Saddler's Fitting Tools

What Happens in a Schleese Saddle Fit Session



Welcome to Schleese Saddlery!
An evaluation of how your saddle fits you and your horse carried out by a Schleese certified saddlefit technician (SFT) or certified saddlefit representative (SFR) probably will be totally different from anything you’ve ever experienced before. In part this is because we approach saddlefitting 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 saddlefit 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 saddlefit evaluation. For example, are you experiencing particular saddle fit 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 saddlefit evaluation, the SFT/SFR 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/SFR 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/SFR 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/SFR 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 (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 fit evaluation, and the dust pattern gained from it will allow the SFT/SFR 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 SFT/SFR will discuss with you his/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/SFR 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/SFR 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/SFR 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/SFR 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/SFR will re-check the fit of the saddle. Then, if you and the SFT/SFR 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: $140.00 per horse ($160.00 for Jochen Schleese)
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 $335.00 for all three services.

For additional information and pricing on other repairs, please contact us at (800) 225-2242.

Saddler's Fitting Tools