What should you expect from your saddle fitter?

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Karen Spinner

21 January, 2011

Learn more about saddle fitting

Your qualified saddle fitter should:

Display the SMS badge (if approved by the society)
Obtain as many details as possible before the fitting
Stand the horse up square to assess his conformation and back before watching him walk and trot in-hand
Refuse to fit the horse if he appears lame
Watch the horse in action, including over jumps if necessary
Take detailed notes of your horse and his conformation to see how his shape and requirements change over time
Complete a fitting form before selling you a saddle

What your saddle fitter should expect from you:

To know as many details about your horse as possible before the fitting. These include body type, workload, fitness and any problems he has had
To know as many details about the rider(s) as possible
To see your horse on a flat, hard surface where he can be assessed and shown in-hand
To watch your horse work, over jumps if necessary, in a level and well-lit school
To have the main rider present and wearing jodhpurs, boots and an approved riding hat
For you to have brought along your own numnah, pad, stirrup leathers, irons and girths
For your horse to be all ready for the assessment and not evading capture in the field!

For the full feature on saddle fitting, see the current issue of Horse & hound (20 January, 2011)

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