3D Equine Back Profiling System Good saddle fit starts with a good fitting tree; a good fitting tree starts by measuring your horse’s back with our 3D equine back profiling system is designed to classify the horse’s back, identifying measurements of the width, angle, and twist. You can use our 3D equine back profiling system…
WHAT CAUSES SADDLE SLIP The relationship of lameness, saddle slip and back shape in the general horse population The cause of a saddle slipping to one side is called saddle slip. Saddle slip is usually blamed on poor saddle fit, crooked riders or asymmetry in the shape of the horse’s back, but we recently demonstrated…
My mule moves out so much better My mule moves out so much better in the Easy Fit Saddle. Best investment for her and me. Renee Idaho
The little mare likes the looser girth Hope you are back in the saddle and enjoying the summer. I continue to love the saddle and have added a chest band, as I found I can have a looser girth and go up and down hills without sliding back. The little mare likes the looser girth…
how excited and happy I am with my saddle Good morning Al Just wanted to let you know how excited and happy I am with my saddle, breast collar and bridle … beautiful!!!! Pictures on board Indy to follow soon.
western saddle fit Achieving the proper Western saddle fit between the shape of the saddle tree, horse and rider are essential for overall comfort and performance. We Measure your Horse’s Back for Proper Western Saddle Fit Our Easy Fit Saddle 3D- Equine Back Profiling System makes it possible to fit even the hardest-to-fit horses to…
Hope this letter finds you well and making saddles! I have been neglectful in letting you know how much my little gaited mare and I love her custom fit saddle. We put in over 100 hours from June to December, when I had to quit riding due to mud !!! and thus no trails. I also…
I KNEW I NEEDED ONE IF I WAS TO CONTINUE RIDING My coach had an Easy Fit Saddle and after trying it I knew I needed one if I was to continue riding. It is light to lift and beautiful to look at as well as fits me perfectly thanks to Allen’s custom fitting. I…
It fits my mare like a glove and gives her the freedom to move her best and perform lateral movements with ease. She really struggled to pick up her right lead and during the first ride in my new Easy Fit, she picked it up right away. I find this saddle so comfortable and lightweight. Thank you, Easy Fit!
Top of her list of well-made western saddles Sky’s saddle is SO beautiful!! Thank you so much! The woman who shows Sky and my warmblood in English dressage is a professional western dressage rider and said that she finds the saddle very comfortable and at the top of her list of well-made western saddles. Sky…
KAWA CAN MOVE HIS SHOULDERS FREELY KaWa can move his shoulders freely, relax his body, and bring his back up under the saddle. Happy Horse, Healthy Horse. Happy Human. The Easy Fit Saddle is comfy for me too. It’s lightweight…I’m able to toss it up and lay it on Ka.Wa’s back gently and effortlessly. Thank…
GREAT FIT FOR BOTH HORSE AND RIDER I am very happy to have found Al Hicks at Easy Fit Saddles. His concern for the well-being of the horse, coupled with his extensive knowledge, ensured a great fit for both horse and rider. Thank you for your time and patience Al! Karen
Custom western saddle Design your own Custom western saddle from our many models and options! View All Custom Saddles. We focus on hand crafting lightweight trail saddles that are adjustable to your horse and you which stand up to years of use in the toughest conditions. Our professionally designed Western saddles are bench made to…
Heavy Versus Lightweight Western Saddles If you’ve ever tacked up a horse with an old-time roping saddle you know the problem, they can weigh up to 60 pounds. It is still common to see western saddles weighing 30 to 45 pounds, while extremely lightweight high-tech endurance saddles can get down to 4 or 5 pounds….
Correct Horse Riding Position Aligning your spine, hips, knees, and ankles puts you in the correct riding position on the horse. And, not having to accentuate the angles of your joints any more than necessary when sitting in the saddle, will prevent joint pain. Feel the importance of alignment: Stand on the ground, with your…
HOW TO FIT A WESTERN SADDLE TO A RIDER Riders also come in all shapes and sizes; what works for your friend or your trainer may not work for you. Male or female, big or little booty, lots of natural lower spine curvature or very little, etc, etc. we are all different. Rider fit is…
ADJUSTABLE WESTERN SADDLE TO FIT YOUR HORSE Over time horses change shape through age and fitness cycles, this is when it’s nice to have an adjustable western saddle to fit your horse. Easy Fit Saddles have two main ways of adjusting saddle fit, cable rigging, and saddle shims. Cable Rigging Cable rigging is what the…
CUSTOM WESTERN SADDLE TREE A well-fitting saddle starts with a good-fitting tree. The first thing we do is measure your horse using our 3D back profiling system which provides us with measurements in 10 places along your horse’s back along with the rock. Western Saddle Trees Proper saddle fit becomes more critical the more time a rider spends in…
THE ABILITY TO CUSTOMIZE THE TREE BASED ON MEASUREMENTS As some of you know I have been struggling to find a saddle that fits both Abby and me. After much painstakingly long hours of research, I stumbled across a company called Easy Fit Saddle located in Alberta (Canadian product). Their selling feature was THE ABILITY…
Care of a Western Saddle Western saddles are mostly made of vegetable-tanned leather is incredibly durable, eco-friendly, and beautiful leather that improves with age be must be cared for. It is the oldest form of leather tanning in the world, recipes and skills have been handed down from generation to generation, the basic principles have…
Our Easy Fit Saddles have been great riding the trails at the Ganaraska. Not just comfortable, but I’ve felt secure in it despite spooky encounters with trail bikes and strange looking plants and possible panthers (or maybe they were just fallen logs).
