A word about rigging position and back cinches.

If the shape of the bars match the shape of the horse’s back, the fit is like two spoons nestled together.  Unless it is held in the wrong place by a breast collar or crupper, the tree will move to sit where it fits properly and then stay there.  Riders tend to be overly concerned about rigging position being too far back so the latigos and cinch angle forward.  It may slant forward more than what the owner would prefer, which may make them think the saddle is too far back.  Some even move the saddle forward and hold it out of place with a breast collar to make the cinch stay vertical, causing saddle fit problems.  We maintain that if the tree fits the shape of the horse’s back, it doesn’t matter.  The rigging position won’t pull the saddle out of place if it fits well, even at center fire.  If it is a poorly fitting saddle, then there is no “curve-and-hollow” fit stopping the rigging from moving the saddle around.  If the saddle continually moves forward onto the shoulders so the cinch is vertical, it doesn’t fit well. 

A saddle rigged very forward on the bars (full or more) will pull down much more on the front of the bars, often impeding the shoulder blades from slipping under the bar tips as they should do when the leg is fully extended.  The same saddle with a rigging farther back allows much freer shoulder movement.  This goes counter to the “rig it forward to hold the saddle back so you get free shoulder movement” idea, but it has been shown to be a fact.  If there are problems at the back of the shoulders and the saddle is rigged full, moving the rigging back may solve the problem.
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A saddle that is double rigged is meant to have the cinch doing something, not just hanging in the air waiting to cause a wreck.  However, the back cinch will loosen up over the course of a ride.  Constructing the rigging so that it exerts its pull more centrally on the tree is a good thing.  For saddles rigged with the front cinch pulling mainly on the front of the saddle, doing the front cinch up tight increases pressure under the front bar pads and lifts the tree off at the back.  If the rider is not willing to continually tighten the back cinch to the point of contacting the horse, it is better to change the rigging so it will have a more central pull on the tree. 

On Sale

On Sale

Saddle Fitting Service

NZ$150.00 NZ$120.00

Saddle fitting service, Try before you buy.

Bring your horse to us – was $150, now just $120.

We can come to you – $120 + mileage (to cover travel cost and time).

Michelle has heard countless stories of riders spending thousands on saddles that end up not fitting properly. A poorly fitted saddle can cause endless problems — for both horse and rider. That’s why we offer our “try before you buy” saddle fitting service.

You’ll be able to:

• Sit in the saddle first and adjust the stirrups.
• Fit the saddle to your horse and check how it sits.
• Ride in it to make sure you feel comfortable and your horse is moving freely.
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It’s a simple way to be confident that your saddle truly fits — before you commit to buying.

To make an appointment, call or text 022 502 4013.

About our Saddle Fitting Service

Michelle has years of hands-on experience fitting both English and Western saddles. She can show you exactly how to fit your western saddle, bridle, and breastplate correctly – passing on all the tips, tricks, and “do’s and don’ts” to make sure your horse correctly fitted. Michelle can also take detailed measurements of your horse, giving a more accurate picture of fit. From those tracings, we can even custom-make a saddle to suit.

We also offer a “try before you buy” service that takes around an hour and a half.

• You’ll have the chance to sit in the saddle first and adjust the stirrups.
• Then we’ll fit the saddle to your horse, so you can see how it sits.
• Finally, you can ride in it — making sure you feel comfortable and your horse moves freely and happily too.

Before we book a visit, we’ll ask you a few simple questions. This helps us figure out whether we already have a saddle that’s likely to suit you and your horse. It saves time, keeps costs down for everyone, and gives you the best chance of finding a saddle that truly fits.

Please send us photos of your horse as well as you with your horse along with answers to these questions.

1. Horses breed type
2. Horses age
3. Horses height
4. Your height and weight
5. The inside measurement of your leg
6. Is your horse in work and well saddle trained?
7. Has your horse had a western saddle on before

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