Saddle Fitting Hints and Tips

Finding the Right Saddle

The General Purpose (GP) Saddle

This is a saddle which tries to be suitable for all activities. It is a compromise which allows the rider to ride adequately on the flat, over jumps or hacking. If the GP saddle is to fulfil its role, the rider, when sat balanced in the centre of the saddle, should be able to adopt a more classical position for flatwork/ dressage or a shorter leg position for jumping. Not usually suitable for anyone specialising or competing at a higher level than Riding Club.

The Very Slightly Dressage (VSD) Saddle

This style of saddle allows the rider to adopt a more classical position for flatwork, but also allow some jumping of small fences. Generally speaking most VSD saddles have a medium to deep seat and a flap that is straight so as to not interfere with the horses shoulder. The wider fitting VSD saddles are quite often suitable for cobby types with big shoulders.

The GP Jump Saddle

As the name suggests, this saddle is for the rider who wants to predominantly jump. The flap will be more forward cut and more than likely have both knee and thigh rolls. This will allow a slightly longer position for flatwork, but does not allow the classical position.

The Close Contact Jumping Saddle

Generally speaking these saddles will have a flat or shallow seat with a square cantle. Mostly they have a thin moulded panel made of foam, felt or a polymer mix allowing the rider’s leg to feel close to the horse. Semi close contact saddles are flocked though a thin panel in the traditional way and will be adjustable to an extent which is not possible with moulded panels.

The Dressage Saddle

This is the saddle for the rider who wants to specialise in dressage and adopt the classical position. It implies that the rider is in complete balance, sitting on their seat bones in the centre of the saddle with a long leg position. There are many variations o the dressage saddle giving the rider varying levels of support. Girth straps are usually longer than with GP and Jumping saddles allowing the rider’s leg to be close to the horse and more effective without the girth impeding its effect.

The Show Saddle

Very flat and close to the horse it accentuates the horse’s conformation. Plain, elegant flat seated with a square cantle and often with a half panel, it is almost always brown. Some native breed, Arab and coloured classes find black acceptable.

The Working Hunter Saddle

Similar to the Show Saddle, this saddle is not quite as straight cut, usually with a soft small knee roll to allow for the jumping phase. These saddles almost always have a full panel.

Treeless saddles

Treeless and flexible tree saddles are becoming popular today, though there are controversies surrounding their use. Proponents argue that treeless and flex-tree saddles move more easily with a horse's motion, and fit the horse better, particularly in the area of the horse's scapula (shoulder blade). Opponents argue that they create their own abnormal pressure points and over time can cause as many problems as an ill-fitting saddle. While a saddle tree can cause many problems if it is not made or fitted correctly, no tree at all also has drawbacks.

Flexible trees may be a compromise between the two camps, but manufacturing quality and design varies greatly. While flexible, adjustable trees are an alternate choice to traditional wooden trees, they may also carry some limitations inherent in either solid tree and treeless designs, and thus do not eliminate the necessity of proper fit.

Controversy arises in part because, while treeless and flexible tree saddles have benefits for horses with injuries related to poorly-fitted regular saddles, only a solid tree can keep the rider off the horse’s spine and distribute weight evenly across the horse's back without creating abnormal pressure points. Pressure should not be put directly on the spinal processes of the horse, nor on the ligament system that runs alongside the spine, and many treeless designs, including bareback pads, do allow pressure in this area.

Some treeless saddle designs may present problems for riders as well. Without a supportive tree over the horse's withers, a treeless saddle may place the rider behind the movement of the horse, creating pressure on the horse's loin, where there are no supporting ribs. Inadequate support may also lead to the rider's seat bones digging into the horses back.

Without a tree, a saddle cannot protect the horse's spine, support the curvature of the rider's spine, and be comfortable for both horse and rider. The rider can only achieve a correct seat with proper posture, and for proper collection, a horse needs to keep the longissimus dorsi loose so its back can rise, hindquarters can come under, and forehand lighten. Essentially, while treeless designs may have short-term therapeutic uses, over time, they do not provide the support, comfort and protection required for high-performance horses and riders to reach their optimal abilities.

