Before Your Appointment

To make the most of your virtual saddle fitting consultation, I’ll need some information, photos and measurements from you ahead of time. Please follow the instructions below as carefully as possible. The more accurate and complete the information you provide, the more helpful our consultation will be.

You’ll be asked to provide this information on a short form as part of the booking process after you select your appointment date and time.

1. Tell Me About Your Horse

Please provide the following information about your horse:

• Breed and age
• Primary discipline
• How often your horse is currently being worked
• Any training or performance issues
• Any recent or extended time off from work
• Any history of back soreness or back problems
• Any veterinary diagnosis or treatment involving the back, including conditions such as kissing spines or ligament issues

2. Photos of Your Horse

Please provide clear photos of your horse standing square on a level surface, with all four feet on the ground and the horse looking straight ahead.

Please include:

• A full side view of your horse
• A view from directly behind

3. Photos of Your Saddle

Please provide the following information and photos of your saddle:

• Saddle brand and model, if known
• Seat size
• Tree size or width, if known
• A clear photo of the saddle from the side, front and back (see below)
• A clear photo of the underside of the saddle

• Please describe any half pads, shim pads or other padding you normally use with the saddle, as well as the type of girth you use.

Please place the saddle on your horse without a saddle pad and girth it as you normally would. Please make sure your horse is standing square on a level surface with all four feet on the ground.

Please provide:
• A clear photo from the left side
• A clear photo from the right side
• A photo from the front showing the saddle and shoulder area
• A photo from directly behind showing the saddle centered on the horse’s back

4. Saddle on Your Horse

5. Optional Back Tracing

A back tracing is optional, but it can provide additional useful information when evaluating saddle fit. If you would like to include a tracing, please follow the instructions below carefully. Accuracy is important, as even small changes in the tracing can affect the information it provides.

How to make a back tracing

Please watch the short instructional video below before taking your horse’s back tracing. Follow the steps in the video carefully so the tracing is as accurate as possible.

Example of a Completed Tracing

6. Sending Your Information

Please email all requested photos, information, and optional back tracing to info@thevirtualsaddlefitter.com at least 24 hours before your scheduled consultation.

Please include your name and your horse’s name in the subject line so I can easily match your information with your appointment.