After locating a good vet, a good farrier and a good source of hay, one of the more frustrating searches in a horseperson’s life is the quest for a good saddle fitter.  There aren’t a huge number of us around, and since we don’t usually advertise in the Yellow Pages, exactly how are you supposed to find a fitter – and more importantly, how do you find a fitter who knows their stuff?

Unfortunately, there’s no comprehensive database of independent fitters here in the US, and no universal governing body or association for fitters.  The UK’s Society of Master Saddlers website (www.mastersaddlers.co.uk) does have a list of Master/Qualified Saddlers and Qualified Saddle Fitters, but they’re thin on the ground here in the States:  only 20, spread out over only 10 states.  (By comparison, there are over 300 SMS retailers, saddlers, harness makers, allied trade members and qualified saddle fitters in the UK.  Doesn’t seem fair!)  There’s the Master Saddlers Association website (http://www.mastersaddlers.com/csfs.htm), and while some of those listed are independent or rep for multiple saddle companies, many are County reps (Gene Freeze, president and owner of County Saddlery, is founder of the MSA).  Similarly, many saddle companies have a list of their “certified” fitters on their web sites, but that won’t tell you if these folks are knowledgeable fitters or if they’re simply sales reps.

Now, just a quick word about certification:  it’s only as good as the education behind it, and much depends on the way each individual fitter decides to apply the education.  I know some outstanding fitters who are certified by saddle companies, the SMS and the MSA … and I know some outstanding fitters whose only certifications are great street cred and glowing recommendations from a whole lot of happy clients.  The reverse is true as well.  Not all good fitters are certified, and not all certified fitters are good.

In my experience, one of the best ways to find a good fitter is to ask around.  Check with local barns, tack shops, farriers, equine chiropractors, massage therapists and vets.   While it’s true that “you can’t please all the people all the time” and some fitters won’t mesh well with some clients, if a fitter’s reputation is predominantly good (or the reverse), there’s usually a reason for it.

In addition, here’s a list of things that I think it’s important to consider when choosing a fitter:

• What’s your gut reaction?  Personality comes into the mix with a fitter the same as it does with a vet or farrier, and if you – or your horse – has a less-than-positive reaction to an individual, you might consider looking elsewhere.
• Is the fitter listening to your input?  Is s/he inquiring about the saddles you’ve tried and the fitting issues you’ve encountered?
• Does the fitter ask about soundness issues your horse is or has been encountering?  Does s/he take a moment to put hands on the horse’s back?
• Does the fitter pay attention to your horse’s reaction?
• Is the fitter willing to see if your existing saddle can be made to work, or is s/he pushing you toward something else?
• If you do need (or want) a different saddle, does the fitter give you a few choices, or are you being offered only one saddle?
• If you’re trying a different saddle and find that you and/or your horse finds it uncomfortable, does the fitter take that into consideration?
• Does the fitter tell you that one particular saddle can be altered to suit every horse and rider out there for as long as they both shall live?

Finding a knowledgeable fitter with whom you feel comfortable can be a bit of a trial-and-error process, but if you stick with it, you’ll find the results are worth it.  And if you’re having trouble finding a fitter in your area, feel free to contact me at kitt@trumbullmtn.com – I’m in the process of compiling a list of fitters, and am happy to offer whatever help I can.

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