Pletch Eventing and Saddle Fitting

03/26/2025

*NEW PRODUCT**
Super pumped to announce the addition of three new product lines to my saddle fitting service.
CORRECT CONNECT
KENT and MASTERS
THOROWGOOD

These products have been added to accommodate more price points for my customers, cover more back shapes, and help people into the correct connect girths with an opportunity to demo and without the hassle of finding the correct length!

My #1 goal is a happy, healthy back and horse so you can be a happy, balanced rider who doesn’t have to worry about their tack.

Don’t forget my #1 ride or die, Bliss of London, Loxley, and Cavaletti. Custom saddles, bridles, girths, leathers, and more.

Visit my website for more info!www.pletchequine.com

03/25/2025

My Annie has been working hard on her dressage skills and deserved something pretty for the show ring this year. The bling is 😍, but let’s talk about how this saddle is constructed….

Built on the warmblood adjustable tree- (Annie has currently been going in my demo 😬 . It will be available as used soon!!) This tree has been a game changer for her as her body has changed after a baby. This saddle was also made with the new Evolve panel…again with baby and age, she has significantly more “drop” from her tree point tracing to her T18 measument requiring a deep back gusset. This interchangeable panel system will give me the ability to swap the panel out for when her offspring is ready for the ring!

After riding in my demo and working Annie towards second level, I wanted a deeper seat than what the WB Adjustable was offering. So I asked, and Bliss delivered. Behold the “deep seat”!

Cannot wait to order a noseband to match!!

03/10/2025

Vets and Saddle Fitters should be cohesive team. I am so thankful I have an excellent team for my own eventing program, but as a saddle fitter, you also get “my team”always there for any of my questions. These incredible professionals include: saddle fitting mentors, a vet, a chiro, and a body worker. Thankful for a vet clinic that is taking a wholistic approach for these athletes!

Saddle fit is one of the most important aspects of keeping your horse sound, happy, and performing well. It's a topic that has come more into focus over the last decade, and research has shown how a poorly fitting saddle impacts every aspect of a horse's gait and mobility. Beyond poor performance, use of improperly fitting saddles can cause tissue damage to bone, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and fascia that affect horses for their lifetime.

Saddle fit issues aren't always obvious and it takes extensive training to be able to identify and properly address each horse's needs. It's important to note the difference between a saddle brand representative (i.e. salesman) and an independent saddle fitter - similar to the difference between a realtor and a home inspector. A saddle rep can help show you options for sale and decide which could be appropriate for your lifestyle, but an unbiased saddle fitter should be consulted to inspect whether the saddle structurally is appropriate for the horse.

A true saddle fitter will have completed formal training not affiliated with a brand of saddle, and should be able to confidently discuss what anatomy the saddle interacts with as that at the core is what dictates fit. It's also important to remember that just like how our bodies change shape over time based on fitness and age, a horse's body will also change shape. With that in mind, saddle fit should be rechecked every 6-12 months and it's very possible that a horse will need to change to a different saddle during their career.

Our horses are counting on us to purchase tack that allows them to be ridden without inflicting pain or injury. They can't do their jobs in ill fitting saddles any more than we could be athletic while wearing shoes the wrong size and shape for our feet.

03/06/2025

Did you know that as your horse ages or their workloads change, their saddle fit needs can change dramatically?

Saddle fit is an integral part of our equine partners wellbeing, yet many of us aren’t too sure where to start when it comes to examining saddle fit. Join us for an educational event to learn more. Anyone and everyone is welcome!

Highlights:
• Dr. Lydia Mudd will be discussing the intricacies of the equine back anatomy and physiology
• Dr. Mudd will share how saddle fit impacts performance, health, and contributes to injury
• Gina Pletch, an independent saddle fitter, will perform a saddle fitting demo.
• As an independent fitter, Gina can work with all brands of saddles. Brand reps are taught to work with their brand, Gina was trained independently to learn in depth about the anatomy of the horse and ideal saddle fit
• Dr. Mudd and Gina will discuss how their fields overlap and how we can work together to ensure our horses are pain free
• Dr. Mudd and Gina will host a Q&A

We are so excited for this event! Please use the sign up genius link below to RSVP!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044CA5AF22A6FD0-55429963-april (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044CA5AF22A6FD0-55429963-april)

02/18/2025

My life and barn mangers keeping our spirits alive in the year of February.

