22/10/2026
Now you know what to expect from a saddle consultation, how do you know when it's time to book your fitter to come?
You may be thinking 'that's easy, my fitter tells me to book a check every 4-6 months!' While as a rule, that is a good general guide to keep in your head, the reality is many factors can influence saddle fit, and it's really important to be able to recognise when things might need adjusting.
Lets first consider why a saddle that was originally fitted to your horse, might need adjustment:
1. Flock moves and compresses over time -
While a well maintained, wool flocked saddle is generally my preference (for English saddles); with repeated use, over time the flock in your saddle's panels will start to compress down in the areas of greatest pressure. This is most obviously demonstrated in a saddle that has been resting directly on a metal saddle stand for any length of time. Look at the panels and you will see obvious divots where the pressure from the metal bars have pressed into the panel. This type of damage can easily go unnoticed, but can have a significant impact on how your weight is distributed over your horse's back.
Similarly if the rider sits unevenly, or the horse has underlying issues that result in an asymmetric gait pattern, the result can be that the flock on one panel becomes more compressed than the other, and over time this can result in the saddle slipping to one side, or restricting the horse's movement.
Eventually the flock in any saddle will become so compressed that it will no longer be able to absorb concussion effectively, if the panels of your saddle feel hard or lumpy, this is a sign it may be time for them to be fully reflocked; a job which requires the saddle to be taken away, the panels fully removed and all flock replaced with fresh wool, before the saddle is returned for a fitting consultation.
If your saddle doesn't have flocked panels, you may be feeling rather smug that this doesn't apply... However, saddles with CAIR, HART, FLAIR and foam panels all still need to be regularly checked for damage and wear. Foam can compress and deteriorate over time and air filled panels need regular maintenance.
2. Saddles can twist, warp and break -
We've all been taught the dangers of riding in a saddle with a broken tree, but how often do you check your saddle's tree... and do you even know how to do this correctly? You may think a broken tree only happens if the saddle is dropped or rolled on, but older saddles can be at risk of breaking with very little impact and all too often we buy second hand saddles where the history in unknown!
Even if the tree in your saddle is sound and strong, it will inevitably be subjected to uneven forces as horse and rider asymmetries are so common. Over time these forces can result in uneven stretching of the leather, which can result in uneven alignment of the panels or seat and can even warp or twist the tree inside the saddle.
These are all issues that will impact on your horse's comfort and straightness can cause the saddle to twist or slip; and in the case of a broken tree, can cause long lasting injury.
3. Horses change shape -
Probably the most common reason for a saddle to no longer fit is that the horse has either gained or lost 'condition' - be that due to muscle development/atrophy or (more commonly) seasonal changes in weight.
When fitting a saddle to a young horse, or a horse who is lacking topline, it's important to recognise that any saddle which is fitted to them at the time, will likely need adjustment as they develop and fill out. Is some cases the saddle you start your youngster in may not be suitable for them in the long term, it can be difficult to judge exactly how they are going to develop. In these cases its important that more regular saddle checks are maintained, the frequency of these will depend on the level of work the horse is in and the speed at which they develop.
Horses who gain and lose weight with the seasons will need their saddle adjusting at multiple points throughout the year, in some cases the frequency can be minimised with the use of remedial pads which can be adjusted by the owner as needed, but these should always be used under the guidance of a qualified saddle fitter.
Horses can change shape dramatically and quickly, especially if there is a sudden change to their work load or diet. Long distance Endurance riders often have to make adjustments to their saddles during a competition, to avoid pressure points or restrictions occurring. So if your horse goes from minimal ridden work over winter to long hacks and regular competitions in the Summer, expect them to need a couple of saddle adjustments during that time.
So while a maintenance check every 4-6 months is a good guide, it's important to acknowledge that is ONLY A GUIDE and you need to consider the individual circumstances of you and your horse.
Next time I'll discuss some common signs that it's time to get things checked, if you can think of any, why not list them below!
