Episode Details

Not All Saddles Are Created Equal…Every horse has a unique build, and even the most beautifully crafted saddle can cause discomfort or long-term damage if it doesn't suit you and your horse in the first place. Does My Saddle Fit’s online course will teach you the first step in correct saddle fitting - how to assess your horse’s unique saddlefit area. This is essential for avoiding costly mistakes, safeguarding your horse’s well-being, and ensuring your saddle helps, not harms, your partnership.

In ‘How To Identify Your Horse’s Saddlefit Area' by Jill Shepherd, you’ll learn how to identify, mark up, and measure your horse’s saddlefit area, according to their individual conformation. With this knowledge, you can quickly determine whether a saddle is a potential fit or a definite mismatch, saving time and money by avoiding the purchase of unsuitable equipment.

Many people within the equestrian community ride for therapeutic reasons and to build a deeper emotional connection with their horses. Research from the Equine Veterinary Journal underscores the importance of correct saddlefit in strengthening this bond: since a well-fitted saddle ensures the horse’s comfort, reduces stress, and enhances performance, leading to more harmonious horse-rider relationships.

However, when correct saddlefit is neglected, it disrupts biomechanics on both sides. Riders can experience postural issues, muscle strain, back pain, reduced control, and injury from an incorrect fit. Furthermore, 'Does My Saddle Fit' emphasizes that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for either horse or rider since factors such as thigh bone length, hip width, and body proportions must be considered when selecting the most suitable seat for the rider.

For the horse, a poorly fitted saddle can cause pain, pressure sores, muscle atrophy, restricted movement, and behavioral issues. According to the company, achieving correct saddlefit requires careful evaluation of the length, width, and angle of the horse's weight-bearing area, and the width of its paraspinal ligaments, among other aspects.

“A horse doesn’t know that a saddle should fit,” said a spokesperson for the company. “It only knows when it does or doesn’t and can be very demonstrative both ways. Often, the ways in which a horse communicates incorrect saddlefit can be misinterpreted as other areas of discomfort.”

Alongside helping you to prioritize your horse’s welfare, 'Does My Saddle Fit' says that its course can help significantly reduce equine bodywork and veterinary costs related to saddle-induced injuries.

Available online, the training is self-paced and offers optional certification. It includes tutorials with hands-on techniques, interactive tools, and personalized feedback to enhance your horse-riding experience. It is suitable for beginners to seasoned competitive riders throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.

'Does My Saddle Fit' was founded by former competitor, coach, and trainer Jill Shepherd. She combines her broad experience and study of a wide range of equine therapy and bodywork modalities to apply an holistic approach to saddle fitting.

"It is my goal to help as many horses and riders as possible discover the perfect partnership with a happy and healthy horse,” said Jill. “That is why I created my education series, starting with the first step: teaching you how to correctly identify your horse’s saddlefit area, giving you a way to check any saddle that you try as a ‘possible’ or a ‘no way in the world this will fit.’”

Take the guesswork out of saddle fitting and make every ride a comfortable one – sign up for Does My Saddle Fit’s course today!

Click on the link in the description to find out more! Does My Saddle Fit City: Diamond Beach Address: 12 Vincent Close Website: https://doesmysaddlefit.info Email: gill@doesmysaddlefit.info