What Happens in a Schleese Saddle Fitting Session

Welcome to Schleese Saddlery!
An evaluation of how your saddle fits you and your horse carried out by a Schleese Certified Saddle Fitting Technician (SFT) or Independent Saddle Fitter (ISF) probably will be totally different from anything you’ve ever experienced before. In part this is because we approach saddle fitting as both an art and a science.

We use scientific methods and measurements to fit a saddle to a horse in motion, not to one only standing in the crossties.
We base our analysis on the most recent findings in veterinary medicine about equine biomechanics and how a saddle affects a horse’s movement and soundness.
We are dedicated to protecting horses from long-term damage caused by improperly fitting saddles.
We take into consideration the connection between saddle design and human anatomy when evaluating how a saddle fits a particular rider. Since women’s pelvic structure differs from that of men, it is rare that women will like “male saddles,” although men often will find “female saddles” comfortable.

So that you can prepare yourself to take full advantage of your saddle fitting evaluation, we’ve provided a brief step-by-step description of the process.

In order for us to be of most help to you, the first thing we’ll ask you is what you want to accomplish through the saddle fitting evaluation. For example, are you experiencing particular saddle fitting issues with your current saddle that you’d like resolved? Are you looking to purchase a new saddle? Do you have a Schleese saddle you’d like refitted?

If this is your first Schleese saddle fitting evaluation, the SFT/ISF will take various measurements of your leg and seat as you sit in your current saddle, if you have one. This will help us evaluate how well that saddle fits you, or if you’re looking for a new saddle, will help us decide what model of saddle will work best for your particular configuration.

We will use 3 separate tools to measure your horse: one that measures the height and width of your horse’s wither bone and muscle, one that measures the angle of your horse’s shoulder blade, and one that gives us a 3D picture of the curvature and width of your horse’s back. If this is the first time we have worked with your horse, these measurements will serve as a baseline from which we can assess future changes in the horse’s development. If your saddle is fully adjustable, they will also allow us to make precise adjustments to the fit of the saddle as your horse matures and progresses in his training.

The SFT/ISF will evaluate your horse’s basic anatomy. Among other things, we will determine the length of the saddle support area, the width of your horse’s spine, if one shoulder is larger than another, and if the withers are short or long. All of this information will help us determine how well the current saddle fits your horse or which new saddle will best fit both you and your horse.

The SFT/ISF will then evaluate the current saddle, if you have one, to determine the integrity of the tree, and the condition of the billets, the stitches and the leather. We will also evaluate the girth to ensure that its length and construction are appropriate for your horse, and the saddle pad.

Next, and always if you are a new client, the SFT/ISF will evaluate how your current saddle, if you have one, fits you. Is the seat size appropriate, too large, or too small? Is the flap the correct length and angle? Is the depth of the seat too shallow, OK, or too deep? Are there any particular issues you’ve been experiencing with your saddle? For example, if you have difficulty keeping your position in the saddle, this part of the evaluation can help us to determine why.

The static fit of the saddle to the horse will be evaluated. Is the length of the saddle appropriate or too long for this horse? Do the billets fall in the horse’s girth area, or are they too far back or forward? Is the width of the gullet consonant with the width of the horse’s spine? Is the length of the vertical panel correct or too long? Is the horizontal panel hollow or bridging?

Following this, you will ride your horse without a saddle pad at the walk, rising trot, canter, and sitting trot on a 20 meter circle in both directions. This is the dynamic fit portion of the saddle fitting evaluation, and the dust pattern gained from it will allow the SFT/ISF to evaluate exactly what the saddle does when your horse is in motion. Does it move forward onto the horse’s shoulders? Does it fall off to one side? Does it stay level and centered on your horse’s back? The dust pattern ride gives us additional information to help us determine what adjustments to make to the fit of the saddle.

Now, the Saddle Fitting Technician or Independent Saddle Fitter (SFT/ISF) will discuss with you his or her findings from the entire evaluation process, and your options:

The fair market value of your saddle will be determined.
If you have a fully adjustable saddle that can be refitted, the SFT/ISF will explain why and how it will be adjusted, and the cost for an adjustment/repair.
If you have an older Schleese saddle, and if it qualifies for trade-in, the SFT/ISF will tell you the fair market value, and what you would get if we accepted the saddle as a trade-in toward a new saddle.
If you wish to purchase a new or used Schleese saddle, the SFT/ISF will tell you which models would be suitable for you and your horse, and the cost of the saddle.
You may decide to leave the current saddle “as is” and pay only for the written evaluation and analysis report.

After you have chosen an option, the SFT/ISF will adjust or fit the presently owned or new/ used saddle. Once this is done, you will do a second dust pattern ride, after which the SFT/ISF will re-check the fit of the saddle. Then, if you and the SFT/ISF are satisfied with the fit of the saddle to both you and your horse, you will sign and receive a copy of the Evaluation form for your records.

The entire evaluation process may take between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on whether you are a current Schleese client with a saddle that simply needs an adjustment, or wish to try saddles with the goal of purchasing one.

NOTE:
Depending on individual circumstances and on your particular needs, some of these steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

PRICING:
Evaluation: $149.00 per horse.
Tree Adjustment: $125.00 (only on Schleese and a few other brands - please inquire)
Re-flocking: $140.00
For Schleese saddles there is a discounted bundled fee of $345.00 for all three services.

For additional information and pricing on other repairs, please contact us at (800) 225-2242.
ONTARIO and QUEBEC:
Please contact Miriam Boutros at 800-225-2242 x 41 to schedule an appointment.

U.S.A. and all other CANADIAN PROVINCES:
Please check our Clinic Schedule to determine when we will be in your area.

If you do not see your area listed, please call Linda Haughton at 800-225-2242 x 32 or email lhaughton@schleese.com .

Schleese Saddlery Service

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What Happens in a Schleese Saddle Fitting Session

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