Saddle Fitting with Ann Forrest of Equestrian Imports, Inc.
When you are riding, do you struggle to hold position and balance? When working, does your horse exhibit pain, behavior problems, lack of concentration, or resistance to work? The cause may be a poorly fitting saddle.
Ann Forrest of Equestrian Imports has spent more than 30 years in the horse industry as both award-winning rider and entrepreneur. As a child growing up in her native Scotland, Ann rode competitively on the Scottish Show Jumping Circuit. Later, discovering her talent for dressage, Ann concentrated her riding efforts to reach FEI levels.
After relocating to the USA in 1983, Ann rose to Grand Prix status and built Centerline Farm, a full-service dressage training facility, which she operated in Sarasota, Florida until 1995. Simultaneously Ann established Equestrian Imports to import, fit, and sell top-quality dressage saddles and accessories from Europe. The company became so successful that Ann discontinued her training facility to focus full-time on finding and fitting the best dressage equipment for her clients.
Ann says, “Despite the complexity of saddle fitting, most experienced riders can recognize clues to improper saddle fit. Depending upon the severity and time spent in a poorly fitting saddle, your horse may exhibit symptoms ranging from general resistance to debilitating lameness. We believe that your education and awareness can alleviate both your horse’s discomfort and your own frustration, as well as propel you and your horse to a higher level of riding enjoyment and peak performance.”
As Ann explains on her website www.equestrianimports.com:
There is no single “right” way to outfit your horse, but rather a spectrum of opinions and personal styles. Due to our years of research, training, and experience, we are confident in our professional philosophy and our ability to educate riders about saddle fit and selection. With sufficient instruction and guidance, you can make suitable saddlery decisions and maintain your saddles’ functionality for years.
Some questions that are asked frequently about saddle fit include the following:
Question: I’m experiencing lower back pain during and after riding. Could this be caused by my saddle?
Answer: A saddle that does not fit properly or that is in need of reflocking may cause lower back pain.
If the saddle seat is too small and the blocks are substantial, it can cause the rider to hollow her back which may result in lower back pain.
If the saddle sits low in the rear due to compressed flocking or a tree that is too narrow, it causes the rider to strain to sit up straight, which may cause lower back pain.
Question: How can I tell if my saddle needs to be reflocked?
Answer: All wool stuffed saddles require reflocking annually as the stuffing settles. Like in bed pillows, the stuffing in saddle panels moves, compresses, and yields to continuous pressure. Reflocking the panels restores balance, symmetry, proper fit, and comfort for the horse and rider.
Following are a few of the common symptoms of a saddle in need of reflocking:
- The saddle falling to one side may be the result of uneven flocking.
- The rider tilting forward may be the result of compression of the flocking in the front of the panels.
- The rider tilting backward may be the result of compression of the flocking in the rear of the panels.
Looking at the underside of your saddle, you should be able to run the palm of your hand evenly down each panel that sits against the horse and not fall into any hollows.
Question: Who should reflock my saddle?
Answer: Your saddle should be reflocked only by a professional saddle fitter who is trained and skilled in reflocking.
Question: What do you recommend for cleaning my saddle?
Answer: Clean equipment daily with Amerigo Soft Clean Soap, Effax Combi, Passier cleaner, Stubben Leather Soap, or Supple glycerine soap. Note: We do not recommend the use of glycerine soap on saddles with double stratum leather.
Condition new equipment with Amerigo Soft Balm, Effax Balsam, Passier Leder Balsam, or Stubben Hamanol Leather Dressing twice a month. Be sure not to over-condition the billet straps.
Equestrian Imports offers several opportunities for equestrians to attain a basic understanding of saddle fitting and saddle selection process. For more information about their services, visit www.equestrianimports.com.
