelmed and lost?
- Worrying about wasting money on a used saddle that looks good online but ends up being a terrible fit for your horse?
- Spending hours comparing saddle brands and models, trying to decipher tree sizes and panel types, without really understanding what will work for your horse?
- Feeling unsure if you can even accurately assess saddle fit from online photos and descriptions?
- Wishing you had an expert to guide you through the used saddle maze and give you confidence in your choice?
Introducing "Saddle Fit Solved" - The Practical & Proven Used Saddle Search Process
"Imagine a smarter way to find a used dressage, jump or all-purpose saddle (locally or online) – one that removes the guesswork, saves you time and money, and gives you confidence you're making the right choice for your horse.
At Saddle Fit Solved, we understand the unique challenges of the used saddle market. That's why we offer a proven system to find a well-fitting used English saddle online, combining expert guidance with essential knowledge, thanks to our unique approach and resources."
I'm getting excited, as my book is almost done and I wanted to share a draft of the chapter content.... This is YEARS of case studies and experiences and I know it will help so many people. I have to stop adding to it at some point! So here is a teaser :)
Your Guide to a Successful Used Saddle Search: Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction
• Sets the stage for your saddle search journey, outlining the goal of empowering you with the knowledge to navigate the used saddle market confidently and find a saddle that truly suits both you and your horse.
Chapter 2: About the Author & Sport Horse Therapeutic Services
• Introduces the author, Lori Anderson, detailing her extensive experience and qualifications as an independent saddle fitter, establishing the expertise behind the guide.
Chapter 3: Understanding Your Horse – Conformation & Assessment
• Teaches you the importance of assessing your horse's unique build, including back shape, wither profile, back length, musculature, and the role of posture and hoof health in saddle fitting. Understand when your horse might need foundational work before saddle fitting would be productive.
Chapter 4: Understanding Saddle Trees and Their Role in Saddle Fit
• The saddle tree is the foundation of saddle fit. Discover different tree types (wood, synthetic, adjustable), learn about the key features, and why matching the tree shape to your horse is non-negotiable for comfort and performance.
Chapter 5: English Saddle Panel Types and Their Purpose
• Explores the critical interface between saddle and horse: the panels. Learn about different fillings (wool, foam, air), shapes (gusseted, upswept, drop-panels, shoulder relief, etc.), and how they distribute pressure, helping you match panel design to your horse's specific needs.
Chapter 6: Billets, Girthing & Choosing the Correct Girth
• Explains how billet configurations (point, Y/V-billet, standard, center) and proper girthing impact saddle stability and movement/slipping. This chapter guides you in selecting the right girth length and style for your saddle and horse combination.
Chapter 7: The Rider’s Influence on Saddle Fit
• Highlights that saddle fit is dependent on many factors of rider influence. Focusing on how your own physique, balance, and riding position affect the saddle's performance and your horse's comfort. Understand how factors like leg length and hip width dictate saddle choice.
Chapter 8: Seat Size & Saddle Measurement Details
• Provides practical guidance on determining the correct seat size for rider comfort and balance, explaining how to measure seat size and flap length, and navigating differences between saddle styles, disciplines and deep vs. flat seat.
Chapter 9: Twist – Explanation and Importance
• Explains the often-misunderstood saddle twist – the narrow part of the seat. Learn how twist width affects rider comfort (especially related to hip width) and its connection to the horse's fit.
Chapter 10: Rider Symmetry, Balance & Stirrup Bar Considerations
• Delves into the subtle but significant impact of rider symmetry and how the stirrup bar's position affects your leg alignment and overall balance, including how to measure and assess this crucial feature.
Chapter 11: Rider Saddle Fit Challenges and Solutions
• Addresses common rider-specific fit problems (like long femurs, feeling tipped forward/back, hip discomfort) and offers practical saddle solutions and potential adjustments to achieve harmony between horse and rider.
Chapter 12: Finding Your Ideal Stirrup Leather Length & Types
• Covers the essentials of choosing the right stirrup leather length for your discipline and body type, and compares different leather types (traditional, lined, webbers) for durability, stretch, and feel.
Chapter 13: Monoflap Saddles – Special Considerations
• Focuses specifically on monoflap saddles, explaining their unique construction, close-contact feel, billet/girth requirements, and points to consider if you're thinking about switching to or buying a used monoflap.
Chapter 14: How to Analyze Saddles for Purchase (Remote or In-Person)
• Equips you with a systematic checklist for evaluating used saddles before purchase, covering what photos/videos to request, key questions to ask sellers, and hands-on checks for tree integrity, panel condition, and overall soundness. Case study photos will help guide your use of tracings and show you how to do comparisons to potential saddle choices.
Chapter 15: Remote Saddle Fitting and Used Saddle Considerations
• Explores the process of remote saddle fitting consultations and highlights specific pitfalls and points to remember when navigating the used saddle market, from deciphering serial numbers to setting realistic budgets.
Chapter 16: Practical Steps for Saddle Trials and Potential Adjustments that Could Improve Fit
• Provides a step-by-step guide for making the most of saddle trial periods, including static fit checks, dynamic assessments under saddle, recognizing horse feedback, and using temporary adjustments (shims/pads) to diagnose potential solutions.
Chapter 17: Resources and Tools for the Saddle Fitting Journey
• Compiles valuable resources including insights into various saddle brands, DIY measurement tools (like tracing forms), recommended gadgets, and guidance on when and how to seek ongoing professional fitting help.
