Q. What is a saddle fit assessment – what
should I expect?

Horse Body Assessment
We will need to have the horse standing square on firm, flat ground so we can assess his conformation, weight, condition, the symmetry of his muscle structure & tone, hoof balance, measure his gullet width and bearing length. 

We then palpate his body to test for any issues arising from previous saddles. All of these points alter saddle fit.
We run a biomechanics assessment in walk and trot in-hand to assess movement and any irregularities that might affect saddle fit.

Saddle Assessment off the Horse
If you are having your own saddle assessed, we conduct a Saddle Health Check to make sure there are no issues with wear and tear, unevenness in the tree or flocking that may affect your horse.

Saddle on the Horse
This is the major part of the saddle fit assessment.  If you are having your own saddle assessed, we run through our Saddle Assessment on the horse, walk and trot the horse in hand again, this time with the saddle on, to assess dynamic fit, balance and movement.

If you are looking at new saddles, we work through a choice of saddles looking at appropriate tree shape, balance, width and clearance, gullet and channel width, panel width and pitch, girthing options and the saddle in movement on the horse.

From here we make a short list of saddles for the rider to try.

Rider Assessment on the Horse
It's time to look at the horse and rider combination, to check saddle suitability for the rider, any rider symmetry issues that may affect the saddle and horse in movement, plus how pressure distribution and saddle movement changes with the rider on board.

If the horse is using a jumping saddle for showjumping or eventing, we like to see the horse ridden over a jump.

When purchasing new, from our short list of saddles, we do a ridden assessment for suitability and comfort for the rider. If we are providing a custom-made option we will also template and photograph the horse on completion of the ridden portion.

How to Prepare for Your Assessment

What to Bring
🔹Please make sure your horse is clean and ready for our Saddlefit Assessment at the time of your booking, and that you are ready and equipped to ride. 

🔹Practice walking and trotting your horse in straight lines in hand prior to our assessment, so it is not a new experience and he is familiar with the process.

🔹If your horse is likely to be fresh and nervous in a new location or for our fitting, please allow time prior to your fitting to get your horse used to the area, or work your horse in hand first if this is necessary.

🔹Make sure you bring with you all of the tack that you normally use on your horse.  If you have a choice of different half pads or girths, or use a specific sheepskin pad for showing or competition, please bring that as well, so we can check the fit.

🔹Finally, if your horse is used for jumping, we need access to a jump to check the fit of your saddle in motion.