22/02/2025
Saddle fitting is a tough gig. And I really try to avoid it. I'm a qualified saddler, not a saddle fitter. It makes me very happy to know that there are good fitters in my area that I am very happy to work with so that we can give a great team service.
Hold tight everyone, I have my brave pants on this morning and this post could be a smidge controversial and probably too lengthy but stay with me 😬
Here’s my admission… When I was on the road saddle fitting one of the parts of the job that I really hated was selling saddles. To a great extent I would avoid it like the plague. Don’t get me wrong, there was also a huge amount of job satisfaction when you witnessed the difference a new saddle made for someone’s partnership with their horse and I definitely had my opinions on the quality of some brands over others. However, as a saddle fitter you start to recognise when the process of buying a new saddle won’t work or be the magic fix the rider is looking for and that’s not fun.
Let me explain.. as we know there are many *many* elements that go into a correctly fitting saddle. Remember each rider / horse combination is unique. Here are just some of the physical variables:
For the horse : back shape, back width, back length, asymmetry of any sort both static and in movement at all gaits, hoof condition, position of girth groove, age, breed, previous injury…
For the rider : height, weight, length of leg, fitness, previous injuries / ailments, rider ability, rider asymmetry..
Imagine aiming to find a perfect saddle to suit any combination of all of the above and more. Then add to that budget, availability, adaptability “I want a saddle I can use for my next horse or my other horse”, market awareness of a particular brand or what your mate rides in or thinks is good. It’s a minefield.
Then there are two brains we need to look after. For the most part the brain of the horse is decipherable if we look at instinct and what comes naturally to a prey animal. Sometimes soured with the experiences they have had with humans. The human brain though, that’s a lot more complicated. I definitely came to the realisation that as a saddle fitter you need to be across human expectation first and foremost and really understand the partnership (or not) between that particular horse and rider. It’s really really tough.
I have so many fabulous saddle fitting friends and have heard their stories of the challenges trying to help clients. Going above and beyond to help fix things when sometimes just one element doesn’t align (normally the brain bit) and it all goes pear shaped. I have witnessed many having to give refunds on saddles when it’s absolutely not their fault but the expectation of a magic fix isn’t fulfilled.
Something to consider when you employ a saddle fitter : if they are traveling to you with saddles for you to try and the means to adjust your saddle having trained or qualified under a reputable training model (I’m with the Society of Master Saddlers) THEY CARE and they want to try to fix your saddle fitting issues. If they sell you a saddle it’s for the same reason. Of course they make a commission on the sale of the saddle but frankly at times it’s negligible given the outlay for their business. Manufacturers don’t give saddle fitters demo saddles they have to buy them, then there’s insurance, their vehicle, their training and so on.
Ok enough rambling! I might have had too much coffee this morning! 🤣🤔 If you read this to the end – thank you!
Hope everyone is out enjoying time with their horses this weekend.
Photo of my daughter and her pony just because I love these two. We are getting ready for an interschools comp next week. Fingers crossed it won't be the predicted 40 degrees 🥵 this pom cannot cope with that!
Lucy x
I am a fully qualified English Saddler with 30 years experience in manufacture and repair of saddlery
