Does your saddle HURT your horse? The signs that you need a saddle fitter!

[@Audgal]

“Does he pin his ears?” Rocky proceeds to be determined to find out how many licks it takes to get to the middle of the wall 😀

[@yaysunny]

this was so informative thank you! i've always heard each component of info you listed, but you seamed them together and provided connecting explanations i've not heard before so thank you!

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

You're so welcome!

[@susansanders8485]

Thank you for your work, Poppy! One of my simple checks for saddle fit is to place the saddle on the horse's back without a girth, and enlist a helper to walk the horse a few strides on a straight, level surface, while you walk alongside. If the saddle moves a lot (or falls off to one side or the other, which is why you need to walk along!), then that saddle needs some serious help to fit this horse. Do you have any tips for finding a saddle fitter in the United States? It's been tough to find someone who isn't representing a particular line of saddles.

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

Sadly I can’t help with finding a fitter in the US - although I know there are some who qualified via the same place as me, you can find them on www.mastersaddlers.co.uk If you put saddle fitter into the search bar you should be able to chose USA 🇺🇸

[@ahorsenamedleo7079]

So my horse is very chill about his saddle. But he is very compact so his Canter is very rocking chair like, which makes it feel like he's barely moving. Do you think his saddle fit might also be causing that movement that a little? His saddle is a little tight around his shoulders😁

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

Being tight at the shoulders can cause that kind of rocking horse canter where they don’t move forward properly - but it could just be the way he moves. Your saddle fitter will be able to advise, and put your mind to rest 🥰

[@laceybryan9725]

Does ur horse moving around a lot when u saddle up a sign of it two?? My horse only does it if he sees me grab his saddle

[@katbrown3304]

How quickly can a horse change shape that could cause the saddle to hurt/no longer fit after being fitted? No change in diet, exercise and is middle age (11).

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

It really depends on so many things. Eg if the saddle had previously not been fitting well and when adjusted the horse moved very differently then they can change shape really quite quickly. X