AE Saddle Fit
AE SADDLE FIT
More information coming soon…
Saddle Fitting
WHY fit a saddle?
We fit a saddle to an individual horse and rider beacause you and your horse are individuals! Neither of you were made from the same mold or move and ride in the same way as your horse’s pasture buddy or your riding friend or trainer. A well fit saddle allows horse and rider to develop a strong body and dynamic movement through correct training. The fit of your saddle should be checked at least every 12 months or more frequently when changes in the horse’s body condition, behavior, training, saddle condition or rider comfort are observed. Often owners choose to have saddle fit assessed twice a year. Combined with a regular vet, farrier, dental, nutrition and alternative therapy program, saddle fitting is an important aspect of horse care enabling you and your horse to enjoy riding well into your senior years.
Do you and your horse fit into one of the top 3 common scenarios I hear too often?
The Difficult to Ride Scenario
“This mare is just difficult to ride … always going around like a giraffe with her head in the air, rushing her gaits and stiff as a 2×4. She just won’t relax! She’s on a regular farrier schedule and dental program, had lameness exams, she is maintained on joint injections and supplements and is ridden 5 times a week. She just is what she is.”
The Jerk Scenario
“My horse is just a jerk! Pinning his ears or biting at me when I saddle or girth him, refusing to go to the mounting block or walk away from the mounting block after I’ve mounted. Sometimes he even bucks or refuses to go forward into another gait when I ask him to do anything other than walk. And it can happen out of the blue…one minute or one ride everything is fine and next thing I know I’m riding a bronc!”
And the scenario I find most troubling …
The “My saddle fits every horse” Scenario
“Why do I need a saddle fitting? My saddle fits fine, I’ve had it for 15+ years. It’s so comfortable, the horse doesn’t complain, and the saddle fits every horse I ride!”
… most troubling because no single saddle fits every horse and rider. Often when the saddle doesn’t fit in this scenario the horse remains stoic showing no extremely noticeable outward signs of pain or discomfort. It is not in a horse’s nature to show signs of pain or weakness and he will therefore alter his movement and behavior to protect himself. A horse who has resigned himself to a life of discomfort has often lost the “spark”in his eye, the jaunt in his step, and the zest for life horses have when they enjoy their job and spending time with their rider.
WHAT to expect during a saddle fitting.
For a new client appointment with one horse, saddle and rider I ask that you allow 2.5 hours for your saddle fitting appointment and be prepared to ride. The appointment will include:
- Discussion of horse and rider history, current activity and concerns
- Static and in-hand horse body assessment
- Static saddle assessment
- Ridden dynamic saddle assessment
- Pad and/or flock adjustments
- Recheck of ridden dynamic fit after adjustments
- Written record of appointment
- Tracings and reference pictures
- Discussion of saddle maintenance and suggested frequency of fittings and repair
If I find your saddle does not fit your horse, I will explain the reasons as to why it does not fit sharing with you features of a saddle that would be more appropriate. I also carry some saddles, girths and accessories to trial during the fitting when a better fit is desired. Purchase and rental options are available as well as assistance searching for saddles or collecting specific information for a saddle you need to order.
Bodywork
More information coming soon…
Scheduling
WHERE do you travel to serve clients?
My base for business is in northeastern PA but I currently travel to serve clients in the states of CT, MA,
southern NH, RI, and southern VT. Should you be in a different state please contact me and we can
discuss appointment options for your location. You may be on a travel route to or from another client or
may have enough clients in your barn to schedule a trip. There may also be an option to haul-in to a
barn at which I already have clients.
WHEN do you travel to serve clients?
Saddle fitting appointments are scheduled for the months of April through November. Generally, I make
trips to the New England states in Spring (April/May) and Fall (October/November) with PA and nearby
locations scheduled throughout the fitting season. Please contact me as soon as you think about
needing an appointment. Based on distance I require a minimum number of clients to make a fitting trip
and often achieve this by scheduling multiple barns per trip. This means I may have waiting lists for
appointments and your call may be the one more we need to make the trip for you and a larger group of
clients. While I’m usually six weeks out in scheduling, depending on your location and my travel
schedule there may be time available on an upcoming trip rather than having to wait. So, again, please
reach out to me as soon as you think about needing an appointment.
HOW do I schedule a fitting?
Should you like to schedule a fitting or have questions please send a text message or email to:
(570)709-1212 or AESaddleFit@outlook.com. If you choose to call and leave a voicemail, please know that I do not always receive my voicemail messages and ask that you also send a text message.
I do my best to respond to messages within 3 business days. On the rare occasion your message is gobbled up by the cyber trolls before I receive it, or I lose track of a message please feel free to reach out to me again if you have not received a response.
Saddle Repair
More information coming soon…