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02/25/09 |
             
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Saddle Fitting Guide
i) Why do you need a saddle fitted? A saddle is an expensive item to buy, but the need to have a saddle fitted is not only about expense, it is about the comfort of both you and your horse or pony. It is much easier to ride in the correct position and give the correct aids when the saddle helps to sit you in the best possible position. Your horse or pony will tend to move more freely with a saddle that fits well and does not rock, move or pinch, as these can cause pain and trauma to the sensitive muscles around the spine. ii) What could happen if I have a poorly fitting saddle? If your saddle is too tight or narrow, it can pinch your horse and make it very sore (think how uncomfortable it is for you if you wear an extra thick pair of socks with your usual shoes) and can cause permanent muscular damage. It will also likely place the rider behind the point of balance. If the saddle is too wide it can rock backwards and forwards and put too much pressure directly onto the scapula. It can also place the rider in front of the point of balance. Both of these problems are not only very uncomfortable for both the horse and rider, but can cause serious problems such as bucking, rearing and can also cause difficulty saddling up. iii) Will my saddle need checking from time to time? Yes, your saddle will need to be checked from time to time, to make sure that your horse or pony has not dramatically changed shape, but usually all that is required is a top-up of the wool flocking. Fusion Saddles recommends that the first saddle check is carried out 6-8 weeks after purchase and then annually after the initial visit.
Steps 1-10 below show you how to take an accurate template of your horses back. These are a good guide to either fax or scan and email to your saddler prior to a fitting, as they will reduce the number of saddles your saddle fitter will have to take with them. Alternatively, if you are an experienced horseman/woman yourself, or you have a local saddle fitter who is happy to check the fit with you, a saddle can be sent out to you that is likely to be a good fit. 1)Place the centre of the flexicurve across the spine of your horse or pony, where the front of the saddle sits. This should be approximately 1"-2” behind the shoulder. See pics below
2)Very carefully remove the flexicurve from the horse taking care not to bend it out of shape and then draw just below the flexicurve for measurement 1. See pic below
3)Replace the flexicurve on your horses back, approximately 4” (1 hand) further along the spine and repeat the procedure procedure for measurement 2. See pics below
4)Repeat step 2 another two times for measurements 3 and 4. See pics below
5)Place the flexicurve along the length of your horses back for the contour and then copy onto paper. See pics below
6) Place the saddle you would like to try onto your horses back and check the clearance at the front arch (you need approximately 3 fingers clearance, but this is just a basic guide, as different panels and styles of saddles fit differently). You must take care not to cause restriction either around the shoulders or the trapezius muscle. See pic below
7) Check that the bottom panels of the saddle lay level along the contours of the horses back. See pic below
8) Check the location of the horses last rib to ensure that the saddle length does not carry on further than the horses last rib. See pic below
9) If you are happy with all of the above steps, it is now time to saddle up and check the fit of the saddle with the rider on board. See pics below.
10) Finally commence riding at all paces and if required over fences.
11) Once the saddle fitter is happy with the fit of the saddle for both you and your horse at all paces, he or she will then fill out a detailed saddle fitting form, which is a handy record to keep for future reference, as it will give an indication of the physiological and skeletal confirmation of your horse at the time of the fitting and an accurate record of how much their fitness and development improves over time. Your saddle fitter may also recommend visits from equine chiropractors and physiotherapists if they think that this is required. See example below.
This saddle fitting guide is purely a brief guide and Fusion Saddles recommends that you should always engage the services of an experienced saddle fitter, as saddles are an expensive investment that you need to get right, not only financially, but also so that you and you horse can ride together in comfort and harmony. Contact us to arrange a fitting, or enquire about where your nearest stockists of Fusion Saddles are located.
Email: fusionsaddles@aol.com Or you can call either 0845 6520013 or 07850 209368
This site was last updated 02/25/09 |
