Throughout her many years of experience as a Master Saddler
and Master Saddle Fitter, Kay Hastilow has been asked innumerable different
questions by horseowners and here she gives brief answers to just some of the
most commonly heard enquiries....
Q. What is the difference between a saddler and
a saddle fitter?
A. A Qualified
saddler is a skilled craftsman who can sit at a bench and make saddles, bridles
or other items of leatherwork. A saddler (referred to in the trade as a bench
saddler) might have absolutely no knowledge of how a saddle should fit,
nor recognise good or bad fit.
A saddle fitter understands how the saddle should fit, will
understand which tree, panel design and girth strap arrangement is needed for
each individual horse and why, and how well the saddle fits for the rider.
However, they might have no bench skills and so not be able to make, nor to
adjust an existing saddle to fit the horse.
The finest saddle fitters have both the skills of a saddler
and a saddle fitter. Ideally, they will also be horsemen and be able to ride,
but this is not always the case.
Q. Why is good saddle
fit important?
A. We need the saddle
to give us security, balance and position and all of this will help the horse
to perform to the best of his ability, be it in competition or out hacking. If his
saddle is uncomfortable (or in some cases downright painful), we shouldn’t be
surprised if our horse is less than enthusiastic or blatantly naughty when we
ride him.
Q. What should we
look for in a good saddle fitter?
A. The Society of Master Saddlers has been training and
assessing saddle fitters to Qualified Saddle Fitter (QSF) qualification since
1995, so has more experience in this field than other qualification awarding
bodies. If the fitter is good, you may well have to wait up to six weeks for a
visit, but he or she will be worth waiting for.
Q. Where can you find
out about good saddle fitters?
A. The Society of Master Saddlers website has all of the
qualified fitters listed by county. There are symbols to show what
qualifications each holds, so that you can see if the fitter is also a
qualified saddler. Whilst there are other fitters, both with or without
qualifications out there, the SMS QSF gives you an assurance that the fitter
knows what is what, and you have the Society to turn to if you have any
problems.
Q. How often should I
get my saddle fitted?
A. It rather depends on the age and breed of your horse and
the work that they are doing. Young horses especially, from being backed at three
to being in a regular routine by the age of six to nine, can change a great
deal in a very short space of time. I have seen horses change by more than a
width fitting in a matter of weeks. For this age group, every three to four months
is ideal. Older horses can change dramatically as well, so four to six months
for them.
A middle-aged horse with a regular stable routine and in
regular work will need checking once every six months, but if the horse has
changes to his routine, such as eventers, hunters, or horses kept in during the
winter but turned out to grass 24/7 in the summer, they will need more regular
visits.
Of course, ANY horse showing discomfort or changes in their
way of going should have the saddle checked as soon as possible.
Q. What should I look
for in a good saddle fit?
Ask the horse! He should not go to the back of the stable
when you walk in with the saddle. The saddle should just slide into place on
the horse’s back and want to stay in the right position. When ridden in, the
saddle should be level so that you do not need to lean forward to maintain your
balance. It should be stable, not lifting or bouncing at the back. There should
be sufficient clearance to the top and sides of the spine right through the
length of the saddle so that there is no pressure from the saddle anywhere in this
area. Note, we do not say 2/3/4 fingers, as this can be very misleading. The
tree of the saddle (shorter than the panel) should not go beyond T18 (the
position of the last rib), although it is okay if the panel extends beyond here
by an inch or so. The panel should be smooth and giving, not hard and lumpy.
There should be an even contact between the saddle and the horse’s back.
Q. How can I tell if
my saddle needs checked?
A. If your horse does not seem happy to be tacked up, or is
not going as freely and as well as normal, this might indicate discomfort. If
you are finding it difficult to sit still or in balance, or you feel as if you
are going to be tipped forward or back, this will indicate that the saddle is
out of balance. Get a friend to film you riding and look to see if you are
riding in a good position, legs in the right place and that you are upright.
It is good practice to measure your horse’s girth each week,
especially when the grass starts coming through, or in the middle of winter. Measure
in centimetres (all weight tapes have this measurement, and it will be the same
whichever tape you use, whereas the weights shown will differ) A gain or loss
of 5 cm. is roughly equivalent to 40 kg. weight change, which can totally alter
the way the saddle is fitting. A 3 cm. change will signify the need to get the
saddle fitter in to check.
Q. What affects
saddle fit?
A. This
could be a long list!
Putting the saddle too far forward.
(My pet bug bear)
Using very thick numnahs or pads with
a saddle fitted using something thinner.
Different girths.
Using different girth straps (say 1
& 2 rather than 1 & 3)
Uneven stirrup leathers.
Weight gain or loss. (time of year)
Change in the type or level of work.
A different rider.
Lameness.
Injury.
Crooked riders.
Riders carrying an injury.
I could go
on…….
Find out
more by visiting Kay Hastilow’s website at www.khsaddlery.co.uk
check out the Educational Films page
and join in the conversation on Facebook