Frequently asked questions

Question

What do I need to do when booking and preparing for a saddle fitting?

Answer

British Horse Magazine July 2010

Golden Rules for fitting a leather saddle

The smell and feel of leather saddles is something that evokes strong memories in most of us when we walk into a saddlery. But to get the perfect performance out of your horse you must ensure that your saddle is a perfect fit. How many of us have rejected one pair of shoes in a show shop in favour of another because of the difference in comfort... certainly, not many of us would choose to run a marathon in someone else’s shoes, so why should it be any different for a horse being fitted with a saddle with the added complication of having a rider perched on top? Saddle fitting is a skill with so many factors affecting the fit of the saddle including the basics such as breed, type, size and conformation and then the size of the rider(s). No matter how good or expensive a saddle might be, it cannot fulfil its function if it is not correctly fitted.

Here are some golden rules to remember when it comes to saddle fitting:

1. First and foremost your saddle, new or second-hand, should be fitted by a qualified saddle fitter. Their first consideration will always be the horse. You will need to take the horses’ confirmation into account rather than a preconceived idea of which make or model you would like!
• The size and width of tree must be suited to the horse being fitted.
• The angle of tree must correspond to the angle of the horse’s shoulder
• The seat size will correspond to both the horse and rider i.e. 17” or 17.5”. If the horse is not large enough to accommodate a saddle suitable for the rider, the saddler may recommend changing the horse/pony!
• The saddle must provide total clearance of the dorsal spinal processes
• The saddle must not interfere with the horse’s shoulder blade
• The tree must be symmetrical unless to take into account irreversible one-sidedness from injury.
• The saddle must always be level when viewed from the side. Anything else compromises the horse's comfort and welfare. 'Up-hill' the rider will sit too far back. 'Down-hill the rider will be encouraged onto the fork.
• When viewed from the front and rear the saddle gullet must always provide adequate clearance - both before and after the horse is exercised.
• The flocking in intended to act as a shock absorber. It must be smooth and lump free.
• The girth should lie within the girth groove and not pull the saddle forward.

2. Your horse changes shape regularly. The frequency of these changes will relate to his age, training, management and so on. Try to develop an eye to recognise these changes. Viewed on a daily basis, the changes may seem inconsequential but over a period of just a week or so they can be surprisingly substantial. Have your saddle checked - and any necessary adjustments made - regularly.

3. It may be possible to adjust your existing saddle to fit your new horse - but the advice of a qualified saddle fitter should always be sought.

4. Each horse should have its own saddle. The saddle adopts the contours of the horse. Ill advised riders use one saddle on several horses without pausing to consider possible consequences.

5. If you MUST use a Sheepskin, Foam or gel halfpad the saddle fitter must be informed at the time of the original enquiry - and always before the saddle is fitted.

6. Unlevelness, even slight, in your horse's gait - especially behind - can cause the saddle to move/gyrate thus possibly exacerbating the existing problem.

7. Mounting from a mounting block is recommended! It is infinitely better for the horse's back and guards against the saddle tree becoming twisted. If mounting from the ground be aware that the stirrup leathers should be changed from side to side regularly to avoid the near-side leather stretching.

8. The young horse must be fitted especially carefully. His - or her - back is 'virgin territory' and very precious. Great care must be taken to avoid any damage that may cause problems later in life. Young horses should never be lunged in any old saddle ('it doesn't matter - no-one is going to ride in it').

Information Needed by the Saddle Fitter
1. Name, address, telephone numbers.
2. Horse’s name, breeding/type, age and height
3. Wither type
4. Main discipline and level he’s competing at
5. Fitness level
6. Rider’s height, weight and age
7. Preferences; but keep an open mind!

Preparing for your saddle fitting
1. Your horse should be clean and dry, (no coat shine please!), therefore caught!
2. You need a hard surface for standing the horse up and running up.
3. An arena for the horse to be ridden in- if you need to book please allow enough time.
4. If you intend to jump in the saddle the fitter will need you to have a fence or two prepared.
5. The rider must be present and ready to ride! You may be surprised how many times a fitter can arrive to find no rider there!
6. Most saddlers will carry leathers, irons and girths but it is a good idea to have yours available.

Fitting Procedures
1. Tell your saddler about the horse’s temperament before they handle the horse! Also let them know about any possible contagious or infectious disease on the yard.
2. The saddler should introduce himself to the horse and give him a quick once over. Hopefully the horse will match the description given so the saddles brought along will be a relevant selection.
3. Next he will examine the horse’s back, noting: condition, age, any asymmetrical development, sores, and tightness, white’ hairs. All being well, he’ll proceed.
4. The horse should then be run-up to check lameness, un-level steps as this could have an adverse effect on the fit of the saddle.
5. The saddler will take records of the horse’s shape.
6. A number of saddles may be placed on to assess for suitability to create a shortlist.
7. The saddles will then be tried. The rider will need to walk, trot and canter the horse on both reins and jump if required.
8. Once a saddle is selected minor alterations may be required to perfect the fit.
9. Most saddles are soft flocked at first to allow them to mould to the horse’s back. They will require checking between 6-12 weeks.

Here at David Dyer Saddles we dedicated to getting the best fit for your horse which may well be adjusting your current saddle by flocking or adjusting it with appropriate riser pads. Our saddle fitter, David Dyer, is a former President of the Society of Master Saddlers and has been an assessor for the SMS Saddle Fitters qualifying examination for many years. David Dyer Saddles has up to 600 new saddles in stock at any one time and David himself has over 40 years experience in saddle fitting and is happy to answer any queries you might have.


*for more information about the Saddle Fitting Qualification contact the Society of Master Saddlers information below.
Taken and adapted from the Society of Master Saddlers Website www.mastersaddlers.co.uk
David Dyer of David Dyer Saddles (previously Frogpool Manor), Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Fitter is available on sales@daviddyersaddles.co.uk or 0208 308 0500.