The Back Lady

Saddle Fitting

Having started primarily as a Chiropractor, I branched out into saddle fitting as I found that so many apparent back problems were actually saddle fitting problems.

Having a saddle that fits well can make the difference between having a happy, willing, cooperative horse that enjoys working, to one that is sour, resentful, resistant or dangerous. Unfortunately, many horses are huge hearted and stoical, and will try their best despite a poorly fitting saddle that is causing pain and muscle loss. I would love to see how much better these animals could do with a comfortable saddle.

The right saddle is just as important for you as the rider. It needs to be the right size in seat and flap for your shape, and needs to put you in the right position for the job. This is why dressage and jumping saddles are different – you need to ride with your legs and seat in different places to be safe and effective. A GP saddle will almost always be a compromise, as it may not sit you well for either flatwork or jumping.

In looking at the fit of a saddle I aim to ensure that:

• Young horses maintain and develop healthy back muscles
• Horses with weak or injured topline muscling have the opportunity to strengthen, heal and develop
• Horses without problems remain problem free!

Look at the list of problems poor saddle fitting can cause:

• Horse turns away or puts his ears back when you approach with tack
• Ears back, tail swishing, biting, kicking when saddled or girthed
• Won’t stand still for mounting
• Cold backed
• Hunches back for first few steps
• Bucking, rearing, napping, broncing
• Lazy off the leg
• Resentful of being asked to go forward / canter
• Stiff on one rein
• Difficult to round up / go on the bit
• Difficult to stop / running away / bolting
• Reluctant to jump / bucking after a jump / rushing jumps
• Anxious / abnormal sweating / stressy
• Grumpy to groom / rug
• Difficulty developing topline / loss of topline
• And so on!

Your horse’s saddle is the most important piece of equipment you need for safety, harmony and a successful performance.

In my saddle fitting consultancy, I provide a number of services.

• I will do my best to work with your existing saddle, by reflocking and remedial numnah or pad use, to make your saddle fit as well as possible. However, sometimes saddles are asymmetrical, too narrow, or the tree is really the wrong shape, so this cannot work
• I can come and fit other saddles that you have available from whatever source
• I have a range of new ‘LM’ saddles (see below) that I can fit for you
• Occasionally I have some good quality second hand saddles for sale
• Horses inevitably change shape with the seasons and with variations in workload. This can have an effect on the fit of your saddle, so I feel it is important that you have back up and support to deal with this
• I provide education, to you as the horse owner, on what to look for in a well fitting saddle, and what to check for regularly to ensure that your saddle is still fitting
• I provide a ‘by appointment’ reflocking service, so your saddle is only with me for a day or two
• I can do minor repairs and girth strap replacement

 

 

I offer an exceptional range of saddles developed by Lavinia Mitchell. Lavinia is a saddling consultant with many years of experience, she has paid particular attention to the details that make all the difference for horse and rider comfort and fit. To find out more, please go to her website.

Lavinia’s website has an amazing gallery of photos of horses with good and bad saddles, with healthy and damaged back muscling, and the amazing recovery possible with good saddle fitting, please do have a look!

I have chosen this range of saddles for its good design, quality and value for money. The saddles are English and Italian leather and are made in Walsall.

The saddles are available in a variety of models in a selection of widths and seat sizes for both ponies and horses.