Remote fitting advice for SMART™ Saddles

A home consultation visit from an Approved SMART Saddles Advisor is the preferred method for checking saddle fit and balance for both the horse and the rider as they will quickly be able to see and feel where even a slight adjustment can be made to optimise saddle fit.

Where this is not possible, Smart Saddles are happy to offer remote fitting advice by phone or email to help you get the best from your SMART saddle. When contacting the office or your SMART™ Advisor, please be ready to provide the following details to enable us to give you as accurate fitting advice as possible.

1. List the Saddle model and accessories used to fit your SMART™ saddle:

• Saddle model, size and serial number
• Saddle cloth style and any lining and brand
• Girth type and size
• Any additional balance pads or supplementary pads
• Other accessories used

2. Give details of the horse(s)

• Height
• Breed/type
• Age
• Current and future work and condition
• Any performance or saddle issues either current or historical

3. Give detail of the rider(s)

• Height
• Weight
• Any issues or changes of rider that should be considered

Check the fit as per our fitting guideline

If you have had a fitting previously, please let us know the name of your Advisor or order reference so we can check any notes. It is useful if you can provide photographs or video to show the conformation, fitting and ridden pictures taken in one session for continuity.

Tips:

Have someone hold the horse to keep the head and neck straight while you take the photo if possible.

Stand the horse up squarely for the photos of the near side, off side and back.

To take the photo looking straight down the horses back stand on steps or a mounting block placed directly behind the horse

Useful photos/video to take:

• Photos to show conformation of the horse, from either side and looking down the back.
• The saddle fitted before exercise
• The saddle with the rider mounted and ridden (video)
• The saddle following exercise
• The saddle following advice from an advisor

Conformation

Highlight any specific ‘problem areas’ with regards to saddle fitting. High wither, flat wither, marks from current saddle or previous injury sites.

Saddle fitted

Show the rider size and ‘normal’ riding style/stirrup length etc.

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