Considering the large number of saddles, the variety of designs, and the vast quality available on the market today, selecting a saddle can be a very overwhelming process. We cannot lie, saddle fitting is complex and subsequently remains a prevelant problem in the equine industry. Contrary to many of the latest marketing schemes, there are no quick fixes. Achieving a good fit is an art and one that requires adaquate knowledge and experience. Heidi Pichotta is an independent saddle fitter and aims to provide riders with the necessary tools to make well informed decisions in regards to saddle selection and fitting.
There are many steps that go in to achieving the "right" fit for you and Heidi ensures each step is taken to provide you and your horse with the best possible fit. In a buyer beware market, enlisting the guidance of a professional saddle fitter will enable you to get the most for your money and eliminate spending thousands of dollars on saddles that do not fit.
Heidi's goal is to help you select a saddle that best meets you and your horse's needs, not sell you something you do not need just to make a sale!
Our promise to our clients is that they will receive an unbiased professional opinion based on tried and true saddle fitting principles. We are truly in business for the horse.
A few points to consider when shopping for a new saddle:
A sales representative is not always a saddle fitter.
Always conduct a thorough interview and inquire how the fitter's education was obtained. Is the fitter's training through the company whose saddles they sell?
Are they working on commission?
How long have they been in business and is this their sole business?
What is their equine experience? It is difficult to fully understand saddle making or fitting when one does not have an extensive background in biomechanics and anatomy, does not ride, or has little to no knowledge of the discipline you ride.
About the Process:
Heidi meticulously measures each horse to guarantee the best possible fit is selected for the horse. From these measurements, a set of templates are created. These templates are used to assess current and prospective saddles, determine appropriate tree size, and they are an invaluable tool in which to eliminate the guesswork of selecting a saddle. They also provide a valuable visual in which to record the health of your horse's back.
Heidi works with quality tack shops, saddle companies, and custom makers across the country to ensure you are matched with the saddle that best fits you and your horse.
There are many methods for mapping a horse's back but not all methods are created equal. It is a process that must be done with a great degree of accuracy and appropriate knowledge. We are very confident in our proven system and think you will be too!
Heidi will assess any and all saddles you plan to use for flaws. Even the most minor asymmetry in a saddle can cause great damage to the horse's back. A biomechanic evaluation is also performed wherein Heidi will critique the horse/rider dynamics and a Port Lewis Impression Pad may be used. This is essential to ensure the saddle has a positive impact for not only the horse but the rider as well.
Common warning signs include:
- Sores on the back
- White hairs under the saddle
- Temporary swelling after removing the saddle
- Muscle atrophy
- Front leg lameness, including stumbling and tripping
- Objection to being saddled
- Hypersensitivity to brushing
- Bucking or rearing
- Unwillingness to move
- Excessive rolling
- Unable to stand still
- Resistance to work
- Lack of concentration
- Slow to warm up or relax
- Refusing jumps
- Ducking out of turns
- Decrease of speed
- Difficult to collect
- Tail swishing, ear pinning, grinding teeth, head tossing, etc.
- Inability to travel straight
Test Your Knowledge:
Saddle Fitting Critique
Here are some common saddle fitting mistakes. Can you recognize them?
What is wrong with this fit?
Did you notice? : The saddle is perched on a stack of pads affecting balance, the pannels are not optimally contacting the back, as we can see in the rear view photo. This saddle will not give the spine adaquate room. The pannels should act like a bridge over the spine and sit on the muscles of the back between the spine and ribcage.
What is wrong with this fit?
You were correct if you said: This saddle is too far forward. It is sitting on the scapula and consequently restricting the horse's range of motion. Notice how the rider looks like she is sitting up hill? Due to the saddle being placed too far forward, it is sitting too low in the back and the horse is unable to work through his back, resulting in lack of hindquarter engagement and a hollow frame.
What is wrong with this fit?
You were correct if you said: This saddle is crooked and is causing the rider to be off balance and lean to the left. Additionally, because the pannel is hanging off the edge of the pad, it is causing a pressure point.
What is wrong with this fit?
You were correct if you said: This saddle is unbalanced, is tipping forward causing pressure in the front of the saddle. The rider is being pushed forward, as we can see by the rotation of her pelvis. This horse's back is also hollow. On a positive note, good job to the rider for using an all wool pad to help reduce the pressure points caused by the saddle.
