Saddle Fitting & Flocking

A professional saddle fitter can ensure your horse will be comfortable and well balanced. A horse continually has physical changes that should be monitored by a professional saddle fitter. It has been documented that a well fitting saddle will maintain ideal submission, co-operation and improve overall training performance of the rider and the horse.

A professional saddle consultant has been trained to read the body language and physical structure of your horse, to perform the task of properly fitting a saddle.

Julie Weitzel brings her multiple years of experience in the horse business, riding and showing, along with her training in England as an Albion Saddle fitter to offer her clients knowledgeable service.

Albion riders range from Leading International Competitors to the riding club horse owner, are all equally passionate about their horses and constantly striving for improved comfort and performance.

*Body Language indicators that may identify a badly fitting saddle:

*Attitude – Negative Signs

• Difficult to catch
• Easy to brush or rug up but moves away when you approach with saddle
• Resistance to tacking up ie: laying back of ears, attempting to bite, kick or stamp
• Resistance to mounting. Hollowing under rider’s weight
• Refusal to move freely forward on demand
• Resistance to lateral flexion
• Resistance to submission of head carriage
• Refusal to jump

*Physical Observations

• Soft fillings in areas of saddle contact that disappear within a few hours after riding
• Firm fillings that appear semi-permanent
• Localised bruising and inflammation
• Hair loss following deep bruising – following this damage to hair follicles, hair re-grows white
• Ulcerous open wounds

*A badly fitted saddle may

• Inflict pain and cause physical damage
• Negatively influence pace and performance usually by shortening pace, raising head carriage and hollowing back
• Increase resistance to the rider’s influence
• Distract the horse and impede learning

*Solution
If you identify any of the above symptoms we recommend at the earliest reasonable opportunity that you seek a consultation with your approved qualified saddle fitter. In later stages during the assessment the fitter may recommend veterinary advice.

• The saddle fitter can only make a judgement on the horse as presented on the day of fitting
• Changes in condition through management, fitness, maturity etc will affect the saddle fit
• All saddles require regular maintenance and re-evaluation to ensure the fit continues to be beneficial to the horse

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for a saddle fitting, please use the form below and Julie will get back to you as soon as possible.

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