Welcome to English Saddle Fit . com
I am an independent saddle fitter, specialising in 'english' saddles for dressage and jumping, having trained with Mike Scott, the Saddle Guy, of Camden, SC : www.saddleguy.com I am based in Maryville, TN.
I am available to visit you and your horse to ensure that your saddle fits. I can assess your current saddle and give you advice on whether it fits you and your horse. If your current saddle is not quite working, I can also advise you on whether the situation can be improved using for example, different saddle pads, shims and inserts, or alterations to the saddle's panels via the flocking.
If the saddle is a good basic fit, that is, the tree size is suitable, then it is usually possible to make minor alterations on site, while you wait. More major changes, and reflocking, will usually involve me taking your saddle to my shop. This can generally be done within 3-4 days, however, for a saddle which you need for competition, it can be better to schedule a day to work on your saddle and return it to you within 24 hours.
Please note, that saddles with foam filled panels, can not generally be altered by adding or removing flocking. For this type of saddle, a full conversion from foam to wool flocking can be done if necessary. Otherwise this type of saddle should be fitted to the individual horse by the correct use of shims.
I do not fit a saddle to a horse alone. It has to fit both horse and rider. In order to do this, I need to see the saddle, on the horse, and you riding him, as you normally do, in the saddle pads that you usually use. With this initial assessment, I can advise on changes to the pads, or to the saddle's panels, as appropriate.
Although I do not 'fit' western saddles, I work closely with Cindy Corwin, of Wikor Inc, who has been a western saddler, fitter and repairer of all things horse-related for many years here in Maryville. If your saddle needs repairs other than basic fitting and reflocking, I can coordinate this with Cindy.
Centerline Equine Massage Therapy
I am a great believer in treating the whole horse, and as such, I frequently recommend Amanda Ruddy, of Centerline Equine, www.centerlineequine.com as a body worker. Many, even most horses will suffer aches and pains, stiffness caused by work, etc, and can benefit from a thorough massage. If I notice stiffness or back pain, while palpating your horse, I may recommend you to call a qualified equine body worker.