Caring for your Saddle

All saddles need to be kept clean and dry. They need to be stored under cover, away from weather and dust. Ideally they should be stored in an area where they are kept at a slightly cool but consistent temperature, though the practical need to keep saddles near horses may make temperature-controlled storage difficult. Saddles also need to be kept away from a direct heat source. If leather gets wet, it must be allowed to dry naturally, away from a direct heat source. A properly cared-for saddle can last for many decades, even with regular use.

Cleaning is an important part of caring for tack. Tack that is not cleaned will start to build up sweat and dirt, which will cause uncomfortable rubbing on the horse. Sweat and dirt also tend to cause cracking in leather, which may result in breaking. This not only decreases the value of the saddle, but can be very dangerous if critical equipment, such as a stirrup leather, breaks mid-ride. Proper care and conditioning of the saddle will not only increase its useful life, but will also help to retain its value.

A saddle should be cleaned regularly if it used for work. Ideally, a rider should quickly wipe down the saddle after every ride with a slightly damp, but not wet, sponge or cloth, in order to remove any dirt and sweat. Once a week, or after every 5-7 rides, a more thorough cleaning should be performed.

Saddles are cleaned using saddle soap, followed by a conditioning (moisturizing) product that will restore the natural oils back into the leather. Saddle soap is used with only a minimal amount of water and suds or lather kept low, as getting the leather too wet may lead to a number of problems. In a dry climate, wet leather may dehydrate and crack, particularly if subjected to repeated wet-dry stresses. In a humid climate, excess water for cleaning creates an environment for rot and mould.

Once a saddle is clean, a conditioner is used to restore moisture removed by the cleaning process. While glycerine-based saddle soaps have conditioning properties, it is usually important to remove most soap residue before conditioning to prevent product build up on the leather. Saddles kept in storage also benefit from occasional conditioning to restore natural oils. While conditioning a saddle is an important element of saddle care, and critical in dry climates, over-oiling may rot jute or other natural fibre stitching, particularly in humid climates.

Neatsfoot oil is one traditional conditioner, and products containing beeswax are popular in some areas, but there are also many other commercial blends of conditioning products available. Oil products tend to darken leather from its natural colour. Sometimes this is desirable and sometimes not, depending on the desired shade of the leather.

Strap parts of the saddle, such as the stirrup leathers also need conditioning, but it varies by climate. In a dry climate, failure to oil straps may result in cracking and weakening of the leather, and they can snap or break. In a more humid climate, too much oil may weaken the leather. Properly conditioned leather is neither brittle nor floppy in texture and flexibility.

Saddles made of synthetic materials can be cleaned using water and a mild cleaner and do not require conditioning. They will tolerate being washed with water without risk of drying out or damaging the material. While synthetics to date will not last as long as a well-cared for leather saddle, they withstand lack of cleaning and care as well as exposure to rain and dampness quite well.

Before a horse show or other competition, the rider should take extra care to clean the saddle and polish all metal parts, including the D-rings, stirrups, stirrup bars and nailheads.

Achieving the Optimum Fit

Consequences of poor fit

Long term, poor saddle fit may cause multiple back problems for the horse. It is possible for the topline muscles to deteriorate, or for the horse to develop the wrong muscles. The muscles of the back under the withers may atrophy, causing hollows right behind the shoulders, giving the withers the appearance of being higher and sharper. Horses may also lose muscle tone from travelling with a hollowed back, leading to increased risk of lordosis ("swayback") or pinched nerves.

Evidence of a saddle with a poor fit include:

Sore back or "cold" back
Hollowing of the back, raising the head, and tensing the jaw against the bit while under saddle
General stiffness or one-sidedness, shown by a reluctance to take one lead over the other at the canter or reluctance to turn in one or both directions
Shortness of stride
Unwillingness to work, including "napping" or "balking" (refusal to go forward), bucking, rearing, bolting, or overall sour attitude
Uneven wear on the hooves
Intermittent or unexplained lameness
Uneven sweat pattern under the saddle after a workout, particularly dry spots in an area that should normally be sweaty. For example, two dry spots just behind the withers on either side of the back are indicative of either excess pressure causing reduced circulation. Dry spots in the centre of the back may indicate "bridging" of the saddle - no contact with the back in a location where the saddle should be in contact
Rub marks under the saddle. The hair may become sweaty, but shouldn't be roughed up to the point it lays sideways or backwards to its direction of growth. Roughened hair may indicate either rubbing and instability due to poor fit or it may be due to improper saddle placement (particularly putting the saddle on too far back and pushing it forward, pulling the hair the wrong direction).
In extreme cases, open sores or patches of white hairs (from death of cells due to abnormal pressure) sometimes called "saddle marks."

