How to prepare for your saddle fitting appointment

Horses (just like people) change shape, so even though your saddle might have fitted when you purchased it regular saddle checks are an important to make sure you always have the perfect fit.

At Saddles Direct, our goal to help you make informed decisions for the health and happiness of your horse. We also have a network of highly reputable and experienced saddle fitters and saddle consultants to help you make the right choice.

As well as what to expect from your saddle fitting, we often get asked if any preparation is required prior to the appointment, so we’ve put together 5 things you can do to prep for your saddle fitting:

5 ways to prepare for your saddle fitting consultation

1. Facilities and Location

It’s important to choose the appropriate location where you and your saddle fitter can take time to focus on the saddle you will be riding. A paddock or indoor arena tend to be the most suitable places where your horse will be comfortable, and you will not be disrupted.

In winter months, if your arena/surface is frozen and you cannot ride for your fitting - your saddle fitter may ask to rearrange your appointment. For you to get the most out of your fitting, your saddle fitter needs to see you ride. Riding on frozen surfaces poses risk of injury for your horse, so please be understanding if you are asked to rearrange for the care of you and your horse.

2. Preparing your horse

Choosing the correct saddle for you and your horse is an important decision to make. To ensure you purchase the correct saddle, your saddle fitter will require you to ride in it to check it fits both of you correctly. Therefore, it’s important that the main rider of the horse is available for the saddle fitting appointment.

3. Dry and Clean Horse

If you horse normally lives outside and tends to be out on the field, prior to your saddle fitting you should try to keep your horse inside the stable or alternatively, you could rug them for the night, so their coat will be nice and dry prior to your appointment.

4. Bring your saddle(s)

Take the saddle you’ve been riding in to the appointment so that your saddle fitter can access what complaints you or your horse currently have. This will help give them an insight into what you will need to help improve the performance of your ride and importantly, your horse’s well-being. If you have any other saddles you think might fit, bring those along too.

5. Bring all your riding accessories

As with every saddle fitting, you will need to bring the correct accessories with you that accompany the saddle you have been riding in. Believe it or not, accessories can influence your riding and the fit of your saddle.

Bring your girth, stirrups, stirrup leathers and your bridle wear with you to the saddle fitting appointment, so that your saddle fitter can access what works or might need altering. Including saddle pads, some have no effect but if you usually ride with a thick, fluffy pad make sure you bring this along - otherwise it might end up too tight.

So now you're all ready for the perfect saddle fitting appointment. We've also put together an article on how to get the most out of your saddle fitting appointment.