The complete saddle fitting experience for horse and rider.
A Full Saddle Fit is a thorough, two-hour appointment designed to evaluate your horse, your rider position, and your saddle as a complete system. This is where real answers come from.
Full Saddle Fit ($200/horse)
Horse Assessment
I start by reviewing your horse's history, workload, and any changes you've noticed. Your horse is evaluated both standing and in motion without a saddle, allowing me to assess symmetry, muscle development, and subtle signs of discomfort before anything else.
If your horse presents with open wounds or acute pain, the session will be discontinued and rescheduled.
Measurements & Templates
Using chalk and precision tools, I identify scapula movement, the saddle support area, and your horse's optimal balance point. I take detailed back and wither measurements and create custom cardboard templates that represent your horse's shape at key points.
These templates are yours to keep, they allow you to eliminate poor-fitting saddles quickly and focus only on realistic options when shopping.
Current Saddle Evaluation
If you own a saddle, it will be evaluated both statically and under motion. I assess balance and stability, pressure patterns, compatibility with your horse's measurements, cinch width, length, and material.
Ridden Evaluation
When safe and appropriate, I observe you riding in all three gaits. I look at saddle stability under motion, your horse's freedom of movement, and your balance and support as a rider.
A saddle must work for both horse and rider to be considered a correct fit.
Tack & Discipline Considerations
Pads, breast collars, rear cinches, and discipline-specific equipment are all reviewed. The right tack setup makes a real difference.
