Professional Saddle Fitting Service

Buying a saddle online is a significant investment, and getting the fit right is essential for your horse's comfort, performance, and long-term well-being, as well as your own. That's why we offer a professional saddle fitting service carried out by our in-house qualified fitter, registered with the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) and fully insured.

Every saddle fitting appointment is carried out with the comfort, performance and welfare of both horse and rider as the priority. Each appointment includes a thorough assessment, allowing suitable recommendations to be made based on your horse's conformation, way of going and your individual requirements.

Saddle Fitting Charges

Standard Saddle Fitting Appointment

Weekday	£72.00 including VAT - (Travel in addition see below)
Weekend	£92.00 including VAT - (Travel in addition see below)

The standard saddle fitting appointment includes:

• Initial consultation to discuss your horse, rider and any concerns
• Assessment of the horse's conformation
• Static saddle fit assessment
• Dynamic assessment in hand and, where appropriate, a ridden assessment
• Evaluation of saddle balance, stability and panel contact
• Assessment of rider position and saddle suitability for the intended discipline
• Professional advice and recommendations regarding saddle fit and any adjustments that may be beneficial
• Written advice on any adjustments or further work required

Duration: Approximately 60–90 minutes.

Additional Saddle Assessment – £25.00

If you would like more than one saddle assessed during the same appointment, each additional saddle is charged at £25.00.

Mileage

Mileage is charged in addition to the fitting fee, at £0.50 per mile (return journey) from our premises to your appointment location. Where practical, appointments may be grouped within the same area to help reduce travel costs. Travel is billed on the day.

Additional Chargeable Services

Following the saddle fitting assessment, it may be recommended that further work is required to achieve the best possible fit. These services are not included within the standard fitting fee and are charged separately where applicable:

• Wool flocking adjustments
• Full or partial re-flocking
• Gullet width adjustments
• Saddle balance corrections
• Replacement gullet plates (where required)
• Girth strap replacement
• Minor saddle repairs and maintenance
• Other saddle adjustments as considered necessary following assessment

All recommendations will be fully explained before any work is undertaken. No additional chargeable work will be carried out without your prior agreement.

Payment

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

How It Works

Select your appointment type (Weekday or Weekend) and add to your cart. Once your order is confirmed, we'll contact you to arrange a convenient date and time for the fitting at your yard. Mileage and any additional services required will be discussed and charged at the appointment.

The Fitting Process

Every saddle fitting appointment is carried out using a thorough, systematic assessment to ensure the saddle is suitable for both horse and rider, considering the horse's conformation, movement, the rider's requirements, and the demands of the discipline being undertaken.

Initial Assessment

The appointment begins with a discussion of the horse's history, current workload, any previous saddle fitting issues, and the rider's goals.

Conformation Assessment

A detailed evaluation of the horse's conformation is undertaken to assess topline development, muscle symmetry, spinal alignment, shoulder freedom, rib cage shape, and any areas of sensitivity or asymmetry that may influence saddle fit.

Gait Analysis

The horse is observed moving in hand at walk and trot on a firm, level surface to assess straightness, limb movement, stride length, symmetry, and any movement patterns that may affect saddle performance.

Back Assessment, Templates and Measurements

A series of templates and measurements is taken to accurately record the shape of the horse's back, including wither profile, back width, topline contours, and bearing surface length. These assist in selecting the most appropriate saddle tree, panel configuration, and saddle design.

Static Saddle Assessment

Suitable saddles are assessed statically using the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) fitting guidelines, evaluating tree width and angle, panel contact and pressure distribution, wither and spinal clearance, saddle balance, length, gullet width, and panel symmetry.

Girthed & Ridden Assessment

Once correctly girthed, the saddle is reassessed before the horse is assessed under saddle in the rider's usual discipline. Saddle stability, balance, clearance, rider position, and interaction with both horse and rider are all evaluated throughout.

Recommendations

Following the assessment, clear recommendations are provided, which may include adjustment of the existing saddle, flocking alterations, or recommendations for alternative saddle models. Advice on ongoing saddle care and routine reassessment is also provided.

Why Saddle Fitting Matters

Many of the saddle brands we stock require a professional fitting as a condition of purchase. This protects you and your horse and ensures the saddle performs as the manufacturer intends. For other brands, we strongly recommend a fitting as best practice — a correctly fitted saddle can make a transformative difference to your horse's way of going.

Brands we represent include: 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.

Our Commitment

Our aim is to provide an independent, professional saddle fitting service that places the welfare of the horse and the comfort of the rider first. Every recommendation is based on the findings of the assessment, ensuring that any adjustments or additional work are only advised where genuinely required.

Your fitting is carried out by Ian Taft, a Society of Master Saddlers-registered, qualified, and fully insured saddle fitter, independently verified by the Equine Fitters Council and listed in the Equine Fitters Directory.

Fully qualified. Fully insured. Your horse in safe hands.