P.S Farm Equestrian
P.S Farm Equestrian
Qualified Independent Saddlery and Saddle Fitting Services
Qualified Independent Saddlery and Saddle Fitting Services
ESSENTIAL SADDLE FITTING KNOWLEDGE
1. Your saddle, new or second-hand, should be fitted by a MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS. Their first consideration will always be the horse. This may mean that you need to adjust any preconceived ideas you may have about your own preferences in relation to make and design.
1. Your saddle, new or second-hand, should be fitted by a MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS. Their first consideration will always be the horse. This may mean that you need to adjust any preconceived ideas you may have about your own preferences in relation to make and design.
2. If you must use a numnah or gel pad the saddle fitter must be informed at the time of enquiry and always before the saddle is fitted. Adding a numnah under a saddle which fits well is like putting insoles in shoes that fit perfectly without them.
3. Each horse should have its own saddle. Just as a pair of shoes adapts to the wearer's foot, so the saddle adopts the contours of the horse.
4. It may be possible to adjust an existing saddle to fit your new horse - but qualified saddle fitter advice should always be sought.
5. Your horse changes shape regularly. The frequency of change relate to age, training, management etc. Try to develop an eye to recognise change. Viewed on a daily basis, change may seem inconsequential but over a time they can be surprisingly substantial. Have your saddle checked and necessary adjustments made regularly.
6. 'Feed' your saddle carefully. Insufficiently treated leather will dry out. Fed too much, the saddle will be unpleasantly sticky possibly marking your clothes, or worse, cause saddle stitching to rot. Regularity of saddle 'dressing' relates to use, weather and so on.
7. The young horse must be fitted carefully. Their back is 'new' and precious. Take great care to avoid damage that may cause problems later in life. Young horses should never be lunged in any old saddle - it doesn't matter that no-one is going to ride in it.. The young back is particularly vulnerable and a swinging/bouncing saddle that doesn't fit can be the cause of irreversible veterinary problems. Recognise, some young horses develop quickly and the saddle that fitted well only a short time before may need adjustment.
8. The standard general purpose saddle is a compromise and will never fulfil the needs of individual disciplines as well as specifically designed saddles.
9. Even slight unlevelness in gait (especially behind) can cause a saddle to move and exacerbate a problem.
10. Mounting from a mounting block is better for the horse's back and guards against the saddle tree becoming twisted; quite easy to happen if the saddle is regularly used as a lever.
11. When mounting the rider's weight should always be lowered gently into the saddle - never 'thump' or 'bang'.
12. If you insist on mounting from the ground be aware that the stirrup leathers should be changed from side to side regularly to avoid the near-side leather becoming longer/stretched.
13. Saddles should be carefully stored on a well-made saddle horse or rack. Never position saddles where they can be knocked off the rack. Appreciate that lifting a saddle onto a very high rack can damage your own back - and often results in the saddle being stored lopsidedly.
14. Pay attention to the condition of saddle flocking. Irregular/uneven/lumpy flocking cause pressure points that may seriously damage the horse's back. Severe irregularity in flocking can cause the saddle to sit to one side. Correct flocking provides a cushioning effect that helps to reduce trauma. Over stuffed, the saddle will be hard, not adapt to the horse's back and may cause pressure sores or sensitivity.
15. 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.
16. When viewed from the front and rear the saddle gullet must always provide adequate clearance - both before and after the horse is exercised.
17. Most equine insurance can be extended to include theft of tack. Some policies even include accidental damage. Important considerations - but do read the small print 'exclusions' carefully before signing up.
18. It is important to ask the saddler to check any saddle in use when a horse falls. 'Hidden' damage may be substantial - broken/cracked trees can be difficult to detect. Likewise, if the saddle falls from the saddle rack or is dropped it should be checked over by a qualified saddler.
19. The size of the stirrup irons should be checked when a different rider exercises the horse. Irons that are either too small or too large can be the cause of serious accidents.
20. Weak or defective stitching on any part of the saddle should be repaired instantly. Saddles should be checked every time they are used; equal attention should be paid to girths and leathers.
If you do not know if a saddle fitter is SMS qualified and registered you can check by clicking the logo below:
