I asked a question and everyone said to go to a saddle fitter- what exactly is one?Outside of YA I have not heard of one. We have Amish that will sometimes repair leather or make western saddles, but only for select customers they know.
I am in central/northern WI, and I think this saddle fitting person must be from areas of high horse and money density. Here, we just have farriers, a few vets, and one licensed chiropractor that covers a 2-3 hour radius.
I have a synthetic dressage saddle- what could possibly be altered to make it fit better?
Oh, btw- no smart ...butt.. comments on a saddle fitter is a person who fits saddles, I figured that one out without any help.
Closest saddle shop is in Northern IL- 3-4 hrs away. We buy saddles only at the midwest horse fair, or online. Fleet farm sells cheap ones, but that is it.
Mulereiner- I didn't give you the thumbs down- I don't give thumbs down unless it is way off
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have used saddle fitters especially when purchasing a new saddle. They put the tree to the equine and make sure the bars don’t pinch and for my guys, enough flare.
That way, as they build the saddle, you know its fitting that animal.
If your saddle is already built, they can decide if it fits and maybe help with padding or soreness issues you might be having.
Any saddle shop worth its salt, should be able to help you, but it really does help if you know some saddle fitting basics before going in. I have met some ‘poor’ saddle fitters.
EDIT– even at your Midwest horse fair, there should be SOMEONE that can fit your horse if you haul it there. I don’t know when that is in the year, but I would start calling now if you are wanting one and try to get it lined up. If you want, you can email me pics of your horse with the saddle sitting bareback , no pad, from the angles I would need and I can try to help you. If you want that, let me know and I will send you my personal email.
Ok thanks for the thumbs down then
if you dont need the help then dont ask.
I am glad you figured it out! A saddle fitter will check the horses back and figure out if a specific saddle will fit that horse. A saddle fitter can also adjust the flocking (stuffing in the saddle) to make a better fit. They can also adjust the saddle tree ( the part over the withers) to fit your horse if the saddle tree can be adjusted.
Ask at a local tack store if they know of a fitter, or ask your trainer.
A saddle Fitter or Saddle Doctor, is person that fits a saddle that does not fit on the horse, to make it fit properly. You are surposed to have your saddle fit to your horse every 6 months to a year.They would probably change the stuffing in it so it fits better, or if you don’t think it fits properly and dont have the money to bring in a saddle doctor you can buy a half pad and see if that makes it fit better because your horse could hurt its back (withers) it the saddle it is wearing does not fit just right
a saddle fitter is a person who helps you find a saddle that fits… helps you fit a saddle…