Saddle Fit Basics: Protecting Your Horse From Ill Fitting Tack 

The most important equestrian video I have ever seen. This explains why my horse bucked me off. My ignorance of saddle fit caused my Buckskin QH mare to "bronc" me off resulting in a broken back, total hip replacement, and upcoming spinal surgery.

This video has just explained SO SO SO MUCH about my OTTB's pinched cranial nerve, sensitive shoulders and unwillingness to move forward when tacked up. We've been working on everything slowly so I am not riding her consistently at all. This explains so much.

This is the absolute best saddle fitting video I have seen tonight!! I loved how you drew on the horse showing the zones!!! I have been just riding mine bareback because I dont want a ill fitting saddle and hurting my horse and I wasn't sure about the placement either thank you so very much for a well detailed videos!

Amazing video! Thank you for putting this information out there!

Magnificent video!

I am really fond of Schleese and have learned a lot from his explanations. My experiences as saddlefitcoach are a bit different about the front tree-angle. The movement of the scapula is not straight back, as it is seen in standing. It moves towards the body/the withers and flattens. If you just follow the standing shoulder, often the saddles are to wide. Every horse is different and has different history. Holes behind the shoulderblade makes it more difficult. Very often, with a correct fitted saddle, you will have a fronttree that has the angle of a nice filled trapezium and the front of the saddle, where cushions come together with rest of the saddle; the front line of the saddle, follows the angle of the shoulder. The cushions than, are necessary to match or level missing muscles or level movement. I personally don't like the reducing in the cussions in front. Often it is not the correct place and most of the time the saddle 'parks' itself there, behind the scapula. That will cause problems again. It pinches more and more and water will stay in the soft tissues. Cussions can be over the scapula, as long they follow the build of the horse and are soft (still dence enough) to follow the movement. Exceptions on above are often Frisians and Arabians, or mixes. The shoulder movement is wider. In another video Schleese explains it a bit more like I did now. Of course: a saddle should be checked at least once or twice a year. Your horses change during their life! Learn yourself and work with a saddler/saddlefitcoach.

Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you . The pen image is so helpful .

very nice video. this could be another reason my horse bucked me off. will def be using these tips

Excellent video!! Thank you for posting this. 💕

Great video! So much important information. Thank you .

This was a very interesting video, thanks for sharing

Excellent! Thank you!

I love this horse lipping the lady the whole time. I have a really nice pleasure saddle I have been thinking about selling. It is definately for a large horse. This makes me feel I should take it to potentual buyers instead of having them come see it. I would rather see it go to a horse it actually fits.

Brilliant video

Excellent video Thank you so much

Thank you so much!

Ty

Wow very nice video

Veery help full information sir

Can you please come and do a saddle fitting for me? It's incredibly hard to get a good saddle fitting done in Ireland!