Saddle Fitting Resources

Auckland Saddle Fit works with all brands of saddles. A saddle is assessed by the shape and size of it's tree and panel, and whether it can work for the shape of the horse and rider. Wool and Cair panels offer the more adjustability, but latex panels can be rebalanced with the use of shim pads.

Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) recommend that as a 'gold standard' saddles should be fitted every 6 months.

Some combinations will need a fitting on a more regular basis (shared saddles between horses or heavy workloads), and others may only need annual checks. Auckland Saddle Fit recommends taking regular weight measurements around the girth area to check for weight/ muscle/ age/ work related changes, to help indicate when a fitting is due.

A saddle fitting is similar to a car service. We want to address any small changes that could cause a problem, before they start. A well fitting saddle keeps the hard parts of the tree off the sensitive parts of the horse. It also keeps the riders weight kindly distributed throughout the tree and panel. When the balance changes, the saddle can start to move/rock and cause painful pressure points.

Saddle fittings are also used to pick out suitable saddle choices when you change your horse, or need a new (or new to you) saddle for an existing horse.

Don't forget, saddle fitting also incorporates how the rider fits in the saddle.

If the saddle is a suitable choice for both horses, then the answer is Yes. The widest horse is the one that must be fitted to, and then shim pads can be used to balance and fit the saddle to the second horse.

A good fit for the horse allows the tree and panels to distribute the riders weight in motion as kindly as possible, and protects the sensitive areas of the horses back.

A good fit for the rider keeps your body as still as possible to stay with the horses movement, and allows your joints to absorb shock without being damaged.