- Help the horse: A saddle should help a horse carry the weight of a rider safely and comfortably,
while not impeding a horse’s natural movement, regardless of the maneuver being
performed. - Help the rider: A saddle should aid the rider in maintaining the proper position to
effectively communicate with their horse.
FAQ
Saddle Fit
What are the two most important things a saddle should do?
Why is saddle weight more important than rider weight?
Because a rider can use their knees and ankles as shock absorbers to maintain a balanced position, which helps the horse, but a saddle is essentially dead weight strapped to the horse's back.
Why is saddle fit so important for the horse?
So the horse doesn’t experience any discomfort or get injured. In training, an ill-fitting saddle can make the correct thing (certain maneuvers for example) feel like a punishment.
Why won't a mold or cast of my horse's back guarantee a perfect saddle fit?
Because the horse's back changes with movement. For example, a reining horse's back during a rundown will be flat, but then becomes extremely round during the sliding stop.
How much can a saddle pad help with saddle fit?
A lot can be done with a pad if one is knowledgeable; however, it can make things worse if done improperly or the wrong kind of padding is used.
Why is the Leson Security Blanket so good for saddle fit compared to other saddle pads?
Because the EVA foam that it's made of has the ability to conform, getting thinner where there’s more pressure and filling in where there's a void.