*Includes Handy Check Sheets for “Must Haves” and “Take to the Barn” Tracing and Measurement Steps. Support For Your Questions and Video Examples Available!
Your Guide to a Successful Used Saddle Search: Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction
• Sets the stage for your saddle search journey, outlining the goal of empowering you with the knowledge to navigate the used saddle market confidently and find a saddle that truly suits both you and your horse.
Chapter 2: About the Author & Sport Horse Therapeutic Services
• Introduces the author, Lori Anderson, detailing her extensive experience and qualifications as an independent saddle fitter, establishing the expertise behind the guide.
Chapter 3: Understanding Your Horse – Conformation & Assessment
• Teaches you the importance of assessing your horse's unique build, including back shape, wither profile, back length, musculature, and the role of posture and hoof health in saddle fitting. Understand when your horse might need foundational work before saddle fitting would be productive.
Chapter 4: Understanding Saddle Trees and Their Role in Saddle Fit
• The saddle tree is the foundation of saddle fit. Discover different tree types (wood, synthetic, adjustable), learn about the key features, and why matching the tree shape to your horse is non-negotiable for comfort and performance.
Chapter 5: English Saddle Panel Types and Their Purpose
• Explores the critical interface between saddle and horse: the panels. Learn about different fillings (wool, foam, air), shapes (gusseted, upswept, drop-panels, shoulder relief, etc.), and how they distribute pressure, helping you match panel design to your horse's specific needs.
Chapter 6: Billets, Girthing & Choosing the Correct Girth
• Explains how billet configurations (point, Y/V-billet, standard, center) and proper girthing impact saddle stability and movement/slipping. This chapter guides you in selecting the right girth length and style for your saddle and horse combination.
Chapter 7: The Rider’s Influence on Saddle Fit
• Highlights that saddle fit is dependent on many factors of rider influence. Focusing on how your own physique, balance, and riding position affect the saddle's performance and your horse's comfort. Understand how factors like leg length and hip width dictate saddle choice.
Chapter 8: Seat Size & Saddle Measurement Details
• Provides practical guidance on determining the correct seat size for rider comfort and balance, explaining how to measure seat size and flap length, and navigating differences between saddle styles, disciplines and deep vs. flat seat.
Chapter 9: Twist – Explanation and Importance
• Explains the often-misunderstood saddle twist – the narrow part of the seat. Learn how twist width affects rider comfort (especially related to hip width) and its connection to the horse's fit.
Chapter 10: Rider Symmetry, Balance & Stirrup Bar Considerations
• Delves into the subtle but significant impact of rider symmetry and how the stirrup bar's position affects your leg alignment and overall balance, including how to measure and assess this crucial feature.
Chapter 11: Rider Saddle Fit Challenges and Solutions
• Addresses common rider-specific fit problems (like long femurs, feeling tipped forward/back, hip discomfort) and offers practical saddle solutions and potential adjustments to achieve harmony between horse and rider.
Chapter 12: Finding Your Ideal Stirrup Leather Length & Types
• Covers the essentials of choosing the right stirrup leather length for your discipline and body type, and compares different leather types (traditional, lined, webbers) for durability, stretch, and feel.
Chapter 13: Monoflap Saddles – Special Considerations
• Focuses specifically on monoflap saddles, explaining their unique construction, close-contact feel, billet/girth requirements, and points to consider if you're thinking about switching to or buying a used monoflap.
Chapter 14: How to Analyze Saddles for Purchase (Remote or In-Person)
• Equips you with a systematic checklist for evaluating used saddles before purchase, covering what photos/videos to request, key questions to ask sellers, and hands-on checks for tree integrity, panel condition, and overall soundness. Case study photos will help guide your use of tracings and show you how to do comparisons to potential saddle choices.
Chapter 15: Remote Saddle Fitting and Used Saddle Considerations
• Explores the process of remote saddle fitting consultations and highlights specific pitfalls and points to remember when navigating the used saddle market, from deciphering serial numbers to setting realistic budgets.
Chapter 16: Practical Steps for Saddle Trials and Potential Adjustments that Could Improve Fit
• Provides a step-by-step guide for making the most of saddle trial periods, including static fit checks, dynamic assessments under saddle, recognizing horse feedback, and using temporary adjustments (shims/pads) to diagnose potential solutions.
Chapter 17: Resources and Tools for the Saddle Fitting Journey
• Compiles valuable resources including insights into various saddle brands, DIY measurement tools (like tracing forms), recommended gadgets, and guidance on when and how to seek ongoing professional fitting help.
*Includes Handy Check Sheets for “Must Haves” and “Take to the Barn” Tracing and Measurement Steps. Support For Your Questions and Video Examples Available!
Chapter 14 resource: PDF for you to send to sellers. Contains saddle views and descriptions of pictures you are requesting of them.
| saddle_picture_view_angles.pdf |
Start Your Search Off Right
Here are some more ways that Sport Horse Therapeutic Services helps clients be successful:
Sneak Peak Version! Free eBookUse this guide to get you headed in the right direction without missing the important steps!
*Don't worry - I do NOT send any emails unless I have something valuable to offer you! |
Remote Fitting ConsultationProfessional Guidance:
Free Consultation To Determine if this is Right for You. Detailed analysis of the needs for you and your horse (beyond what can be done in one onsite fitting). Summary with marked up photos of your horse and description of individual needs.to get you on your way to Saddle Fit Solved! |
How To Choose Your Next SaddleCOMING SOON!
A Full length eBook on the saddle selection process. |