Schleese Saddlery Service

Schleese Saddlefit 4 Life^®

Custom English Dressage Saddles

Celebrating 20 Years of Successful Solutions for Horse and Rider

Let us help you select the
perfect saddle

Discover the Benefits for Trainers and Students

Let us help you arrange a saddle fit session in your area

Pre-Register for your Saddle Fit Session

What Happens at a Saddlefit Session

(with a Certified Schleese Saddle Fit Technician “SFT”)

Step 1 - You will ride the horse to get a dust pattern, to allow SFT to analyze saddle fit and biomechanics before making any adjustments. All three gaits should be used in the warm-up: walk, trot, and canter in a 20 meter circle both directions without saddle pad, once around only

Step 2 - SFT will discuss with rider and/or coach the need or goal that they wish to have addressed in the Saddlefit Session.

Step 3 - After discussion with rider, the horse will be measured, saddle will be assessed, and rider will be measured.

3A - various innovative diagnostic tools, the SFT will determine how the saddle complements the horse measurements. The 11 point check will be completed and SFT will explain the reason why and how the saddle has to fit to the horse. Thanks to recent research compiled at Veterinary Universities, saddle fit is not an opinion anymore - it is now a combination of science and art, which helps both the rider and SFT protect the horse from long term damage.

3B – The SFT will evaluate the saddle, stuffing, billets, stitching, leathers and soundness, and type of tree, including measurements of tree width and angle. SFT will determine the seat balance of current saddle. An evaluation of girth and saddle pads is important and will be done. SFT will determine at this stage if and what repair needs to be done, or the fair market value of the saddle.

3C – SFT will measure rider’s seat, upper leg, lower leg, entire straight leg, as well as the diameter of the thigh, and will compare the rider's fit at 15 points on his/her current saddle. This will help the SFT and the rider to determine if the current saddle fit problem comes from improper saddle fit to horse or improper saddle fit to rider. It will also help to determine if rider struggles with seat position or with the movement of the horse, or whether comfort in motion comes from saddle fit for the rider.

Step 4 - SFT will give written itemized repair and adjustment report, if deemed achievable for this current saddle.

Step 5 - SFT will list 7 options available to the rider:

a. Evaluation of the fair market value of the saddle
b. Evaluation of the value of the saddle, and the rider opts to sell the saddle on consignment
c. Rider decides to purchase/order a new Schleese saddle, and the current saddle is applied as a trade-in (if certain criteria met)
d. Rider decides to have the saddle adjusted or repaired
e. Rider decides to purchase a pre-owned saddle
f. Rider decides to buy a new saddle
g. Rider decides to leave saddle “as is” (customer will receive a full written report) of the evaluation and analysis

Step 6 - After choosing an option, the SFT may adjust, repair or fit the presently owned, new or used saddle. After another ride to establish dust pattern, the SFT will recheck and re-evaluate saddle fit to horse and rider (if the re-check cannot be completed on same day for a new or used saddle, or in house repair, the saddle will be shipped with a customer reply form. The client will receive a $50 credit on account from head office upon sending in video and questionnaire)

Step 7 - Client may expect 45 -60 minutes of the SFT’s time available to use at his/her discretion. After signing the evaluation sheet, a copy of the evaluation will be given to client for his/her records.

The cost for the Evaluation and Analysis in a Saddlefit Session is $130 (pre-payment required to reserve your personal appointment). The cost of re-stuffs and adjustments include the evaluation and analysis of the saddle, horse and rider. For samples of our common services click here.