Fitting the Hose and rider

The most important part of saddle fitting is having the correct tree. Undoubtedly the front arch must be the correct width and shape, but equally important is the shape of the seat area of the tree - how much it dips in relation to the horses back, the length, the angle of the side rails and the width between them at the twist and the positioning and angle of the stirrup bars.

After achieving the best tree shape for the horse the panel type and girthing arrangement must also be considered. The height, weight, ability and discipline of the rider all play important part in the saddle fitting process as it is not suitable to have a tiny rider moving around in a saddle which is far too large or a large rider sitting at the back of a small saddle. This is why a Qualified Saddle Fitter should be consulted to achieve the optimum outcome, as they have the appropriate skills, knowledge and training to help fulfil the client’s expectations and make their horse or pony as comfortable as is possible.

The difficulty in saddle fitting comes from many areas but quite often preconceptions from the client with regards to the saddle they had imagined or their budget both of which can affect the outcome. It is best to have an open mind and communicate fully your requirements to the Saddle Fitter. Eg. A customer who wants a deep seated dressage saddle for a flat backed native pony or a close contact, flat seated jump saddle for their high withered, dipped back thoroughbred will cause the Saddle Fitter an impossible task.

It is important to remember that with all saddles, flocking will settle and horses change shape. The time of year, the age of the animal, the work being done; even a change of home or rider may considerably alter the way a saddle fits. It is good stable management t monitor this and check for any signs of discomfort in the horse. It is also advisable to check the leather and stitching of the saddle, especially the girth straps regularly for wear, as should be done with all tack. Also if the saddle has a changeable head plate, or flaps and panels which are bolted to the tree, it is essential to check all bolts are fastened tightly and checked regularly as they can work loose in work. If you are not sure how to do this your Qualified Saddle Fitter will be happy to show you how or do the checks for you.

Saddle Fitting Service

Saddle Fitting

Our saddle fitting service provides the following:

An initial discussion to assess you and your horse, and your respective requirements, and to book an appointment at a convenient time.

Based on the initial discussion, any suitable saddles held in stock will be selected and brought to the first visit. If we are unable to fit a saddle satisfactorily from the selection supplied, we will endeavour to find further models to meet your requirements, and make further visits as necessary until a suitable saddle is fitted, or we may arrange for a saddle to be made to the horse’s template.

Please note, in order to assess you and your horse correctly please ensure the following conditions are met:

A FLAT, HARD SURFACE where the horse can be stood up and run up in hand.

AN AREA WHERE THE HORSE CAN BE RIDDEN. When the horse is kept at livery or in training yard or similar, this may mean pre-booking the use of the school or menege. Saddle fitting can take a considerable time and Lizzy is likely to want the horse owner to ride in a number of short-listed saddles, an essentially important part of the fitting procedure. It is better to overbook than to find time is running out. Make certain the arena is ready on time and in good workable condition.

SHOW JUMPS/CROSS COUNTRY FENCES. If you are considering purchasing a saddle that will involve jumping, it is essential to ride over a few fences. Make certain that these are erected before Lizzy’s arrival: it is an irritating waste of time if jump stands and poles have to be moved during the fitting processes.

RIDER'S PRESENCE. Although this will appear remarkably obvious to the vast majority of riders, it is a fact that some believe their presence isn't a necessary factor! Occasionally horses are 'shared' or ridden regularly by more than one person and, in this case, both riders should be present.

