Sue’s in Saddlery

02/07/2025

02/06/2025

Which tree is going to reduce pressure and distribute the rider’s weight better, and why?

Before I share the upcoming RIDER WEIGHT & THE TREE post, answer this question.

There is a lot of talk — and confusion! — about sizing riders appropriately, especially on short backed horses.

When the rider needs a seat that extends past T-18, the default is to make the seat too small for the rider… but does this actually benefit the horse?

In the next post, we are going to discuss the factors that should be considered when choosing a seat size for the rider… and I guarantee you’ll be surprised to hear that it isn’t what most saddle fitters recommend.

Stay tuned 📺

01/05/2025

12/29/2024

12/17/2024

12/17/2024

Great visuals on checking saddle placement and shoulder and cinch checks.

*The saddle should sit even in front and back, this image shows a downward slope to the hind.

09/03/2024

A before and after from the archives! I take tracings of your horse at every fitting to monitor progress and track changes. 📈

These tracings are from a 4y/o mare who hadn’t been started under saddle but was ready as of March 21st. As you can see, the entire body has broadened and filled out in a matter 4 months. This is what fitters mean when they say “young horses need fittings more often.” They can change in the matter of a week! And yes, some of those changes can take a great fitting saddle to a horrible fitting saddle – just as was the case here… this horse needed a new saddle.

08/18/2024

07/06/2024

05/02/2024

Thinker Thursday. I really like this info graphic!

03/27/2024

03/25/2024

We could not be more excited to announce that Sponsored Rider Heidi Berry has passed her Level 3 (4*) FEI Dressage test last weekend at the FEI Transfer Up course and exam at the 2024 CDI Ornago on March 14-16th.

https://www.eurodressage.com/2024/03/16/twelve-judges-pass-fei-transfer-course-2024-cdi-ornago

Pictured today is Heidi on her up and coming 5 year old Dutch Harness Horse, Only Imagine (Otis). Otis currently rides in a Thorowgood T8 Dressage saddle as it is one of the most adjustable dressage saddles for young, developing horses as they grow and change.

03/23/2024

02/17/2024

STARTER PACK: MY SADDLE PAD TWISTS/MOVES

🟢Brought to us by .us

As a kid, we learn that the round peg goes through the round hole, the square peg goes through the square hole, and so on…

As teenagers, we women learn that “curvy” jeans do not fit a “straight” hip profile, and I seriously have doubts that “mom jeans” fit anyone…

As an older adult, you realize that comfortable shoes that fit your feet are far more important than cute/expensive/sexy/crippling high heels that don’t…

THE MORAL TO THE STORY
Matching shape to shape is incredibly important for both comfort and functionality.

Stability in the saddle, saddle pad, half pad, girth, and even the rider comes from matching the shapes of these products to the horse as well as each other.

In my experience:

If your saddle pad shape doesn’t match the horse’s back shape or your half pad shape, the pad(s) MOVE.

If your saddle tree doesn’t match your horse’s shape, your saddle MOVES, no matter how much you flock it or adjust it.

If your girth doesn’t match your horse’s shape, the saddle MOVES and the horse is uncomfortable/girthy.

If the rider doesn’t fit the shape of the saddle (or vice versa), the rider MOVES and is unstable.

SHAPE IS EVERYTHING.

02/16/2024