12/26/2024

Better late than never, right? I had a great Christmas morning with my usual volunteer barn crew❤️. Feeling that love helped my heart after a very difficult Christmas Eve of having to say goodbye to my side kick, French Fry. It’s going to be very different around here. As the days are going by, I truly didn’t realize how much we adapted this barn to accommodate to his lifestyle and 600(+) # personality. Rest easy, my buddy.

12/22/2024

Congrats to the Annie and the Buehler family on the acquisition of Finn. This boy has been in my program for so many years. While they are a couple hours away, I am still so happy to keep him in the family!!!

11/27/2024

Friday Dec 6th-Sunday 8th- I have the following spots left!
Friday 8:45,9:30, 5:00, 5:45
Saturday 5:45
Sunday 4:15, 5:00, 5:45

11/14/2024

I have dreaded this day for years. I knew it would break my friend’s heart. Selfishly, if I could have kept him alive forever, I would have for her. It is hard to say goodbye to the one who has greeted you all day, every day when you walk down the sidewalk. He has been a staple around here for about as long as I’ve been here. Horses do amazing things for us humans who love to bottle things up and shove them down deep. Provide us with comfort, necks to cry on when you have no words, friends, and love, and common understanding. They are expensive, and heart breaking, and the best all in one. On Tuesday, Ducky was peacefully laid to rest in the woods with the rest of the herd. He and Lindsey shared 23 years together. He was loved so hard by so many people, and we all feel a bit like a shadow of ourselves right now.

11/05/2024

JC: Contendress
USEA: LCN Contendress #230738
15.3h 7 yo Mare
Nugget is ready to continue building her strength, education, and experience. She has competed starter level with an AA at local schooling and 1 recognized event.
She schools all the XC questions and show jump grid work- as seen in her video. She is not spooky or difficult and has the proper foundation. She is straight, understands bend, and is currently working on better lift through her shoulders and push from behind. She is bold, quick footed, and fun to jump with great rythm and ever improving rideability. She is a quick learner, but needs some time to get stronger in her body and balance. I believe in the right hands, she will turn into a lovely, winning novice or training horse. Currently being ridden by a professional while owner has gone away to school. Good feet, goes in front shoes, and cross ties for farrier. Turns out in a group of mares. She can be a bit grumpy about her stall space but generally isnt “mare-ish”. She would like a rider who can be a good leader for her. Ideally someone who has ridden through novice/training or has brought along a green horse. Not hot, more of a kick ride but has her own motor. Will hack out alone, but prefers a friend. Facility has full XC field, show jump ring, and indoor available for test rides.
Lafayette, IN
7🥕
Please text Gina at 765 427 7045 with questions or inquiries

10/15/2024

Take the time to pause. (Said to myself)

10/09/2024

SAVE THE DATE❣️❣️ DEC 6-8 Jessica Bortner-Harris will be here for biomechanics, flat, show jump, and (weather permitting) XC lessons. Entry form will go out to regular email list. If you would like added, please email me @ [email protected] Last chance in 2024 to start working on your crookedness, tune up your straightness, or get some valuable eyes on you for flat and jumping!

10/08/2024

Feeling this. I appreciate all my clients (established and future) and your patience. Please bear with me on scheduling. Unfortunately I am only one person who has to drive horses to the vet unexpectedly, ride training horses, respond to messages, schedule lessons and saddle appts, make orders, research and collaborate on difficult cases, and generally keep our little world turning. I am perpetually catching up these days. Just know I am doing my best! With that being said, if you do not get a reply from me via appt request form, text, or email- please reach out again!

08/26/2024

OUT OF “OFFICE”! If you are trying to reach me for saddle appts or lesson scheduling, I am out of town for the American Eventing Championships and will not be answering scheduling emails. Please expect to hear from me after Aug 30. Thanks!!

08/11/2024

If you have to work on a Sunday, better start your day with Beatrice.