Saddle fitting is a very important piece when it comes to owning horses. However, it can be tricky to determine a good fit if you are unsure on what to look for. This is a situation when you would hire a professional saddle fitter to come out and help properly fit your horse. Like anything, it is important to choose a reputable fitter. There are certain red flags to watch out for when picking a saddle fitter and there are many questions you can ask to make sure you are in the right hands. The most important thing is you and your horse. You don't want to be sold just any saddle. You want a great fit that will not only make your rides more enjoyable, but safer too! 

When choosing a fitter, you want someone who is reputable, professional, a good listener, and honest. You don't want to hire a car salesman, you want a saddle expert who truly cares about your situation! Don't be afraid to do your research and explore all options before scheduling. 

Red Flags 

If you notice any of these while chatting with a saddle fitter, it may be best to steer clear. 

- Not listening to your needs: This is huge, after all, you are the one purchasing and riding this saddle! Your opinion and preferences do matter. Keep in mind the fitter is only human and can't make the impossible happen, but they should take the time to hear what you are looking for. 

-Rude: Rudeness is a huge red flag. If the potential fitter does not treat you with kindness, I would suggest moving on. This is supposed to be a positive experience and a learning experience for you also! It is easier to connect with someone when they are nice. 

-Pushy: Again, you are not looking for a car salesman. You are trying to do right by your horse and find the best fit possible. At this point, the saddle fitter should not show bias towards one saddle or the other. They should not let their personal feelings stand in the way of the right saddle for the customer. They should also not push a specific brand or type of saddle on the customer just because they prefer it or because they sell only that brand. At the end of the day, if you don't find the perfect one, they should be ok with that and not force you into something that doesn't work for you. Like we always say here at the shop, we would rather not sell a saddle than sell a customer one that doesn't work. 

-Not wanting to answer questions: A professional saddle fitter will want to share their knowledge. It is supposed to be what they are passionate about. They are performing a service to better a horse and their rider, if they act bothered or avoid questions, this may not be the person to choose. 

- Not explaining: Your saddle fitter should explain the process through the whole appointment. It is important for you to understand what is going on and what makes a saddle a good or bad fit. During an appointment, we have the customer feel everything we feel. It is a great bonding experience with your horse and it is a great learning experience. 

-Padding to fit: We totally understand that in some cases, a pad is the best option to help a saddle fit. However, that should not be the first go to. Here at our shop, we strive to find the best fit possible, before adding any sort of shim pad. A shim pad is designed to help fill in for conformational flaws, it should not be used as a gimmick to just "fix" any saddle fit. Having a shim pad or something similar in place when it is not needed will cause more damage than good to your horse's back. 

-Not exploring all options: Currently, the saddle industry is taking a big hit from COVID so shops have been struggling to keep a good variety in stock. However, the fitter should explore as many options possible to ensure you get the best saddle. If a fitter is quick to just try and one saddle and call it good, you may want to seek out other options. It is good to be understanding about the circumstances, but they should still be willing to try a variety on. This goes back to the personal preference of the saddle fitter. Just because I like a certain saddle brand, does not mean it is the right one for a customer. Therefore, I would try on other brands, even if they weren't my personal favorite. 

Questions to ask before scheduling and during the appointment

1. Why do clients like them? A good pointer we can give is to check reviews. Why do other clients like them? Check Google, Facebook, Facebook Groups, and their Website. Make sure you do your research and don't be afraid to be specific with your questions. It is also wise to work with a busy fitter. You obviously want to be able to get an appointment scheduled, but booked out fitters are considered reputable. 

2. Ask about training and experience: 

-How long have you been in the industry? 

It is good to have someone who is experienced in the industry and is knowledgeable with all the different brands, trees, and variations that are offered. 

-What kind of training have you had? 

Sometimes saddle fitters can be certified, but that doesn't always make them better than one who is not. Saddle fitting is a hands on technique and it doesn't take a certificate to make an experienced fitter. But it is important to get an idea of who you are working with. You would probably feel more comfortable working with someone with years of experience/training then someone who has only been doing it a few months. 

-What common fitting challenges do you see with certain breeds of horses?

Back to the part about saddle fitters wanting to share their knowledge, this will help you learn more about the fitter. If they disregard your question and don't want to answer, this may be a red flag. I feel like I would want someone who is willing to talk about previous challenges to help the customer learn. 

3. Why?

Don't be afraid to ask "why" a  lot during your appointment or before booking. When it comes down to it, you are making a huge investment. It is important for you to know why these things work the way they do and why a certain saddle works or doesn't fit your horse. 

4. Do you have a return policy or warranty?

It is always good to ask about a return policy or if the saddle comes with a warranty. Some saddle makers do not offer a warranty, but many do and it is important to know in case of any incidents that cause damage to the saddle. Most commonly, saddle makers offer a 5 year warranty on their tree, but it does vary. Having this information ensures that you are prepared for whatever the future holds. Asking about a return policy is always a good idea. Sometimes, the saddle that works for your horse isn't always the most comfortable for you. It is important to know what steps to take if it doesn't end up working for you. Some shops do not offer a return policy or if they do, they do charge a restocking fee. So it is also worth asking if they offer a trial program before deciding. 

These are great questions and steps to take to make sure you choose a good saddle fitter. We truly care about your experience and safety. We want you to get the best fitting saddle, no matter who you choose as your fitter. Don't forget to do your research and take time in picking a fitter. Having a good fitting saddle will make the world of difference for you and your horse, don't let one bad apple ruin that for you.