Dynamic Equine Saddle Fitting

10/04/2024

Dynamic Saddle Fitting wants to do our part to help victims of Hurricane Helene in WNC. I’m partnering this effort with my saddle-fitting colleague Brittany Bird in Camden, SC.

We’re donating 50% of every saddle we sell to the rescue efforts. The money will to go directly to locals who are in the thick of getting money and supplies into WNC so we are assured it will be put to use helping those affected by the storm.
This offer is for LOCAL customers only, we can’t ship saddles because time is of the essence. But I will do the fitting for free.

09/20/2024

I’ve been meaning to give my awesome client Megan Frenzel a shout-out! - Her girls work hard, but listen to their horses and enjoy the process to achieve their goals.( This is a synopsis of Megan’s earlier post, but I wanted to share it because it’s great!)
Delia’s pony went lame early in the season and Lily’s horse became completely unnerved when the moved up to 2nd level. They decided they needed to step back and reassess what their goals were and where they were with training
Brittany Bird and I checked saddle fit and got their bits and bridles fitted and optimized.
Delia and LIly rode in and audited every clinic they could, and trained with every instructor willing to come to teach them but mindfully took a break from competing.. It was hard watching their friends compete while they were on the sidelines but they understood that dressage (and horses in general) is a long game and that the health and happiness of the horse is what truly matters.
After 10 months on the sidelines both pairs went down centerline at the Made in the Shade -Dressage Show, Jovee Pony Championships Both girls qualified for the regional championship in equitation, and Delia and Sam are qualified at 1st level and have been champion Junior Pony in the Jovee Pony Cup (finals tomorrow!).
Congrats to them for being patient with themselves and with their horses – the slow way is often the fastest way!

08/27/2024

This is Endurance Rider, Angie Lindberg who was looking for a new saddle for her Arabian Endurance horse, Ginger.

The Endurance Championships were held in Virginia last weekend so I gave her my demo saddle to try.
What better way to try it than during a championship 40-mile race?!

She rode in the Lovatt & Ricketts ‘Rubicon’ model. The Rubicon endurance saddle was specifically made for Arabian horses and horses with short and wide backs and small withers. Serge panels shape to the horse’s back better than leather and are grippier for the flat wide back.

Congrats to Angie and Ginger who did fantastic in the ride, finishing 3rd!

08/22/2024

Have you ever wondered why wool flocking is important to have in your saddle? We found this great explanation from Passier!

Passier panels are all filled with a special wool, which has unique advantages. Check out the video below!

08/14/2024

In between saddle fittings, I really like to give back to the community!

I have donated a lot of saddles to equestrian organizations and nonprofits. The latest one was this Youth Dressage Saddle to the SCDCTA in June.

My colleague, Brittany Bird Saddle Fitting, in South Carolina came up with the idea to make a young rider earn the saddle. The contestants had to compose a “Pick Me!” essay that included personal, academic, and equestrian accomplishments and goals, provide two references from an equine professional, and describe what they would do to give back to the horse community.

We are thrilled to announce that Isabella Lucarelli won the contest! And because we couldn’t pick just one winner, a second-place prize of a lovely Passier Bridle was given to Alexis Ryan!

Isabella has had quite a journey with her mare, Sugar. In early 2023, they competed in their first rated dressage show scoring in the high 60s and even earned a 70 in one class! But when Sugar’s behavior suddenly changed, they learned that Sugar had developed a serious fear of saddles. Working closely with her trainer, Isabella has helped Sugar get over her fear and together they are back in the show ring.

Alexis is a hardworking young equestrian, actively involved in the Aiken County Pony Club. She currently has her C1 certification and would like to get her A rating by the time she graduates high school. She volunteers often both within the USEA and Pony Club, maintains a 4.3 GPA, and aspires to become an exotic veterinarian.

Let’s congratulate both Isabella and Alexis for their achievements! We can’t wait to see these two in the show ring with their new Passier tack!

08/06/2024

Is it time for your saddle to have a check-up? 🤔

🐴Having another set of experienced and trained eyes on your saddle is a great way to make sure it lasts a lifetime!

Put your saddle on a yearly schedule just like your car's inspection!

08/06/2024

The toplines of very fit horses can be mistaken for atrophy when in fact they are by definition LEAN.

It's important to learn the difference. The horses competing at the upper levels of Eventing, for instance, have LEAN muscle.

Poor saddle fit can cause topline muscle atrophy to occur because the horse isn't able to use their back properly and efficiently.

07/29/2024

Are you thinking of shopping for a second-hand saddle? 🤔 Or wondering if your saddle is in good shape?

Check out the great post below about what needs to be on your saddle checking CHECKLIST! ✔️

🐴

07/11/2024

Make sure your bit fits!
Bridle fitting isn't just about the leather parts!

