My Saddle is Adjustable - I Shouldn't Need a Saddle Fitter

Over the last few years adjustable saddles have really come of age and a large percentage of saddles sold these days are adjustable in some way, shape or form.  

Master Saddler and Master Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow looks at the reality around this increasingly discussed question...

 

There are many different methods of adjusting saddles, including tree squeezers, click bits on the tree points and a multitude of adjustable bars, this latter, when done correctly being the most common and successful in my opinion. Surely then this is all you need? Choose the saddle that you like, make sure it’s the right width fitting (easier said than done) and away you go! Where is the problem with this? No need for a saddle fitter and they are always so hard to get hold of anyway. They are always so busy! (I wonder why?) Here are some reasons explaining why fitting your own saddles isn’t such a good idea.

The first problem is that not all adjustable saddles will fit all horses. Some horses, such as but not exclusively, those with high, long withers (think thoroughbreds amongst others) need more support down the front of the tree points, which themselves will need to be longer, therefore needing a longer bar. Conversely, use a tree with long points and a long bar on a cob with a broad back and it is likely that there will be excess pressure either side of the back behind the shoulders. Also, the points may well stick out and catch the rider’s leg as they don’t follow the curved shape of his back. These shaped equines need a shorter bar, preferably more open at the head. In other words it’s more like an upside down U rather than a V.

Using a tree with short points on the more angular high withered horse means that the panel is not supported beyond the point ends. As a result, the saddle is ultimately supported by the rib cage of the horse. Although there is muscle and fascia above the ribs,  muscle works by expanding and contracting but cannot, of itself support weight. This is easy to prove for yourself. Make your thigh muscles as tight and rigid as you can. Press your thumb into it. See? It sinks into the muscle, doesn’t it?  

It's also the case that in high withered horses, the rib cage starts considerably lower down the horse’s sides than in a cob type and the muscle there can no more support the saddle and rider than the muscle in your thigh can support your finger. This is why the currently popular short tree points on many saddles need to be so much narrower than anything that I have fitted for many years. These tree points will put direct pressure through the muscle causing atrophy and scarring. Also, these saddles usually drop onto the wither so several pads are needed to get clearance. Err… close contact so that you can feel the horse – with loads of pads? This doesn’t equate for me but perhaps you see it differently?

Having decided on the type of saddle that you think will suit your horse, what width bar do you need? You might take a guess and you might be right but in my experience the more common problem is that too wide a bar is used. Thinking that wider is better for the horse is so totally wrong, as Russell Mackechnie-Guire’s work undertaken for The Society of Master Saddlers has proved. A bar that is too wide just causes all the weight to concentrate under the front third of the saddle, resulting in huge areas of excess pressure, often leading to white hairs, if not open saddle sores, behind the shoulders as well as restricting the movement of the horse. No, the muscle will not develop here if you allow space for it. The excess pressures will in fact cause the opposite effect, as many have found to their cost.

Having seen the importance of the length of the tree points, you now feel able to order the right saddle. He’s a thoroughbred so long tree points. Check. But hold on a minute? Is his back level or is he a bit uphill or downhill? Does he change when ridden? This will dictate the depth of rear gusset that he needs, so now you will at least need a friend to film you riding to see this - but hold on! Horses don’t always go the same in one saddle as another, so might be different in the adjustable saddle that you are going to buy….  Have to take a guess then.

This is the same in reverse for cobs. You might well need little to no rear gusset or a fairly deep one. Suddenly this isn’t looking just so easy is it?

Tree shape is next. Flat in the back or curvy? Something in-between? Tree types for each, both with long and short points. Mmm.

What about girth straps? Well everyone knows that you use the first and third don’t they? Not necessarily so with adjustable saddles. Many have several strap positions so that the saddle fitter can find the optimum girthing arrangement for you and your horse. With many, the first strap is attached to the tree points, a point strap. This is to help position the girth straps vertically with a forward girth groove. In this case a point strap is a preferred option, as otherwise, the saddle moving forward onto the shoulders will restrict movement and be uncomfortable for the horse. However, if the point strap isn’t needed, using it will tend to hold the saddle too far back and is likely to pull the front of the saddle too low on the withers.

