Guide to saddle fitting?

[dwi]

I have a saddler coming out to see Daisy on Wednesday. Does anyone have any tips on what to look for when she is being fitted? Presumably I need to try her ridden, do I need to walk, trot and canter?

One of my friends on the yard had a terrible saddle fitter out who sold her one that quite clearly didn't fit. It slipped really badly and apparently his attitude was "well you had a small budget...".

How do I know that I'm getting good advice and not being fleeced? What do I look for?

 

[kerilli]

there's a book by Kay Humphries called a Guide to Saddle Fitting, i think you can get it on ebay, there are lots of pictures to show you what to look for. it really is too complicated to try to explain on here, i think!

 

[SALLYT]

A good fitter should first look at your horse in the stable with out the saddle on, run their hand over the back for any sore areas etc, then ask to see the horse trotted up in hand.

The saddle fitting itself , i'm totally green, but I have watched and listen to a few over the last few months, make sure that its high enough over the withers and that you can place your fingers easily enough between the shoulders and the saddle, this is before the girth is tightened.Some trees suit some horses backs and some don't . they also check to see if it bridges, I'm sorry not knowledgable to comment on this fully. Once a saddle has been selected you are then asked to walk , trot and canter on both reins and periodically asked to stop to check the position of the saddle, check your horses way of going to that of your normal saddle, are their ears forward are they moving freely, do they seem comfortable.

Also if you use a particular saddle cloth etc, have this available at the time of fitting, don't be frightened of asking as many questions as you want. If in doubt of the service you receive don't purchase the saddle have a little time to think about things , don't get pressurized into anything.

Probably not added anything that you didn't know already, but good luck.

 

[alsxx]

Check the horses coat after riding in it - any signs of disturbace of the hair indicates that it is moving in some way. This is from personal experience of a dodgy saddler and an ill-fitting saddle!! Dont be worried about double checking stuff - i was and it cost me!