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

 

 

Elephant In The Room. An Update

 In the three years since I wrote a piece in my blog spot on overweight riders many things have changed. Social licence to ride our horses has become a really big thing, many believing that it is unacceptable to ride at all. Welfare, which should always have been at the forefront in all that we do has become more spoken about, but I might venture that in many cases, it’s not so much in evidence.

Before I go further can I put on record that yes, I’m reasonably slim, that yes, I have been  overweight and yes, it’s really hard trying to shift the weight. I am not without sympathy or understanding for those with these problems.

So, in this post I speak of riders with horses that are too small or light boned for them. All too often we are asked to fit a thoroughbred, or similar type of sport horse with a saddle to “go eventing/ show jumping/showing (hunter type classes, for my American friends)”. The rider may or not admit to their correct weight, and yes, I am aware that there are many factors that can cause problems, but often it is in excess of 110kg – 242lbs.  The horse, at 500kg and using the 20% scale can carry, say 100kg –INCLUDING saddle, bridle, stirrups, girth, saddle cloth, your boots, hat and clothing. I suggest that everyone spends a bit of time to weigh this lot – it will be far more than you expect. Add to this that the 20% guidance is for the horse at its optimal weight, and so, with an overweight horse many kilos will be deducted.

Have we have got to a stage, bearing in mind the social licence and welfare considerations, where saddles should not be fitted to these horses as this will facilitate the rider being able to work them? I have walked away from a decent saddle sale because the rider was, in my opinion some 35kg too heavy for the horse . That’s 5 ½ stone or 77lbs!  Believe me, that was a difficult thing to do. I would have liked to make a nice sale and see the horse in a well-fitting saddle. I also have no doubt at all that the client was upset and hurt. How on earth can you say this without upsetting them? In this case it was the right thing to do, and it really is what all equestrian professionals should be doing. However, it is still ‘the elephant in the room’, meaning that we all know that it’s there, and a problem, but no one is prepared to address it.

Unfortunately, many who do try to compete when too heavy for their horse might be in for a shock this year. Certainly, in the UK and if not in place yet, soon to follow in other equestrian nations where this is a problem, people are being turned away from the competition. Many show classes have scales at the gate and have a maximum weight for each class. If you exceed it, you will be asked to leave. In dressage and, I believe eventingc the judges have a right to eliminate a rider if they consider their weight excessive for that horse. Surely other disciplines are the same or will follow. Endurance? Showjumping?

Whilst honestly full of sympathy for those who struggle with their weight, we just can’t allow this abuse of our animals to continue.

Let me leave you with this thought...

If you walked into a barn and saw someone beating a horse and, as you got level with them the whip broke, then the person asked you to give them another nearby whip so that they could continue as ‘he needs this to keep him in line’, would you give them the second whip? I suspect not. However, by ignoring or ‘not seeing’ the under horsed rider and walking on by, how much pain and injury will that horse suffer? Sadly, a great deal. It could well be broken beyond fixing. Why is this thought by some to be acceptable?

I’ll re-publish my original blog post about overweight riders when I have finished some planned edits to it and include a reminder of the formula I first shared in 2022 that can reliably help work out how much weight a horse can safely carry. In the interests of horse welfare and the growing awareness of the importance of our social licence, this is a subject for which all of us need to take responsibility.

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