Feeling the bars of the horse's mouth (sharp or rounder) will influence the choice of bits. Make sure you are using the correct shape, width, and type of bit for your individual horse's mouth!

Not sure if your bit fits? Have a specialist check for you!

07/09/2024

I taught bit and bridle fitting to Mike Scott’s last 2 saddle-fitting students Karen Hackett and Callie Eisenhart in Camden last weekend. (I hope Mike will enjoy is well-deserved retirement!)

I always enjoyed coming back to the school here in Camden where I took the course 14 years ago.

It was also great to see my friends and colleague fitters Brittany Bird and Claire Aitken (thank you for taking photos).

Here I am explaining browband tightness and proper positioning of the browband.

Have you checked your browband lately?

07/03/2024

Your horse's saddle fit is very important .. but don't forget that a properly fitting BRIDLE goes hand in hand with saddle fit!

When your horse is comfortable and not distracted by pain or irritation from a poorly fitting bridle, they can focus on your aids and work properly!

06/26/2024

Do you wonder about when to have your saddle fit checked?

We recommend having it checked every 6 to 12 months to make sure your horse is comfortable and able to do what is being asked of him!

Incorrect saddle fit can affect how your horse moves and develops a topline, so be sure to make sure your saddle - and bridle! - are fitted to him!

How do I know when my saddle needs to be adjusted?

We’re going to take a brief detour to help answer this commonly asked question and talk about the Circle of Influence and its effect on your horse’s three-dimensional back shape.

When we refer to the ‘Circle of Influence’, we are referring to the dynamic network of professionals and factors that directly affect your horse’s health and welfare. The ‘Circle of Influences’ encompasses you, as the owner or rider, your trainer, veterinarian, nutritionist, bodyworkers, the farrier, tack specialists, etc. Each of these professionals - I’m going to refer to them as ‘aspects’ from hereon out - plays a critical role in ensuring the overall physical health of your horse.

Like an integrated welfare network, the ‘Circle of Influence’ demands unity and coordination among the different aspects.

Any change in one aspect—whether it’s training methods, tack changes, a new housing situation, or nutritional adjustments — will ripple through the entire system and will affect the shape of your horse’s three-dimensional back, prompting the need for….

…you guessed it, a saddle assessment!

A saddle alone cannot create a healthy back, we need all aspects in the horse’s care to work together seamlessly to accomplish that. But, a saddle can certainly contribute to maintaining a healthy back or contribute to a painful one. Saddle fitting is not a one-time occurrence; it’s an ongoing, dynamic process. It falls upon you as the owner or rider to detect changes that signal the need for assessment, a responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly.

By recognizing the synergy of the aspects within ‘The Circle of Influence’ and their effect on your horse physically, you can create a holistic approach to your horse’s care that prioritizes welfare at all times.

However, proactive care requires having the necessary knowledge to regularly assess your saddle’s fit—an indispensable skill for every rider and horse owner. It empowers you to identify and address issues promptly, ensuring your horse remains comfortable and healthy through all stages of life.

What’s holding you back from continuing your education? Let us know in the comment and let’s break down the barriers!

06/21/2024

Brita shares how you can easily check your girth to make sure it is fitting your horse properly.

Check for EVEN pressure along the front and back sides, including at the horse's sternum. Look for gaps due to uneven pressure.

Brita endorses the Correct Connect Comfort Relief Short Girth because it's designed to relieve pressure in all the right places.

Check how your girth fits today!

06/19/2024

Everyday use can cause the flocking in your saddle to shift, flatten out, and create uneven pressure on your horse's back.

Even small changes can make a huge difference.

We recommend having the flocking of your saddle checked every 6-12 months!

06/10/2024

🐴They say wet saddle pads make good horses... Well, while that may be true......sweat is not good for your saddle! 😱

It's very important to clean your saddle, especially in the summer, and especially the underside where it comes into contact with SWEAT!

The salt from sweat destroys leather. The little pimples are permanent and are damage to the leather. The sweat can make the leather harden like a board over time (NOT comfortable for the horse)!

So clean your saddle - or better yet call Dynamic Equine Saddle Fitting to come out and make sure your leather is in good working order today!

06/06/2024

Has this ever happened to you? We can't stress the importance of saddle fit to prevent your saddle from slipping back!

The announcers said they didn't think the horse minded that the saddle had slipped back! What do YOU think?!

05/30/2024

Here's what NOT to do to get your saddle to fit your horse! 😟

People will go to great lengths to make their saddle fit ... but the best thing to do is GET A QUALIFIED SADDLE
FITTER out to get it done right! 🐴

So, step AWAY from the duct tape and styrofoam and call us TODAY!
You (and your horse) will be glad you did!