EXAMPLES OF NUMNAHS, GEL PADS, ET CETERA. The Society of Master Saddlers generally cautions that the well fitting saddle does not require the addition of anything under it with the possible exception of a thin saddle cloth. There are, however, exceptions to every rule. When there is a valid reason for using a numnah or gel pad the saddle fitter will need to allow for the addition in exactly the same way that you take into account wearing extra thick socks or in-soles with a pair of well-fitting new shoes. Many dressage riders like to make use of a riser pad under the saddle. While occasionally being temporarily beneficial, in general a riser pad tends to unbalance the well-fitting saddle and, in extreme cases, can be the cause of serious problems. Always discuss possible use with the saddle fitter concerned.

HAVE YOUR OWN STIRRUP LEATHERS AND GIRTH AVAILABLE. The Lizzy will be carrying girths of various types and sizes but it is a good idea to have your own available (although, in some instances, it may not be the correct type and length for the saddle you are purchasing). Using your own stirrup leathers is generally more comfortable and avoids the possibility of the saddle fitter's new leathers becoming marked and therefore difficult to sell.

PRESENTING A WELL GROOMED ANIMAL ISN'T MERELY A COSMETIC EXERCISE. We would obviously prefer to preserve the condition of his new saddles but, in addition, the marks left on the well groomed horse's back after removal of the saddle are significant because they indicate bearing surfaces and further identify unwanted movement. When the horse is ill-groomed, the marks left by the saddle may be blurred or indistinguishable.

Once the saddle has been fitted, we will provide a further visit within the first six months to check that the saddle still fits once broken in. We recommend that the saddle is checked every six months for fit & balance, as horses can change shape, and flocking can settle.

Please also keep your mobile phone on, in case Lizzy is held up in traffic, or there are any problems such as the weather.

Charges

The call out charge is £40 per horse. This includes a free check within the first six months of a saddle being fitted.

Follow up checks on saddles supplied by us (after the free check) will be £30 per visit.

The first visit to a horse to check a saddle that has not been supplied by us is £40. Any additional saddles checked at the same visit, on the same horse, will be £15 each. Any subsequent checks of the same saddle on the same horse will be £30. We will not normally do follow up checks on saddles fitted by another registered saddle fitter - you should refer back to the original fitter who will have the paperwork necessary to do the follow up properly.

Any re-flocking or adjustments deemed necessary following the check will be chargeable at the normal rates (ranging from £10 to £40 depending on the work and materials involved). Minor adjustments are normally carried out on site. Major adjustments will be done in the workshop, and the saddle will normally need to be refitted to the horse after adjusting. Charges for workshop adjustments will be discussed at the time.

There will be an extra travelling charge for out of area visits - this will be discussed with you at the time of booking.

Accessories such as stirrup leathers, girths, saddlecloths, bridles, etc can be provided on request and will attract a discount of 10% if bought together with a new saddle - please let us know your requirements in advance.

Code of Practice - The Society of Master Saddlers

All members will:

Inform clients of the costs of ALL saddle fitting service including travel expenses and consultancy time prior to commitment.
Advise clients that horses may change shape and that after the sale of the saddle it may periodically need to be checked and rebalanced.
Keep full records of the saddle fitting and the horse as recommended by the Society.
In the event of a saddle being found unsatisfactory as a result of defective materials or workmanship, correct the defect promptly free of charge. All warranties should be upheld.
In cases of complaint, respond promptly and politely. Where the case is unresolved, provide full details to the Society so that the Complaints Procedure may be followed. In addition, co-operate fully with the consumer organisations.
In the event of being asked for a second opinion on a saddle fitted within the previous six months by a Society member, the client must in the first instance be referred back to the original fitter. If the client still requires second opinion, it may only be given after liaison with the original saddle fitter and on being in receipt of all original records. A suitable fee will be charged for this professional consultation.
An approved second opinion must have no other commercial involvement with the client immediately before, during or immediately after this consultation. This may jeopardise the credibility of the evidence. (Only through this procedure will the second opinion be accepted as credible by the Society).

It is the Responsibility of the Client to Ensure:

That the horse is presented in a suitable environment allow the saddle fitter to carry out work in a professional manner.
That the horse is presented in a suitable condition and state of fitness for the on-going saddle usage.
That any independent adviser from whom they may wish to seek advice is present during the fitting for consultation with the saddler.
That the horse’s condition is regularly monitored and that the saddler is advised of any changes affecting the fit of the saddle.

President
The Society of Master Saddlers (U.K.) Ltd