• A saddle should help the rider sit on and feel the seat bones, drop the leg down to keep pressure in the stirrup with only the ball of the foot.
• The knee should not push into the knee block.
• The saddle should put the rider in BALANCE so that she/he does not disturb the balance of the horse.
• When the rider is in balance the saddle should allow the horse to move in an uphill BALANCE, stretching over the back and up through the base of the neck.
• The right saddle will help you straighten your horse.
• Never accept that a saddle person leaves you with multiple saddles to try out; without expert guidance, you will likely end up with the wrong saddle.
• Listen to your horse; is he willing and able to go forward in an undisturbed uphill balance.

During our visit with you and your horse, our expert team will evaluate many details about you, your horse and your individual situation and needs. Some of the important points we look for are the following:

• conformation of the horse
• conformation of the rider
• level of training of the horse
• strength of the horse’s back
• tightness in the horse caused by unbalance
• muscle memory of the rider learned on the wrong saddle/wrong position

Our team uses the above points along with test riding to determine the best model for both horse and rider. Ultimately, the most important quality of any saddle must be BALANCE; for both rider and horse!