A saddle will probably be the most expensive single item which you buy for your horse – sometimes it can even cost more than the horse!  So, it is really important that the choice you make is the most suitable, not just for the horse but for you, the rider or riders.

There may be compromises to be made, but the most important aspect is that of the horse’s welfare in conjunction with the riders’ needs, whatever discipline or level, to achieve maximum comfort and optimum performance safely.  Whether a happy hacker or top competitor, nearly all caring horse owners and riders understand that horses ‘change shape’ for a variety of reasons so that any saddle, no matter how well fitted at the time it was purchased, may need adjustment, alteration or even exchange at a later date.

Saddles were first introduced centuries ago simply to attach stirrups and provide a stable seat for the rider.  Although the style of riding has changed drastically in recent years and the shape and type of horses has moved on and is still evolving, the basic principles of a ‘tree’d’ saddle are much the same. The tree acts as a frame through which the weight of the rider is dispersed evenly through the panels and to place the rider in the right position, securely and in balance to allow the horse freedom to move and not to impede that movement.

A ‘good’ saddle should make it easier to sit, upright and relaxed, in the right place giving the partnership confidence.  An unbalanced saddle may throw the rider forward, back or twist making it hard to keep their leg in the correct position, contribute to back or neck problems for horse and rider, affect muscle development  and at worse completely unsettle both leading to behavioural problems and increasing the risk of horse and rider parting company.
I tend to liken buying and fitting a saddle to choosing a pair of jeans – although the latter is definitely less complicated, costly and potentially harmful in terms of physical damage! The processes involved can be just as stressful, input of opinions endless and the choice of brands daunting!  Expense and fashion is no guarantee of quality or fit or that they will still be wearable in two years time. Nor does an economy price tag mean that they aren’t appropriate for a special occasion or suitable for use every day.  However, especially if price is the only consideration, at the cheaper end of the market whatever the label or brand name, by default, production has to be standardised and/or contracted out, the choice of style is more limited, and there may be a risk that materials may not perform exactly to your expectations. And to be frank – you want your bum to look good in it!

There are a number of factors in finding the ‘right’ saddle.  Most are common sense but, because of the infinite variations in physique of both horse and rider, differing demands of each riding discipline and huge pool of used and new saddle styles and types, no wonder it can feel like a minefield.  It is really vital you are confident in your choice and this is where the help of a competent and experienced saddle fitter can really make the difference.
The most influential element in fitting a saddle is the horse or pony’s breed, type, size and confirmation – a saddle suitable for an athletic thoroughbred, as a general rule, would not fit a fat cob, or be balanced for a full warmblood. The saddle should not be too long for the horse’s ribcage, should not pinch the wither, nor prevent the horse from using its shoulder or from moving freely.

The next consideration is what the saddle is to be used for – a dressage style saddle may be good on the flat, but it won’t be any help around a show jumping arena.

And thirdly, the type of rider – tall/short, round/athletic, long/short legs (especially the thigh proportion),  heavy or light, right/left handed, beginner/professional, straight/crooked etc, etc.

In brief, what you should look for in a correctly fitted saddle:

• The size, width and pattern of the tree must be suited to the horse being fitted
• The angle of the tree must correspond to the angle of the horse’s shoulder
• The size of the saddle must be suitable for horse and rider
• It must not interfere with the backward movement of the scapula – ie block the shoulder
• It must be balanced so that the deepest part of the seat enables the rider to sit in the centre of the horse’s movement
• The weight bearing contact area of the panel is as much and as even as possible without pressure points or ‘bridging’
• It sits symmetrically over the spine on the back and is free from excessive movement such as rocking, swaying, pivoting, rotating.  (Raised, broken or rubbed areas of hair under panels are telltale signs if there is movement)
• The tree is symmetrical
• The panels are symmetrical (Although there may be occasional flocking adjustments to accommodate irreversible one-sidedness through muscle imbalance or injury)
• The flocking is not lumpy or with big holes.
• The girthing lies correctly with the girth groove so the saddle is not pulled forward when the girth is adjusted.

The best advice is always honest advice.  Never take a saddle because it’s ‘the one that looks nice’, someone else on the yard ‘has one’ or ‘it will do’.  Every horse and rider is individual. Always try before you buy and do not be afraid to wait to find the right one.  Do research, use a fitter you trust, one that is trying to find the best for you, not just to ‘sell a saddle’. Ask questions, any genuine fitter will not resent your wish for knowledge and will ensure you have real support and backup if there should be problems. And please, do get your saddle checked regularly, generally every 6 months if your horse tends to change to a year for light work.  Even if there is not an obvious need, it is always better safe than sorry.

Whatever saddle you finally decide on, it is your choice. It is always worth involving an experienced saddlefitter to help you – not to make the decision for you – but to advise what will suit you and your horse best.
Article by Sally Prichard from Albion
07973 838 0972 or email selppr@aol.com