For saddles with five strap position options the equivalent of 1 and 3 is 2 and 3. The fittings that you can fit straps to at the back are for when point straps are being used to prevent the back of the saddle lifting, or where an active horse tends to bounce the saddle at the back (so long as the front is fitted correctly and isn’t too wide). Another use is to help keep the saddle straight when either the horse’s action or an unbalanced rider tends to take the saddle over to one side. This usually calls for slight and skilful flocking adjustment as well, not something that the owner should be trying.   

Talking of flocking adjustment, this is one of the things that saddle fitters will usually have to do when fitting even an adjustable, as often the saddle will need a touch of wool here or there so as to get the balance, contact and straightness correct. Those who have had the misfortune to see a badly flocked and lumpy saddle will realise that it’s very easy to get flocking very wrong.

It is because a saddle fitter will be aware of all of the questions above plus many others and have answers to these that it is still necessary to have your saddle professionally fitted. One of the leading manufacturers of adjustable saddles will only sell through qualified saddle fitters so that their end user will get the very best out of their saddles.  And you know how busy saddle fitters are? Much of our work is sorting things out when someone has gone the DIY route. Often this has caused the horse pain or discomfort and often the saddle has to be replaced as you have bought something unsuitable. This can become a very expensive cost cutting exercise!

Like many riders and trainers, you've probably thought at some point that understanding more about saddles and saddle fitting would have the potential to help you improve your horse's comfort, performance and also long-term soundness - and not only are you right, you can now do that online, whenever and wherever fits into your busy lifestyle.

With online learning and training now much  more familiar to us all, Kay's highly acclaimed and informative 2-part video series continues to sell around the world since its launch in 2019. Aptly titled Saddle Fitting Know How - For Riders and Trainers, the two videos distil her 50 years of experience into over an hour of what is an unrivalled go-to resource for all Riders and Trainers interested in saddles and saddle fitting. They contain a wealth of information that will be of practical relevance to everyone serious about improving their riding, competing with more success or at a higher level and for those whose career is focused on training riders to develop their horses correctly.
Watch a brief trailer and buy securely online for unlimited streaming or downloading to your device at
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/saddlefittingknowhow

If you are working as a saddle fitter or in training for a career in saddle fitting, Kay's 8-part video series titled Fitting Saddles: The Essential Guide will support your learning and help you develop a more in-depth knowledge of the subject and include invaluable insights into running a successful business as an SMS qualified saddle fitter.

Watch a trailer and invest in one or more of the series that together form a definitive resource to enhance your understanding of saddles and saddle fitting.
Buy securely online for unlimited streaming or downloading to your device at
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fittingsaddles

 

Every Young Horse's First Saddle MUST Always Fit Correctly

“I’m not going to get my young horse’s saddle fitted yet as he will change shape so quickly.”

Add to this “ I need an old saddle to back my youngster. Doesn’t matter what.”

I have been asked many times to provide the latter and regularly hear the former statement ...... 

confirms author Kay Hastilow, Master Saddler and Master Saddle Fitter (pictured above).

HONESTLY?

The most important saddle that you ever put on your horse’s back is the first one – this will tell him from the start that; ‘this is nothing to be frightened of. It won’t hurt you’ or ‘this may well hurt but you are just going to have to learn to cope with it.’ Surely, if we want and expect our horses to be biddable, have manners and, in the future give generously of their spirit so that we can achieve our aims, then the least we can do is to start them in a comfortable saddle.

With the wide variety of adjustable saddles available these days you lessen the risk of the horse rapidly growing out of it one way or the other. Something like a Thorowgood T4 really isn’t very expensive, is pretty tough, is adjustable, comes in different tree shapes so that the saddle fitter can choose the correct one for your horse’s conformation, and they fit well. I have been told that a saddle to back a horse ‘doesn’t matter if the tree is broken as he might roll on it anyway.’ 

Now, I have backed a fair few horses in my time and have watched many others start horses and I have never yet seen a horse that has been started quietly and patiently do this. Horses with a problem that have come to be ‘sorted’ or ‘re- backed’ yes, but never one bought on quietly, and if that is the situation one might ask why he is like that. Don’t think that putting several pads under the saddle will make it okay. All this does is to make the saddle unstable and as one of the the hardest thing for a young horse is to learn to balance himself with you on top it won’t help if the saddle moves around on his back.

