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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)
Read more about saddle fitting
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