One of our customers has been working very hard to find the right saddle for her wide, barrel-shaped young horse. She’s tried a lot of different saddles over the past few weeks and has finally narrowed it down to two. … Continued
I have twin cousins, Ann and Jean. They’re fraternal (heterozygous) twins, born within ten minutes of each other, and contrary to the expectations that most people seem to have about children who share a womb, they’re not much alike. While … Continued
This season is the acid test when it comes to horsekeeping – especially if you keep your horses at home and care for them yourself. It’s the season of frozen fingers, icy whiskers, blankets and heated buckets. Everyone knows about … Continued
If you’ve ever worked with us to find a saddle, you’ll know that one thing we always request is a template of your horse’s back. These measurements, sometimes called a “wither tracing”, are the most comprehensive method of long-distance saddle … Continued
When I taught dressage for a living, I had a habit of replaying my lessons as I drove to and from the barn – especially the bits where my students (both two- and four-legged) had difficulty grasping a concept or … Continued
Today I gave my competitive trail riding ladies, Nancy and Rhonda, their first dressage lesson. Before I go into details about the lesson, let me give you a little background on the horses and riders. Nancy started riding when she … Continued
Versatility and flexibility are important for the horse and rider … and it’s a pretty good idea for the instructor, too. Before I became a saddle fitter, I spent many years making my living as a dressage trainer and instructor. … Continued
This month’s Success Story features Cindy Sanders and her horse Dane. Cindy was looking for a dressage saddle for Dane; he’s a big boy, a rehab case, and built very uphill. She’d tried several different saddles, but they all sat pommel-high, and Dane … Continued
As a saddle fitter, I have a certain fondness for wool-flocked saddles. They can be “custom adjusted” to your horse’s back, they breathe and help keep your horse’s back cooler, they’re nicely resilient and offer good cushion, and they will … Continued
Your tack is a serious investment, and the best way to protect that investment is to be conscientious regarding its care. After each ride, you should wipe down your tack with a damp cloth or sponge to remove all dirt and … Continued