You see that I mentioned the saddle fitter there.  Yes, even just to back the horse get the fitter in. Of course, they will not be able to see the horse ridden in it at this point, but they will be able to select the right tree shape and width fitting for you, plus carefully and gently place it on his back so that they can tell you which girth straps would be best to use. Many will also supply a bar one fitting wider and one narrower than they have fitted into the saddle. They will also show you how to check the bar width as he starts in ridden work. It is at that point that the fitter should return and check that everything is correct and that the saddle is comfortable, which should be done once he is walking around the school ridden. It is a check that doesn’t want to be delayed as so much can happen during this short time. Once the horse is working under saddle happily at trot on both reins, check again.

If you intend to keep him in work (many people back and ride away, then turn the horse away again for another few months), then get the saddle checked about every three to four months ideally, as changes will be considerable and rapid. If your fitter suggests sooner than this, they are expecting a lot of change in a short period of time and want to keep the horse right. Please listen to them – they have the interests of you and your horse in mind.

If you turn him away for a length of time after backing, then remember to get the saddle checked before starting him again. A lot can happen with a young horse in a few months.

Once your youngster is in regular work you may want to get a saddle that is more suited to your chosen path – more jumping orientated or more for flatwork. That’s fine but please stay with well-designed adjustable saddles, as few horses are really mature before the age of seven and some, especially warmbloods may well be nine or 10 before they finish growing. A nice, adjustable leather saddle will be just right for them through that time and, in all honesty is probably a good bet for the lifetime of your horse, as it is so much easier for your fitter to keep the fit spot on and you and your horse comfortable. It’s just good horsemanship. 

Understanding more about saddles and saddle fitting has the potential to help you improve your horse's comfort, performance and also long-term soundness - and you can now do that whenever fits into your busy lifestyle.

With online learning and training credibly established as 'the new normal', Kay's highly acclaimed and informative 2-part video series continues to sell around the world since its launch in 2019. Aptly titled Saddle Fitting Know How - For Riders and Trainers, the two videos distil her 50 years of experience into over an hour of what is an unrivalled go-to resource for all Riders and Trainers interested in saddles and saddle fitting. They contain a wealth of information that will be of practical relevance to everyone serious about improving their riding, competing with more success or at a higher level and for those whose career is focused on training riders to develop their horses correctly.
Watch a brief trailer and buy securely online for unlimited streaming or downloading to your device at
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/saddlefittingknowhow

 

If you are working as a saddle fitter or in training for a career in saddle fitting, Kay's 8-part video series titled Fitting Saddles: The Essential Guide will support your learning and help you develop a more in-depth knowledge of the subject and include invaluable insights into running a successful business as an SMS qualified saddle fitter.

Watch a trailer and invest in one or more of the series that together form a definitive resource to enhance your understanding of saddles and saddle fitting.
Buy securely online for unlimited streaming or downloading to your device at
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fittingsaddles

 

The Greatest Kindness You Can Do For Any Horse ...

Much of my work as a saddle fitter has involved handling clients’ horses or ponies. When saddle fitting, it is essential to get ‘up close and personal’ as you check their conformation, muscle development, assess for lumps and bumps, tightness, guarding, swellings and sores. Ideally, you will stand behind the animal to check the symmetry of the shoulders, rib cage and the muscle development in the saddle area. All of this requires the horse to stand still and accept this stranger handling them and working around them.

Over the years I, and no doubt most other equine professionals, have developed the knack of quickly building a relationship with the horse, assuring them that I have no intention of causing them harm. However, it is often the case that the owner does not have a good working relationship with their horse, and this can show itself as the horse having no respect of the owner, having very poor manners or sometimes, sadly, the horse is totally in charge and terrorises their human. This lack of manners and respect means that it becomes difficult, if not impossible for us to do our job. We have to spend a great deal of time establishing some ground rules so that we can work safely, and sometimes this is near impossible. We often risk injury, just because the horse is so poorly trained.

I have been lucky, in that only once was I hurt. A pony that I was trying to get to know swung round, knocked me clean off my feet and kicked me as I went down., ‘Oh’ said the owner. ‘She must think you are a vet. She loathes the vet.’ Thanks for the warning! Luckily my leg was not broken but I had an enormous bruise, and I couldn’t drive home for over an hour. I had to cancel my other appointments for that day and the rest of the week, which really isn’t funny when you are self-employed.

