Professional Saddle Fitting Service

Professional Saddle Fitting from Saddlemasters

Buying a saddle is a significant investment, and getting the fit right is essential for your horse's comfort, performance and long-term wellbeing, as well as your own. Ian Taft, our qualified, Society of Master Saddlers (SMS)-registered and fully insured fitter, assesses the horse, saddle and rider before providing clear recommendations.

Saddle Fitting Charges

Travel is charged separately according to your saddle fitting area. A standard appointment lasts approximately 60–90 minutes.

Your Appointment Includes

• Consultation about your horse, rider and any concerns
• Horse conformation and movement assessment in hand
• Static saddle fit and, where appropriate, ridden assessment
• Evaluation of saddle balance, stability and panel contact
• Assessment of rider position and suitability for the intended discipline
• Professional recommendations and written advice on any further work

Select Your Saddle Fitting Area

Select the area where your stable is located when placing your order so the appropriate travel supplement can be applied. Check your appointment type and total charge before completing checkout.

Additional Saddles for the Same Horse — £25 each

The standard appointment covers one saddle for one horse. If that same horse has more than one saddle to check during the appointment, each additional saddle is £25. This is not a charge for an additional horse. Please tell us how many extra saddles you need assessed when arranging your appointment. The extra-saddle charge is not currently selectable on this product page and will be confirmed with you before it is charged.

Additional Saddle Services

Any work recommended after assessment is separate from the fitting fee and charged only where applicable. This may include wool flocking or re-flocking, gullet width and saddle balance adjustments, replacement gullet plates, girth strap replacement and minor repairs. All recommendations and prices will be explained before any work is undertaken; no additional chargeable work will be done without your agreement.

How to Book

Select Weekday (£72 including VAT) or Weekend (£92 including VAT), choose your saddle fitting area if offered, and complete your order. We will contact you to arrange a date and time at your yard and confirm any additional saddles for the same horse.

What Happens During the Appointment?

Initial Consultation

We discuss your horse's history, workload, riding requirements and saddle fitting concerns.

Conformation and Gait Assessment

We assess the back shape, topline, symmetry, withers and shoulder area. Where appropriate, the horse is observed moving in hand at walk and trot on a firm, level surface.

Back Templates & Measurements

Templates and measurements may be taken to help assess saddle suitability.

Static and Ridden Saddle Assessment

The saddle is assessed for tree width, panel contact, clearance, balance, length, gullet width and symmetry. Where appropriate, we reassess it girthed and ridden in the horse's usual discipline.

Recommendations

Following assessment, we explain any recommended adjustments, maintenance or alternative saddle options before any additional work is undertaken.

Professional & Independent Advice

Our recommendations put the welfare of the horse and comfort of the rider first. Ian Taft is SMS-registered, qualified and fully insured, independently verified by the Equine Fitters Council and listed in the Equine Fitters Directory.

Saddle Brands

Saddlemasters represents Albion, Amerigo, Equipe, Fairfax, Pessoa, GFS, Thorowgood, Kent and Masters, PDS Saddles, The Saddle Company, Premier Equine, John Whitaker and Pennwood. We are also approved to maintain and adjust Bates Saddles. Many brands require professional fitting as a condition of purchase; fitting is strongly recommended for other saddles too.

Payment

Payment for the fitting appointment and any agreed additional work is due on completion of the visit unless otherwise agreed in advance.

Need More Information?

Our separate Saddle Fitting information page explains the fitting process in more detail; it is currently unpublished. If you have questions before booking, please contact us.

Ready to Book?

Choose your appointment type and saddle fitting area to book your professional fitting with Saddlemasters.