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The purpose of the American Saddle Makers Association's  SADDLE FIT PROJECT is to develop a consensus as to what factors and/or areas need to be considered to achieve a positive saddle fit primarily for the western saddle.  The general riding population and the saddle industry then can add this information to their decision process.  As with saddle fit itself, this project is ongoing.

 If you have any comments, suggestions, and/or corrections, please email ASMA at info@saddlemakers.org
WESTERN SADDLE FIT
The subject of western saddle fit or saddle fitting has generated a good deal of interest within the general riding public and the saddle industry. This interest has been sparked for many reasons, and a lot of information has been written in various horse publications and on the Internet.  Some of this information is good, some is bad, some is misleading, some is incorrect, or some is incomplete leading to misconceptions, and frustration among all parties involved.


The elements or variables of saddle fit are – the horse – the saddle – the rider.  These elements or variables are interrelated and a change in one or the absence of one may or may not effect the others.  


The goal of saddle fit is to achieve a positive fit that meets the requirements of the rider over time and not a moment in time.  


Positive fit means that both the horse and rider are comfortable during and after the riding experience, with out any bumps or bruises.  


Saddle fit is subjective, in that what is a positive fit to one rider will not be positive to another.  

For example, a rider that rides several horses will be looking for one level of saddle fit, while a reiner or cutter competing for a national championship will be looking for another level of saddle fit, and a recreational rider may be looking for even another level of saddle fit for that special horse.

In achieving the goal of positive saddle fit, the procedure or method that is used is not of concern, if the final result meets the rider's requirements and is positive.  Saddle fit is subjective and each saddlemaker or tack store owner/employee has developed over time their own procedure or method of saddle fitting.

If saddle fit is important to you, we suggest you seek out a experienced saddle maker or tack store owner.  One who understands the three elements or variables of saddle fit and their relationship to each other and has spent as much time in the saddle as they have building saddles or running their tack store.


Each element or variable of saddle fit has its own set of factors or variables.
Click on your item of interest below.  


RELATED ARTICLES OF INTEREST ON SADDLE FIT AND FITTING
ASMA does not endorse the authors or articles and does disagree in a few areas that may be noted in within this discussion, ASMA is of the opinion that the general information should be helpful to all.
Saddle-Fit Roundtable  from the Western Horseman Magazine   CLICK HERE
Troubleshooting Saddle Fit Problems   CLICK HERE    
Saddle fit with Dale Martin   CLICK HERE
WESTERN-SADDLE-GUIDE   CLICK HERE     NOTE:  This link contains videos from Martin Saddlery, a division of Equibrand and should be viewed in that light.
Saddle Fit: An Enduring Western Myth by Dusty Johnson     CLICK HERE
Colorado State University     CLICK HERE  
Utah State University     CLICK HERE



REFERENCES


Copyright 2010 American Saddle Makers Association, Inc.