Fitting Preparation

Our saddle fitters, Louise Smith and Alene Telfer are both Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters. Both will travel anywhere in Scotland, although the further away, we organise group fittings as it can be expensive for just one. The benefit of having the saddle fitter travelling to your home or yard is that the horse is usually more relaxed in its own environment and behaves in a more honest fashion.

It is always helpful to be ready for your appointment. Please have the horse in from the field and groomed before the fitter arrives. Have your bridle, girth, stirrup leathers and irons ready and be dressed yourself with your hat on. If you have numnahs or pads please have them to hand so that the fitter can advise you on the best one to use after the fitting.

A level area helps for assessing the horses’ confirmation and for templating. Where possible a ménage or flat dry area in a field should be available. It is very difficult to assess the fit of a saddle if there is only a road to trot up and down. Of course we understand that we can’t always have the luxury of an indoor school and will do our best to make good of any situation we are faced with.

Saddle Fitting/Purchasing

It is recommended that you have your saddle fitted by a qualified saddle fitter. Having the saddle fitted gives the customer an assurance that the horse will be as comfortable as possible. You should be aware however that there are many difficult shapes out there and horses can change shape due to any number of reasons, including the time of the year, the age of the animal, work being done and even a change of home or rider may considerably alter the way that the saddle fits. In human terms, if you lose or put on weight, your clothes do not fit the same way.

Getting a saddle fitted also gives you a back up in case something does change. We are pleased to care for and maintain your saddle, which should be regularly checked for fit and balance. If you have any worries, we are always willing to discuss them with you.

Please note that there is occasionally confusion that a qualified saddler and a qualified saddler fitter are the same. This is not the case although some saddlers may also be saddle fitters!

If you are interested, please contact us, preferably by telephone as we quite often need to ask lots of questions and chat about your needs.