Saddle Fitting

If you would like to book an appointment, please fill in the Risk Assessment/Booking Form which will automatically put you on to my waiting list. Once the form is filled in, I will issue a date when I’m in the area due to the amount of forms I receive and other work commitments this can take up to 2-3 weeks. Link to the form can be found below.

***At present I’m working on 10+ weeks for new customers and approx. 4-6 weeks for regular existing customers*** However you may be slotted in earlier if there are any cancellations in your area. Customers awaiting delivery of new saddles, please be assured that I have kept appointments available for when they arrive from the manufacturers.

I would like to thank all of my customers for their continued support.

Risk Assessment & Booking Form

Helen is a Society of Master Saddlers Registered Master Saddle Fitter and Registered Qualified Bridle Fitter with over 15 years experience. Since 2014 has been an assessor for the SMS Qualified Saddle Fitting Assessment and during 2018 was part of the working party who wrote the SMS Qualified Bridle Fitting Qualification. Having both your saddle and bridle fitted is important for both you and your horse, whether you are dreaming of competing at Badminton Horse Trials, Hickstead, HOYS or just wanting to enjoy your horse at home and out hacking.

The saddle must fit your horse to allow freedom of movement, comfort and to let the horse fulfil it’s potential. It is just as important for the saddle to fit the rider. If the saddle is too large/small for the rider, then they will not be comfortable, effective or secure in the saddle. To ensure the best fit for horse and rider, Helen works closely with a number of trainers, vets, osteopaths and other equestrian specialists.

The equestrian world has become increasingly more aware of bridle fitting over the last few years. The look of the horse’s head can be greatly improved with a well fitting and suitable style of bridle. More importantly though is the comfort and welfare of the horse. A well fitting bridle will reduce pressure on the horse’s face and allow the horse to work comfortably.

  • £65 per horse for assessment of horse and 1 existing saddles, plus £1.20 per mile for travelling (charged in one direction only and split if seeing more than one customer). Price includes VAT.
  • £30 per extra saddle for the same horse, seen at the same appointment. Price includes VAT.
  • Due to demand, appointment lead time can often be 10+ weeks.
  • All cancellations within 48 hours of the appointment are subject to a £40 cancellation fee. Price includes VAT.
  • Areas are grouped on days for Saddle Fitting appointments.
  • Please phone 07782 310649 to discuss your requirements.
  • A range of new saddles are kept in stock, however it is not possible to stock a saddle which will fit every horse. We endeavour to bring a carefully selected range of saddles to the saddle fitting for you to try. If we do not have anything suitable, then you will not be charged another assessment charge on a return visit, just the travel charge.
  • £50 per horse for assessment of horse and previously fitted saddle, plus £1.20 per mile for travelling (charged in one direction only and split if seeing more than one customer). Assessments are considered as a follow up appointment if the horse and saddle have been assessed within the last 12 months. If over 12 months or a different horse or saddle then the appointment is considered as an initial assessment. Prices include VAT.
  • £30 per extra saddle for the same horse, seen at the same appointment. Price includes VAT.
  • All cancellations within 48 hours of the appointment are subject to a £40 cancellation fee. Price includes VAT.
  • It is good practice to regularly monitor the fit of your saddle and check for any signs of discomfort from your horse.
  • Saddles should be checked every 6-9 months depending upon the amount of work the horse is doing; as horses change shape with work and age.
  • When buying a new saddle, it should be checked in 8-12 weeks after being fitted (depending upon the horse’s workload) – this follow up is including in the initial saddle fitting charge when you purchase a saddle from HR Saddlery, you will just pay the travel expenses. Any flocking adjustments on a new saddle purchased from HR Saddlery, that may be required at this follow up visit are also included in the initial saddle fitting charge.
  • Please only use the saddle on the horse to which it was fitted, as using it on another horse can considerably alters it’s shape and lead to problems.
  • Take down a number of details, including age, breed, height and any conformational features that may affect the saddle fitting. Please view our Privacy Policy to ensure you are happy with how we collect, store and use your personal information.
  • Assess horse while stood square.
  • Take a template of the horses back.
  • Assess the horse’s existing saddle or short list new saddles while stood square.
  • Assess the horse under saddle. While also allowing the rider to try new saddles for their comfort.
  • Reassess the horses back after ridden work.
  • Please allow 1 – 1 ½ hours for the saddle fitting process.
  • If you have a young horse or one coming back in to work following injury/rehabilitation and would like the saddle fitted prior to the horse being broken in/ridden again, then obviously some of these processes won’t be able to be done. In this situation the initial steps are followed and if possible the horse is seen under saddle on the lunge. Once the horse is in ridden work it is important that the saddle is reassessed with the rider on. As the horse continues its education the saddle will need to be reassessed a number of times as the horse will change shape a lot. It is not unusual for a young horse to grow out of it’s first, and even second, saddle once it starts to mature with work. Helen often recommends fitting a synthetic saddle with adjustable gullet plate for a young horse while it matures.
  • Riding hat up to the present safety standard and suitable boots for riding in. For insurance purposes without these I will be unable to allow you to get on the horse for the saddle fitting process.
  • The rider or if the horse is shared then preferably both riders should be present.
  • The horse should be dry and clean. Which allows the marks left on the horses back after riding to be observed as an indication of bearing surface or movement.
  • Hard flat area to stand the horse up for assessment.
  • An arena or flat safe area to ride the horse.
  • If the saddle is going to be used for jumping, then a couple of jumps are required.
  • If you do not have suitable facilities for the saddle fitting then we can arrange to meet at a local yard or riding centre. Alternatively we can arrange to meet at an indoor arena five minutes from HR Saddlery.
  • Purchasing a saddle is a big decision and therefore requires careful consideration – fit, cost and comfort all need to be balanced.
  • Small stock of second hand leather saddles are held, but due to the popularity of the internet most people now sell second hand saddles on line.
  • HR Saddlery do not deal in second hand synthetic saddles.
  • All second hand leather saddles sold by HR Saddlery are checked for safety and necessary repairs are carried out before they are sold. Therefore the price of these second hand leather saddles usually starts around the £500.
  • If you wish to source a small (two or three) selection of second hand saddles and then book a saddle fitting appointment for Helen to assess their fit then this can be arranged at the standard saddle fitting charges. These saddles would be assessed both for the fit and also for safety and any necessary work advised on. HR Saddlery accept no responsibility for an loss or damage caused by a second hand saddle sourced from a third party.
  • Selected second hand saddles taken to sell on a 30% commission basis.