HollyWoozle
Well-Known Member
My saddle-fitting experience to encourage anyone with doubts to book a saddle-fitting appointment. 
On Thursday we had the saddle-fitter come out to see Belle. This is my first experience with saddle-fitters, my Mum has (until now) been more of the 'old school' mindset where saddle-fitting seems like a waste of money. As I rely on my parents for horsie funding, I had to get her to come around to the idea.
A few weeks ago, Belle span around as I got on her and I came straight off the side. I got back on with no problems and went to my lesson, put it down to her usual unpredictable behaviour. The few times after that, I noticed that she flung her back legs out after I got on, then once she twitched as I did up the girth. Discussed with my instructor and we agreed that now Belle is more muscly and fit (insert proud grin here), her saddle seemed a little tight across the shoulders. Instructor's daughter needed saddle fitter for her neddy so we decided to share call-out fee and of course, Mum was totally on board when we explained it.
Cut to Thursday and Belle was an ANGEL. As we turned up, the other horse was pratting about and the saddle-fitter actually said "thank goodness, a calm one" which made me smirk. My horse was the calm one for once, woohoo! The saddle-fitter was able to reflock Inca's old saddle to fit Belle, watched us ride in it and we were all very happy (including Belle who wanted to canter around in it a lot).
All in all, it cost us £48 for the shared call-out and to reflock a saddle we already had. The lady was really nice, explained everything she was doing to us and gave genuine and friendly advice. The moral of this story really is that if you have any doubts about saddle-fitting... go for it! I know that sounds silly when it is obviously a good thing, but perhaps there are others out there who are not sure how it works or if it's necessary, etc etc. I can tell you that it was a real pleasure to look down and see Belle's shoulders moving so freely and to know that she was comfortable.
PS. We were using a Wintec which Belle came with and which was fine originally. The saddle-fitter said Belle had no swellings "which you often find with Wintecs", but that she was slightly stiff further back where the saddle was moving as I trotted. We could choose for her to reflock that or Inca's Barnsby, so we obviously went for the latter.
On Thursday we had the saddle-fitter come out to see Belle. This is my first experience with saddle-fitters, my Mum has (until now) been more of the 'old school' mindset where saddle-fitting seems like a waste of money. As I rely on my parents for horsie funding, I had to get her to come around to the idea.
A few weeks ago, Belle span around as I got on her and I came straight off the side. I got back on with no problems and went to my lesson, put it down to her usual unpredictable behaviour. The few times after that, I noticed that she flung her back legs out after I got on, then once she twitched as I did up the girth. Discussed with my instructor and we agreed that now Belle is more muscly and fit (insert proud grin here), her saddle seemed a little tight across the shoulders. Instructor's daughter needed saddle fitter for her neddy so we decided to share call-out fee and of course, Mum was totally on board when we explained it.
Cut to Thursday and Belle was an ANGEL. As we turned up, the other horse was pratting about and the saddle-fitter actually said "thank goodness, a calm one" which made me smirk. My horse was the calm one for once, woohoo! The saddle-fitter was able to reflock Inca's old saddle to fit Belle, watched us ride in it and we were all very happy (including Belle who wanted to canter around in it a lot).
All in all, it cost us £48 for the shared call-out and to reflock a saddle we already had. The lady was really nice, explained everything she was doing to us and gave genuine and friendly advice. The moral of this story really is that if you have any doubts about saddle-fitting... go for it! I know that sounds silly when it is obviously a good thing, but perhaps there are others out there who are not sure how it works or if it's necessary, etc etc. I can tell you that it was a real pleasure to look down and see Belle's shoulders moving so freely and to know that she was comfortable.
PS. We were using a Wintec which Belle came with and which was fine originally. The saddle-fitter said Belle had no swellings "which you often find with Wintecs", but that she was slightly stiff further back where the saddle was moving as I trotted. We could choose for her to reflock that or Inca's Barnsby, so we obviously went for the latter.