If life was simple, a rider could go out and buy whatever saddle he or she liked the look of. It would have an appealing style; it would put the rider in a correctly-balanced position with an optimum level of support; close contact between horse and rider would be maintained, and the horse would have total freedom of movement due to a lack of restriction from the saddle. Horse and rider would work toward their goals in perfect comfort and balance. In reality, the above 'ideals' can be more difficult to achieve. A number of riders and trainers have enough experience to select saddles themselves, but more often, a rider is 'satisfied' through a combination of ignorance, low performance expectations, and an uncomplaining mount! At Sandridge, we will make every effort to help find the best saddle for you and your horse. Saddle shopping can be expensive, time-consuming, and, at times, very frustrating - but the benefits of a correctly-fitting saddle will be appreciated for many years to come. "Again, just wanted to express to both of you how much your assistance and patience have meant to both Bentley and myself!!" (D.Clark)

Questions to Consider Before You Shop*

What type of saddle do you need?

Dressage? All-Purpose? Jumping? What discipline do you train in and what do you hope to do in future?

What is your budget?

New saddles range in price from just under $ 1,000.00 to over $ 5,000.00 The larger your budget, the more options you will have.

What about your horse?

Is the saddle to be used on one horse, or many? To fit one horse, it is helpful to know his size, including his type/breed, general build and conformation. How old is the horse? What is his body condition? (Thin, under-developed? Fat?) What is his level of training, and how much work is he doing?

Rider information

The rider's build - height and weight. Age (a growing child, or an adult?) Any physical limitations? Rider's experience and ambition. Riding frequency.

*The more information that is available at the beginning of the process, the easier it is to select appropriate saddles to try.

Suggested Steps for Saddle Selection

1) Appointment While you are welcome to browse through the roughly 200 new saddles in the showroom at any time, and our sales staff can help you select saddles to try; for the best possible advice, we suggest you make an appointment with our saddle specialist, Vicky Chalmers, who is familiar with the fit and attributes of all our saddles.

2) Meeting(s) Vicky will meet with you at the shop to discuss your needs, as well as see you sit in different saddles and make suggestions. The colours and options available on the different models will also be explained. If there is a saddle or saddles of interest, they may be taken out on trial. We have protective covers for the stirrup leathers, allowing you to use them so you are able to have a lesson, go on a hack, or whatever is required to feel confident the saddle is the right one. A second meeting may take place to review how the saddles did or did not work out.

3) In-stable Consultation* Vicky can bring a number of saddles to your stable to try on the horse. She will assess the horse and the way the saddles fit, and watch you ride if necessary. For those who don't have access to someone experienced with saddle fit, this is the best way to prevent future problems and ensure the horse will be comfortable. *There is a fee for this service, offered from Eastern Ontario to Quebec City.

Saddle Fitting on Your Own

It is not always feasible to have a saddle-fitter see your horse, or visit our shop, and you may have to try to find a saddle that fits horse and rider on your own. While not always the most efficient method of choosing a saddle, it can be successful if you do your homework.

Fitting Saddles on Your Own

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