Saddle fitting can be tricky for any horse. Correct saddle fit is hugely important for your horse’s comfort, back health, and overall performance. Saddle fitting is a bit of an art form if you ask me. And Friesians can be challenging when it comes to getting a properly fitting saddle. Here are some tips and tricks to finding the right saddle for your Friesian.

Why is Saddle Fit So Important?

A properly fitting saddle will help to maximize your horse’s comfort, stability, balance, and performance. And on the contrary, a poorly fitting saddle can affect your horse’s movement, and over time can cause damage to their back.

Saddle Fitting: Quick Tips

There are many elements to saddle fitting, and when in doubt, always consult an expert. Your riding instructor and trainer can be excellent resources for saddle fitting. As you think about proper saddle fitting, here are some quick saddle fitting tips to consider:

• Figure out where the saddle should sit on your horse: A great way to do this is by taking chalk and outlining the shoulder blades and the last rib on your horse. The saddle should not move in front of or behind these areas on the horse at rest or in any gait.
• Wither clearance: Does your horse have a high wither, or does it run smoothly into his back? You should be able to fit 2-3 fingers between the pommel of the saddle and the horse’s wither. Otherwise, the saddle can pinch and sit heavily on this very sensitive part of the horse.
• Determine what type of back your horse has: Is it long or short? This is an important factor when determining saddle size. For any saddle, the base of the cantle shouldn’t expand past the horse’s last rib.
• Determine the correct panel length: The panels on many dressage saddles are too long for Friesians’ backs. If the panels are too long, it can pinch nerves and create saddle sores.
  You can use half pads to aid in saddle fit. While the saddle should fit without anything underneath it, you can use a half pad for more of a custom fit for challenging horses.

A properly fitted saddle should sit level of your horse’s back and allow for a complete range of motion in the shoulders without pain or pressure.

Challenges of Friesian Saddle Fitting

Many Friesians have a unique shape that can make it tricky to fit a saddle. Some Friesians are more compact, with shorter backs, which means a shortened saddle support area. We’ve found a lot of saddles are too long for our horses.

Another factor that makes Friesians challenging to saddle fit is their animated gaits. You never want to inhibit the reaching shoulder movement of a Friesian, so you need to find a saddle that does not restrict big shoulder movements.

Friesians, in general, have broader backs than many of the warmblood breeds.

Do All Friesians Need a Wide Tree?

I’m surprised how many people (saddle fitters) included who believe Friesians must have a wide tree saddle because of their size.

After trying a wide-tree saddle, many are shocked to find this is not always the case. In fact, we have had several horses use a medium-wide tree, and only one uses a wide tree. When it comes to fitting your Friesian, always consider their unique build and conformation. Saddle fitting should be done based on each horse and is never a one-size-fits-all situation.

When In Doubt, Call A Professional Saddle Fitter!

It’s great to do your research and find a great fitting saddle for your Friesian. If both you and your horse are comfortable, balanced, and stable, that matters.

But if you are having difficulty finding a well-fitting saddle for your Friesian, it might be time to call in a professional for some help.

Saddle fitters are experts in their field and can help advise you on an appropriate saddle for both you and your horse. In some instances, Friesians need a custom saddle to be comfortable. A saddle fitter can help you with the process if this is the case!

Dressage Saddle Brands for Friesian Horses

We ride Dressage primarily and have found these saddles tend to fit our Friesian horses well.

Learn what other disciplines Friesians are used for in my What Are Friesians Used For? blog.

Bates Isabella

My mom and previous riding instructor have ridden in a Wintec Isabell for years and swear by them. These saddles have an adjustable tree feature which is excellent if you are trying to fit multiple horses with one saddle.

The seat is ultra-deep and grippy, with a narrow twist—perfect for maintaining your position on a big mover, like a Friesian. The CAIR panel cushion evenly distributed your weight across your horse’s back.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Long-lasting (with proper care, these saddles will last forever)
• CAIR panel system
• Narrow twist

 

Cons:

• Fully synthetic – if you are looking for leather, this isn’t the saddle for you
  Often back-ordered – we discovered this when we ordered a new one for my trainer

Fryso Saddles

 

http://www.frysodressagesaddle.com/dressage-saddles/fryso-challenge/

Fryso offers a variety of Dressage and multi-purpose saddles for Friesian horses and breeds with shorter backs— all designed with a shorter panel.

I’ve ridden in several versions and have been impressed with the overall fit and comfort.

Pros:

• Excellent quality
• Designed with shorter backed horses in mind

Cons:

• Ordering can take some time – These saddles are not made in the U.S.
• Cost – These saddles aren’t terrible on the scale of dressage saddles, but they are an investment.

 

I hope this post provided a little more knowledge about saddle fitting and where to start!