SADDLE FIT EVALUATIONS & FITTINGS
So that I can give you and your horse the best possible service, please:
- Allow at least 2-3 hours for your first saddle fit appointment. Horses do not do well when we try to rush them. Also, I am never sure exactly how long the horse before you will take so note that appointment times are going to be approximate.
- Please don't schedule a lesson, farrier, vet or any other appointments for your horse on the day of your fitting.
- Have your horse groomed and ready to measure, but let him wait in his stall until we are finished measuring you and your saddle.
- Be prepared to ride. We need to have the primary rider ride the horse first. And please no riding before the fitting (lunging a fresh horse is OK)
- Practice having your horse stand still and square to get the most accurate measurements. For the static fit part of the evaluation the horse will need to stand still and reasonably square.
- Bring a helper, your trainer, spouse, friends, family, or all of the above the more the merrier. I am happy to answer questions to help spread the word about proper saddle fit and how it affects our horse's behavior, performance and ultimately the health of horse and rider.
After we have measured you, your saddle and your horse, we will have you ride for a few minutes without a saddle pad, if possible. Riding without the pad helps us to see exactly what your saddle is doing while you are riding.
NOTE: You will ride your horse in your old saddle even if you plan to buy a new one. It is a very important part of the process and will help me pick the best saddle for you.
After you ride in your saddle, we will review your options:
1. Your saddle fit is already very good & nothing needs to be done for 6-12 months. Since horses change shape, it is recommended to have your saddle fit evaluated again in 6-12 months.
2. Your saddle can be adjusted or the fit can be improved with one of your saddle pads or with one of our Thin Line Shimmable Saddle Pads.
3. If your saddle does not fit & nothing can be done, you can take the information and go saddle shopping or keep the saddle and shop for a new horse.
4. You can try one of our adjustable saddles to see which ones are comfortable for you and your horse.
DEMO SADDLES
Several Peter Horobin, DP Saddlery, Specialized and TW Saddles are in stock and available to try at your evaluation. Occasionally, the right saddle is in stock but usually we need to order. Ordered saddles usually takes between 1 and 4 months.
Every saddle comes with a 10 day trial period and a first free fitting in 3 to 6 months.
FEES
- The evaluation fee is $169 within 75 miles of our farm at 470 Copperhead Lane, Crossville, TN. (additional horses of the same owner is $124 per horse)
- The evaluation fee is $124 per horse at our farm at 470 Copperhead Lane, Crossville, TN.
- Specialized, TW & DP Saddle adjustments are included in the evaluation fee.
- Fees for flocking and/or tree adjustments depends on the time involved (usually $50-$125)
- Accepted payment methods: Checks & cash. Paypal is available with 3% fee. We do not accept credit cards, venno or zelle.
Note: Some servers have trouble with this registration form. If your form won't submit, please just send the information in an email.
DISCLAIMER
Some horses don't know that saddles don't have to be uncomfortable, but once they find out some will not go back to a poor fitting saddle without performance or behavior issues. We don't know what we don't know, but once we find out, we can't go back. For some, it is very upsetting to find out that the saddle we were using on our horse was causing him discomfort, poor behavior and sometimes painful damage. We can only move forward, educate ourselves and do better.