Question: Does your saddle reeaaalllly fit???

I'm imagining a funky inbred horse that just gets skinnier as it goes back until its butt is basically a toothpick. Haha. I honestly can't think of a horse that would comfortably fit...

Thank you for sharing the videos MIE, I was looking for a jumping saddle for my recent addition and I met someone at training that had one for sale. After watching these videos it made me aware that the length of the saddle was definitely too short for him straight away!

Thanks again

You are welcome! I am glad that the video's helped you out! I think it was great that Schleese took the time out to make them!

Thank you for posting this, it was very helpful! I had both my saddles fitted to my horse but after watching this I realized that neither of them really fit! Time to search for new saddles and a new saddle fitter

I am glad that the videos have helped you out! I know the frustrations of finding a good saddle fitter - always go with what the surrounding public/clientel say about the saddlers.

I made that mistake once, and wont do it again. I went with a saddler in my area and I was told "wide with a wither relief pad" and went with what she said, until I discovered from other saddlers and saddling seminars that, that is only a short term solution, because that causes damage in the long run, destroying the topline and the muscles because they cannot obtain the needed oxygen to grow and develop.

So, I then started to ask other equestrians in the community about the saddler I used, and only recieved negative feedback - so, lesson learnt.

I never thought I'd need to look at these videos since they are for an english saddle, but my new saddle fits more like an english saddle than a western saddle. It's an entirely new experience for me, and I'm sure glad I had this to refer to - I didn't even know exactly where to set the saddle - when it's in the right spot on Dancer, it looks almost like it's on her neck compared to the other saddles I've had. Dancer sure seems to like it though. She's totally relaxed!

I am thrilled that the video's were able to help you! It was spectacular that Schleese took the time out to make them for us.

Congrats on your new saddle!

I really really should contribute since we discussed this in college and i've talked to saddle fitters from all over the world thanks to my (late) hard to fit shark fin top narrow base wide old TB with WB bone density... lol. And bc I started Welcome to Equi-Eval | Full Service Equine Evaluations - but im lazzzzzy!!!! And tired! It was a long monday...

*whines*

Lol ok jk. Having tea. But maybe i'll reply later I love saddle fit stuff, and I think it goes well with massage and reiki and chiro when you take into consideration the holistic view of the horse, their confo, movement, and any potential sticky / tricky spots.

I think I got lucky as the only real saddler that we have in this area (that I know of at least) was trained by schleese but now just has his own business. He's been out to fit my dressage saddle to my shark finned, large shouldered, wide and thick boned TB. So i've had the benefit of all of the tutorials in person. It's really awesome to see how they look at things and address different issues. I was also pleasantly surprised that he made some adjustments to the saddle, had me ride in it and then made additional adjustments based on how I ride and fit in the saddle. I know not everyone has the $ or availability of a qualified saddle fitter in their area, but if you can do it, I highly recommend having a fitting at least once.

I wish you were just a little bit closer! I'm having a terrible time fitting a saddle(western) on my appy, but you are about an hour and a half away