What you can do as an owner to ensure a good Saddle Fitting Session

If we are going to be successful in choosing the right Saddle to fit you and your Horse we have to work hard as a team.

Your Horse must be:

" Sound

" Not have any un treated medical conditions [particularly to do with his back]

" Have his teeth regularly checked [every 6 months]

" Be in work at least able to Walk and Trot under saddle

" Be reasonably well behaved both on the ground and under Saddle

To be able to access the Horse and measure him correctly:

Your Horse should be in, clean, dry and ready for the Saddle Fitter well before your appointment time so that no time is wasted when your Saddle Fitter arrives.

We will need:

A flat hard surface [yard or driveway] where the horse can be safely stood up and run up in hand

A safe well surfaced area where the Horse can be ridden. Make sure you have booked the arena so that you can spend time quietly trying saddles without disturbance or a time limit on how long you can use the area.

The Rider a Saddle cannot be properly fitted to the Horse and Rider unless the Rider is there!
Make sure the Rider that usually rides the Horse is able to try the Saddle out at the fitting.

Jumping Saddles if you are buying a jumping Saddle you will need to try your prospective new Saddle over a fence or two. Make sure you have suitable fences already put up so that there is no delay.

Dress: make sure you are safely and suitable dressed. Good safe foot wear is essential and the Saddle Fitter can take no responsibility if you choose not to wear a hard hat, when you try the Saddles.

Numnahs, Saddle Cloths and Saddle Pads. As a general rule a well fitting saddle should not require anything under it with the possible exception of a thin Saddle Cloth or Numnah. There are, however, exceptions. When there is a valid reason for using a numnah or gel pad the Saddle Fitter will allow for the extra bulk in exactly the same way that you take into account wearing thick socks or inner soles with a pair of well-fitting new shoes. Please always discuss with your Saddle Fitter if you wish to use anything extra with your Saddle as this can seriously jeopardise the future fit if not mentioned at the time of fitting.

Have your own stirrup leathers and girth available. The Saddle Fitter will be carrying girths of various types and sizes but it is a good idea to have your own available (although it may not be the correct type and length for the saddle you are purchasing). Using your own stirrup leathers is usually more comfortable.

Bad weather: if the weather is bad and you do not have access to an indoor area then new Saddles cannot be tried out in the rain where they will get wet and be spoilt.

Southern Star Saddles      Pony Dressage Saddle

©Hilary Vernon