SADDLE FITTING
Horse Saddle
Fitting in Auckland
NEED A SADDLE FITTED?
Holistic Saddle Fitter
Experience a thorough and holistic saddle fitting process in Auckland that includes both static and dynamic assessments.
ABOUT
Saddle Fitting
We delve into the relationship between your horse's physique and the saddle's shape, size, style, and features. Additionally, we take into account what's placed under the saddle, as well as the rider's position in motion.
Equine & rider comfort
A well-fitted saddle ensures that the tree and panels adeptly distribute the rider's weight during motion, preserving the horse's back from undue pressure.
The rider's comfort is equally important – a proper fit allows you to harmonise with your horse's movement while your joints absorb shocks without strain.
Empowering through education
Learn about fitting issues, when a fitting is needed, and how to address minor adjustments yourself to maintain a harmonious saddle fit.
Resources
Explore our collection of educational videos that provide insights into our approach during fitting appointments. Make sure to check out our FAQs as well.
SADDLE FITTING PROCESS IN AUCKLAND
Having saddle fitters on your equine team is essential
Our tailored approach to saddle fitting in Auckland involves a two-part process including unmounted and ridden assessments.
A level surface is essential, and shelter might be necessary in questionable weather conditions. You will need to bring your riding gear and any accessories like breastplates, half pads, or changeable gullets.
PART ONE
Information Gathering
This assessment includes relevant questions and measurements of your horse.
Existing saddles are examined, or suitable options are chosen for test rides. Any accompanying accessories are assessed for suitability and adjusted as needed to enhance the fit. Make sure you bring these along to be included in the assessment.
PART TWO
Ridden Assessment
We will assess your horse's walk, trot, and canter, ideally in a spacious area suitable for a 20m circle.
If you intend to jump in the saddle it is recommended to see it ridden in over a few fences (a bigger space is required with jumps).
This phase may involve multiple mount and dismount sessions to achieve optimal balance.
For your safety, appropriate helmet and footwear are essential when riding.
Collaborative Approach
If other equine professionals identify saddle fit concerns or your horse has specific health considerations like Kissing Spine, please share their notes before your appointment. You're welcome to involve physiotherapists, coaches, or friends during your fitting session.
Ready to achieve saddle perfection?
FEES
Saddle fitting fees and more
Saddle Fitting Appointment Costs
A Saddle Fitting appointment is $190 (plus travel) per horse (1 or 2 saddles) and up to 75 mins. The same price is charged for two horses who share a single saddle between them.
If extra time is needed then it is charged at $20 per 15 mins.
Materials are charged separately. Wool is charged at $0.60c per gram used, Bates/ Wintec Easy Change Gullet plates are $59.90 each, Bates/ Wintec Cair Shims are $15-$22.
Adjustments such as gullet changes, stitching repair work, or other recommended work will be discussed and quoted for before being undertaken.
Test Rides
A Saddle Fitting appointment is $190 (plus travel) for up to 120 mins of time. This may include a selection of saddles brought along, and some self-selected options.
If a secondhand saddle is purchased, materials fees may also apply on top of the test.
If a new saddle is purchased, the test ride fee in included in the saddle price, as are any materials or gullet adjustments.
New Saddle First Check
A new saddle 1st Check Saddle Fitting appointment is $100 plus travel, up to 60 mins of time, and materials used (within 16 weeks of purchasing a NEW saddle through Auckland Saddle Fit)
Return Fitting
This applies to a horse/rider combination who have already had a fitting and has been left with some saddle options to privately find and purchase.
This has a time limit of 6 weeks from the fitting, and is charged at $100 plus travel for 60 minutes. If extra time is needed then it is charged at $20 per 15 minutes.
Materials are charged separately.
Not all situations fit in a box, so if yours isn’t covered above, please make contact for a price.
Travel Fee
A travel fee will be added to your invoice to cover a portion of our travel cost to your yard. From Waimauku, <45km travel ($10) >45km ($20) per visit. Fittings at Agility Equine (Coatesville) no fee.
Cancellation Policy & Booking Fee
Auckland Saddle Fit is a small company with limited spaces. So that appointments are given to those that are genuinely after a saddle fit, a deposit is required and a booking fee & cancellation fee policy will be sent to you before your booking is confirmed, which may be non-refundable.
Please read our Terms of trade
FAQs
Your saddle fitting queries answered
What brand of saddles do you fit?
Auckland Saddle Fit works with all brands of saddles. A saddle is assessed by the shape and size of it's tree and panel, and whether it can work for the shape of the horse and rider. Wool and Cair panels offer the more adjustability, but latex panels can be rebalanced with the use of shim pads.
How often should my saddle be fitted?
Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) recommend that as a 'gold standard' saddles should be fitted every 6 months.
Some combinations will need a fitting on a more regular basis (shared saddles between horses or heavy workloads), and others may only need annual checks. Auckland Saddle Fit recommends taking regular weight measurements around the girth area to check for weight/ muscle/ age/ work related changes, to help indicate when a fitting is due.
Why is a saddle fitting important?
A saddle fitting is similar to a car service. We want to address any small changes that could cause a problem, before they start. A well fitting saddle keeps the hard parts of the tree off the sensitive parts of the horse. It also keeps the riders weight kindly distributed throughout the tree and panel. When the balance changes, the saddle can start to move/rock and cause painful pressure points.
Saddle fittings are also used to pick out suitable saddle choices when you change your horse, or need a new (or new to you) saddle for an existing horse.
Don't forget, saddle fitting also incorporates how the rider fits in the saddle.
Can I share one saddle between two horses?
If the saddle is a suitable choice for both horses, then the answer is Yes. The widest horse is the one that must be fitted to, and then shim pads can be used to balance and fit the saddle to the second horse.
What is a good fit for the horse?
A good fit for the horse allows the tree and panels to distribute the riders weight in motion as kindly as possible, and protects the sensitive areas of the horses back.
What is a good fit for the rider?
A good fit for the rider keeps your body as still as possible to stay with the horses movement, and allows your joints to absorb shock without being damaged.
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