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English Saddle Information and Facts
FAQ’s about Saddles
Q How do I know if my saddle fits?
A Older saddles can change over time particularly those with wool flocked panels. In a used saddle the wool has compressed to fit the shape of the back of it’s previous owner. If the conformation of your horse is different you may sustain some rubbing, pinching or uneven pressure points resulting in the need to have a qualified saddler restuff your panels. Horses also change shapes with the seasons depending on the amount of work and conditioning. Common symptoms that signal problems with saddle fit include the following: Raising the head as if to evade the bit. Many people mistake this as a mouth problem. Hollowing the back is usually accompanied by raising the head and is done to lessen the pressure on the back. Difficulty mounting signals that the horse wants to avoid the pain caused by the excess pressure on the near side when the rider mounts. Crow hop or buck when asked for the canter or lope. This is usually a problem over the withers: either too wide a saddle that rests too low on the spine and withers or too narrow a saddle that digs into the shoulder just below the withers. Cantering make this hurt more in either or both these places than does the walk or trot. Crow hop or buck when coming off a jump. This is particularly true for beginners or unbalanced riders. The riders weight is thrown forward onto a too narrow fork or slammed down hard on a seat that is the wrong shape for the horse’s back resulting in lot of pain from the ill fitting saddle. Refusal at jumps, even low jumps and cross rails. Anticipation of the saddle pain at the landing can make even a well trained jumper hesitate or refuse. Difficulty or resistance turning or bending. Again this causes pain and the horse is trying to avoid it. Since these disobedience’s can also be symptoms of other problems, some comprehensive detective work is necessary. Here is what you should do. A thorough exam by your vet is in order. Even if you see no obvious lameness you may have painful or sensitive joints, soft tissue injuries, dental problems, sight problems, ear problems, sore back or a host of other ailments that are not obvious to the untrained eye. Even if you ask a trainer or other professional their opinion it’s still just a guess and getting a vet exam early on can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Your vet will probably find the true cause of the problem and direct you to your next course of action. It could be a good farrier, an equine dentist or equine massage therapist, chiropractor or professional saddle fitter. The vet should decide.
Q Can I fit the saddle myself?
A Yes, but if you are asking the question then you probably shouldn’t. Stop on by and we can show you the proper way to fit your saddle.
Q Will you fit a saddle I bought from you?
A We will refer you to our list of qualified saddle fitters.
Q Will you come and fit a saddle I had for a different horse or that I bought from another dealer?
A We will refer you to our list of qualified saddle fitters.
Q Where can I get my saddle restuffed?
A There are several people locally and around the country that are able to help you with your saddle. Call the store and we will give you names and phone numbers.
Q If the tree of the saddle is too wide or too narrow for my horse can it be changed?
A A few brands of saddles can be adjusted by factory trained saddlers. Many can not. Call the store for the names of the appropriate people.
Q I have several horses and they all look different. Is there one saddle that will fit them all?
A There are several brands of "adjustable" saddles on the market. Our experience has shown the Bates and the Wintec brands with removable/interchangeable gullets to be the best choice in this type of situation. Call for a brochure or stop by the store to see how this system can work for you.
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