Authorized Saddle Fitter & Representative of:
Custom Saddlery * Aviar Saddlery * DP Saddlery
Generally, horses want to fulfill our requests and work hard for us. It is important to your horse that his saddle doesn't cause pain while he is trying to do his job. If your horse isn't standing quietly while being saddled, there could be a problem caused by your saddle. Watch for behaviors indicating discomfort from the saddle – pinned ears when you approach with the saddle, hollowed back, kicking and/or biting at the saddle (or worse - YOU), unwilling to stand quietly at a halt, bucking, refusing to move, or running off. What is your horse trying to communicate to you?
Not only does the saddle need to fit the horse well for his comfort, it is equally important that the rider is fitted with a saddle that enables him or her to effortlessly sit in balance. Does the saddle move around while riding? Do you feel pressure on your pubic bone or the back of your hip bones? Does your back bother you after riding for short periods of time? Does your trainer ask you to move your legs back over and over again - yet you just can't seem to physically move your legs to the correct positon or maintain them there? Are you uncomfortable and constantly struggling to feel centered in the saddle? These imbalances will impact how well the horse is able to perform your requests and can even cause injuries from compensating for unbalanced movement, weight load, and/or pain. Correct saddle fit to the rider is of equal importance as it is the fit of the horse.
I am a saddle fitter working in Oregon, and am based in the Bend/Redmond area. I am available for appointments at your barn to evaluate your saddle, how it fits you and your horse, make needed adjustments or to advise you with new saddle purchases. While I represent Custom Saddlery and DP Saddlery Saddlery, I do evaluate and work on all brands of English and western saddles.
Not only does the saddle need to fit the horse well for his comfort, it is equally important that the rider is fitted with a saddle that enables him or her to effortlessly sit in balance. Does the saddle move around while riding? Do you feel pressure on your pubic bone or the back of your hip bones? Does your back bother you after riding for short periods of time? Does your trainer ask you to move your legs back over and over again - yet you just can't seem to physically move your legs to the correct positon or maintain them there? Are you uncomfortable and constantly struggling to feel centered in the saddle? These imbalances will impact how well the horse is able to perform your requests and can even cause injuries from compensating for unbalanced movement, weight load, and/or pain. Correct saddle fit to the rider is of equal importance as it is the fit of the horse.
I am a saddle fitter working in Oregon, and am based in the Bend/Redmond area. I am available for appointments at your barn to evaluate your saddle, how it fits you and your horse, make needed adjustments or to advise you with new saddle purchases. While I represent Custom Saddlery and DP Saddlery Saddlery, I do evaluate and work on all brands of English and western saddles.
