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YOU WILL NEED:
Your horse
Level ground
Camera
Saddle (your current saddle or a trial saddle from EQUESTRIAN IMPORTS, INC)
Flexible curve at least 16” in length (This is an architect's flexible ruler. You can purchase one from an office supply or craft store or from the Accessories page of this website.)
8.5” x 14” piece of paper
Felt tip pen
Ruler
FOLLOW THESE 6 STEPS:
STEP 1
Stand your horse straight and square on level ground. Take two photographs of your horse standing as shown in the picture directly below. In the first photograph show your horse without a saddle. For the second photograph, put on the saddle without a pad and girth it up as if you were going to ride. Then remove the saddle and proceed to step 2.
STEP 2
Facing the left side of the horse, locate the horse’s shoulder blade (scapula). This will be your point of reference. Place the flexible curve on your horse’s withers, 1” behind the scapula. You are trying to simulate where the saddle tree would sit on your horse’s back, so it is essential that the flexible curve be placed behind the shoulder muscle in order to allow for complete range of motion of the shoulder.
STEP 3
Carefully mold the flexible curve as close as possible to the contour of your horse’s withers. The flexible curve should lie directly on your horse’s withers without applying pressure. Depressing the flexible curve into the horse’s muscle will yield inaccurate results.
STEP 4
Center the molded flexible curve horizontally on an 8.5” x 14” piece of paper. Trace the inside of the flexible curve.
STEP 5
If you would like an evaluation by our professional saddle fitter, label the wither tracing with the following details:
Rider’s Name
Horse’s Name
Breed of Horse
Age of Horse
Riding Discipline
Level of Training
Rider’s Height
Rider’s Weight
Daytime Phone Number
E-Mail Address
STEP 6
Make a mark at the top of the curve. With a ruler, measure down 17.5cm and make a mark on each side of the curve. Draw diagonal lines from the top of the curve to the marks on each side. Then draw a horizontal line to connect the marks on the sides of the curve. Measure the horizontal line as precisely and accurately as possible and write the measurement above the line.
IMPORTANT: To ensure accuracy, your tracing must be submitted in its entirety on a single sheet of paper. We cannot evaluate tracings that require assembly or that have been reduced in size.
STEP 7
If you cannot transmit the photographs electronically, mail them with your wither tracing to:
EQUESTRIAN IMPORTS, Inc.
1601 Bern Creek Loop
Sarasota, FL 34240
Otherwise, e-mail the photographs to equimp@yahoo.com and fax your wither tracing to (941) 377-6237
We will contact you promptly to discuss the results of your tracing and to suggest potential saddle matches. You will be charged an Online Consultation fee of $95.00, which will be refunded if you purchase or rent a saddle from us.
EXAMPLES OF SADDLE FIT:
This saddle fits the horse correctly. It sits perfectly level behind the horse’s scapula, allowing the shoulder a full range of motion, with the girth positioned a hand’s width from the elbow.
This saddle is too narrow for the horse. It is sitting too high in the pommel (front) and too low in the cantle (rear). This improper fit results in the rider’s legs swinging out in front of the rider’s point of balance. It causes pressure points under the rear panel, affecting the weakest part of the horse’s back. “Bridging” is a common condition created by uneven distribution of weight and contact through the middle (waist) of the panel (padded area underneath the saddle that lies on the horse). There is too much pressure under the pommel and cantle and a gap where contact is interrupted through the middle. Lameness or behavioral problems in the horse may occur after repeated use of a saddle that is too narrow.
This saddle is too wide for the horse. It is sitting too low in the pommel (front) and coming off the horse’s back at the cantle (rear). This improper fit results in the rider’s legs swinging back behind the rider’s point of balance. It creates too much pressure from the front to the middle (waist) of the saddle. A “rocking” effect may result due to the uneven distribution of contact front to rear. Your horse will most likely become intolerant of the continuous shock his back will absorb from the unstable rear panels of a saddle that is too wide.
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