I digress. It is surprising how, in many cases I can get the horse to behave itself quite quickly.  No massive ‘sorting out’ – that’s not my way, and it rarely leads to a happy conclusion. I want the animal to respect me, not be frightened of me. Simple things like looking it in the eye and saying, ‘not with me pal.’ Seem to work well. It is often much easier if the owner leaves us for a few minutes, as the nervous vibes really get to the horse. It’s essential that the fitter is calm and unhurried. Our shoulders must be soft and lowered. Horses may not speak words, but they sure know body language!

I’m going to ask a question here. Do you think that its right that we, the equine professionals, have to teach the horse manners? That we have to make it stand still and be handled safely? That someone coming to see your horse has to risk injury to carry out their work? Of course it’s not, but how can we change this?

Education would be a great help, as some owners seem to have come into horse ownership by routes that have meant they have had little to do with horses other than to ride them. Suddenly, they are left alone with this huge beast that looks them over and decides who stands where in the pecking order. If you don’t speak ‘horse’ you could be in for a baptism of fire.

The Pony Club does a great job in teaching many aspects of horsemanship, but often it is the parent who has caught the pony, washed or groomed it and prepared it for the rally or competition. This teaches the child nothing about communication and mutual respect, and ponies really can be terrific teachers with this.

Sadly, not everyone gets to have ponies and go to the Pony Club, many getting their first equine when an adult. Not everyone can afford full livery, and many don’t have a regular trainer, so expert advice and guidance isn’t to hand. What is often available is a huge amount of ‘expert’ advice from all and sundry and sorting the wheat from the chaff can be difficult. This can range from ‘I’ve seen Monty Roberts, and you just give them lots of love and cuddles and they will do anything for you.’ (this isn’t what Monty says by the way, but it’s often interpreted as such) or ‘give it a good thrashing, as it has to learn to respect you.’ Neither will work and you will be left confused, possibly frightened, and with a horse that doesn’t know if it’s coming or going.

I’m not going to tell you how to teach your horse manners – that’s a professional’s job, although everyone I speak to seems to agree that training consists of calmness around the animal, consistency in your commands, repetition and reward – a ‘well done and a pat’, not lots of treats.

Don’t be frightened to ask for help. Watch the professionals around you and, when you find one who’s methods you like and whose horses are a joy to be with, ask for lessons on horse handling. Building a sound relationship on the ground is a great base to build on for your riding with said animal after all. Then you can be proud as the horse stands quietly for the farrier/ saddle fitter/ physio or whoever, and they will be more than grateful.

A quote from Tom Roberts, that I’m happy to share here.

If you are fond of a horse and wish to do him a favour – train him well. Teach him good manners, good habits, both in the stable & under saddle. You never need worry about the future of such a horse if for any reason you may have to part with him. You assure him of friends wherever he goes. Perhaps the greatest kindness you can do any horse is to educate him well.

Tom Roberts. The young horse.

Like many riders and trainers, you've probably thought at some point that understanding more about saddles and saddle fitting would have the potential to help you improve your horse's comfort, performance and also long-term soundness - and not only are you right, you can now do that online, whenever and wherever fits into your busy lifestyle.

With online learning and training now much  more familiar to us all, Kay's highly acclaimed and informative 2-part video series continues to sell around the world since its launch in 2019. Aptly titled Saddle Fitting Know How - For Riders and Trainers, the two videos distil her 50 years of experience into over an hour of what is an unrivalled go-to resource for all Riders and Trainers interested in saddles and saddle fitting. They contain a wealth of information that will be of practical relevance to everyone serious about improving their riding, competing with more success or at a higher level and for those whose career is focused on training riders to develop their horses correctly.
Watch a brief trailer and buy securely online for unlimited streaming or downloading to your device at
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/saddlefittingknowhow

If you are working as a saddle fitter or in training for a career in saddle fitting, Kay's 8-part video series titled Fitting Saddles: The Essential Guide will support your learning and help you develop a more in-depth knowledge of the subject and include invaluable insights into running a successful business as an SMS qualified saddle fitter.

Watch a trailer and invest in one or more of the series that together form a definitive resource to enhance your understanding of saddles and saddle fitting.
Buy securely online for unlimited streaming or downloading to your device at
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fittingsaddles