What is wrong with this fit:
Answer: The seat size is too small for the rider. Even if the saddle is a good fit, it can be made a poor fit if it is not a match for the rider. This ill fitting seat is preventing in proper weight distribution and it will not allow the rider to obtain proper alingment.
What is wrong with this fit?
Answer: This is the wrong tree shape and width for this horse. Notice the excessive gullet clearance? The pommel shape should match the shape of the horse's back and this angle is too steep for this horse. On a positive note, kudos to this rider for not using a thick pad, which would result in an even tighter fit!
What is wrong with this picture?
If you said : Incorrect use/adjustment of the back cinch, you were correct! The back cinch plays a very important role in saddle fitting but it must be adjusted properly! You should not be able to see daylight between the horse and the cinch. Good job to the rider in the second picture for not having the cinch so low the horse could get a foot through it. It's close to being correct.
What is wrong with this picture?
If you said : This saddle is like a vice grip on this horse's back. It is not evenly distributing the rider's weight. As we can see, it's restricting the horse's scapula and the rear of the saddle is lifted off the back. We can also see this horse's neck has come up in response to pain and his back is hollow. Notice the the tight muscling in his shoulder and the incorrect muscle development in the neck.
Please Note: The information on this site and in the above photographs may not legally be copied, published, saved or in any way duplicated. All content on this site is property of MEA.
SADDLE FITTING SERVICES
Please contact us for our price list.
SADDLE FITTING (English and/or Western):
Includes: Static evaluation, horse and rider dynamics evaluation, complete set of templates, back palpitation by a qualified therapist, symmetry analysis, and suggestions. Our superior template system addresses ALL areas of the back. At least 6 measurements are taken of the back. These templates can be used to shop for new saddles or to have one custom made.
ON-SITE ROUTINE RE-FLOCKING:
Routine flocking adjustments done on-site. If your saddle is flocked with inferior flock or if it has been over 1.5 years since it has been re-flocked, we recommend a custom saddle fitting. If the panels are in poor condition, have lost their resilience, are hard and lumpy, we will suggest your saddle be re-paneled.
SADDLE FITTING & CUSTOM RE-FLOCKING:
Combination of the above two options. By utilizing our superior template system (we measure ALL areas of the back that will come into contact with the saddle), we are able to thoroughly measure your horse's back and customize your saddle.
SADDLE RE-PANELING:
Recommended for saddles that have not been routinely re-flocked and have hard, lumpy panels or for saddles that are flocked with poor quality flocking.
Saddles should, minimally, be re-flocked on an annual basis with quality wool flock. It is next to impossible to create a smooth panel when it is stuffed with synthetic fibers and you can bet your horse is going to feel every one of those bumps! Consequently, synthetic flock is going to negate all the quality flock we add. Also, poor quality flock will not conform to your horse's back like pure wool will.
We use only the fines, long fiber, virgin wool from England in each and every saddle.
Please allow us 7 days to finish re-paneling your saddle. When shipping your saddle to us please: contact us prior to shipping, insure the saddle, provide contact information and return address. We may also request specific photos of the horse's conformation and the current fit of the saddle
SADDLE FITTING CHECK-UP FOR THERAPY CLIENTS:
Discounted price for our muscle therapy clients when used in conjunction with one of our therapy sessions. This includes a static evaluation of the fit, assessment of the saddle for flaws, and recommendations. Therapy and fit assessments must be done on the same day. This is not a full saddle fitting but a check-up for regular clients to catch fit problems before they become an issue.
SADDLE SHOPPING:
Utilizing the measurements taken in the saddlefitting session, Heidi will help you select the saddle that best meets you and your horse's needs.
The saddles below are made by custom saddle maker, Cliff Langerud. Cliff can be reached at 218-354-7157. Please read about Heidi Pichotta's and Cliff Langerud's upcoming clinic series on our clinics page.
Problems that arise from ill-fitting saddles can be prevented. Prevent a saddle problem before the damage is irreversible; schedule a saddle fitting appointment today, your horse will thank you!
Copyright 2005 Mechanics for the Equine Athlete