Correct Western Riding Body Position It seems everywhere you look people are talking about the benefits of achieving and maintaining a neutral spinal alignment. Most exercise regimens, including pilates and rehabilitation programs, encourage working with the spine in a neutral position. It is very important to work in a neutral spine position because: the natural…
Western Saddle Slipping Sideways Sue Dyson & Line Greve Is your saddle persistently slipping to one side? The tendency for a saddle to persistently slip to one side is a well-recognized problem in horses. It can occur for a variety of reasons, including asymmetry in the shape of the horse’s back, riders sitting crookedly and ill-fitting…
After showing all weekend in it, I am truly impressed. My horse who has always struggled to pick up her left lead, not only willingly pick it up but performed lead transitions like never before. Overall I am thrilled with the saddle!
Kissing Spines in Horses: More Than Back Pain Find out how veterinarians diagnose and treat this complex condition. Dr Jackie Hill If you’ve ever managed a horse with back pain, then you’ve probably heard the term kissing spines floated around. But what exactly are kissing spines, and what does it mean if your horse is…
Saddles for the Hard to Fit Horse A lot of horse owners think their horse is very unusual when in fact this is becoming more common to have trouble finding saddles for the hard to fit horse. They have gone from shop to shop and tried a number of saddles with no success. In general,…
So why are there not more ladies western saddles?
What are the main body parts of a horse? A wither is the bony ‘bump’ if you like, at the base of your horse’s neck, above and in between the shoulder blades. When you run your hand over it, it feels rather bony and lumpy, but it is also made up of many muscles, three…
I have been searching for a western saddle for at least 5 years! Bought and sold 4 of them. I am a very hard person to fit. Have had one hip replacement and another one eventually, been riding in a Dressage Saddle not so much fun for the trail. Easy Fit Saddles has made the…
As you know, I was hoping to use my Easy Fit for both Western Dressage arena work and trail riding. I had the saddle out for a 4 hour, hilly ride a few days ago – was comfy for me and the horse for the whole way. So happy to be able to use just…
I was able to show and win in my Easy Fit Saddle which was not built for this horse because I was able to shim the panels. Thanks, Allen for the unique design and comfort of this saddle. Not to mention, it looks good. Congratulations on earning Team Bronze, as well as many individual awards, to Trish…
Ka.Wa and I are loving the saddle! It fits him and me. I am getting used to not having a horn : ) The leather for the latigo and strings is so soft and easy to work with. The wool felt pad works great too…supportive, but not too bulky. Thanks again Al…to have a saddle…
75 miles of super comfort for both me and my horse in an Easy Fit Endurance saddle!! Tracy
How do you know if your saddle fits correctly? When you start assessing the horse, rider and saddle most people are unaware of signs of soreness and saddle fitting problems. The rider could have had riding issues for years and not realized it could be because the horse is sore. The instructor could be constantly…
Adjusting stirrups on a western saddle Where do you place your stirrups? We know stirrup length affects your position, forces, and contact with your horse. But recent study results suggest that horizontal stirrup placement does, as well. By adjusting the site where you attach your stirrup leathers to your saddle, you could change the way…
Does the Tree Fit the Shape of My Horse’s Back? Dr. Kerry Ridgeway Take time to educate yourself because an ill-fitted tree will cause permanent, long-term damage to your horse. And there are no pads, shims, adjusting, nor gadgets that will make it right if it is the wrong shaped tree for that horse! The…
After we spent 4 years trying 5 different endurance saddles that never performed optimally, we started working with Easy Fit saddles. The experience that East Fit Saddles have in the performance horse anatomy is world class. After building a beautiful, light, custom saddle for our two FEI endurance horses we have not had one issue…
After we spent 4 years trying 5 different endurance saddles that never performed optimally, we started working with Easy Fit saddles. The experience that East Fit Saddles have in the performance horse anatomy is world class. After building a beautiful, light, custom saddle for our two FEI endurance horses we have not had one issue…
Western & Cowboy Dressage Saddles
Proper Riders position in a western saddle By Dr. Sue Dyson A British study has raised the possibility riders are saddling their horses with problems, many may not be sitting well in the saddle, with the potential to cause problems for their mount. The Animal Health Trust pilot study set out to investigate some basic aspects…
Correct Position For Western Riding … Something that saddle fitters know but that’s often the last thing riders think of: it’s their riding position as much as the saddle fit that’s affecting their horse’s back and movement. In this Guest Post, ‘Classical Seat’ trainer Heather Moffett looks at how the rider’s seat can make movement harder…
Western saddle fitting problems Anne Bondi Today, considerably fewer people grow up with the horse as part of their daily lives and have limited knowledge of western saddle fitting problems. Many of today’s horse owners do not have a family tradition of handed-down wisdom. This lack of natural horsemanship training has led to an increase in…
New Mexico State University Study revealed Ill-fitting saddles can cause training and behaviour problems as well as unsoundness in the horse’s back
Canadian Junior Competes At The Western Dressage World Show In Oklahoma Maverick is very sensitive and my first Western show saddle didn’t fit. We now have an Easyfit saddle that fits him way better and gives him better movement and more lift. In Level 1 we do leg yields and lengthenings in the jog. He…
Correct Body Position For Western Riding A functional body position can help you stay functional in the saddle all day long. Functional body positioning can make all the difference when you spend an extended amount of time in the saddle. From working cattle to spending hours in the saddle, your body can take a toll…
Dr. Kerry Ridgway Dr. Kerry Ridgway had, in the last three years, been working both as a veterinary clinician and as an educator, regarding laterality expressed as the“crooked horse syndrome.” Through client and horseman education, it was his goal to prevent and avoid so very many of the musculoskeletal problems that he encountered day in and day out….
Part IV: Confounding Variables Dr. Joyce Harman Of Harmany Equine Clinic Presents A Four-Part Series On Saddle Fitting. Correct saddle fitting is as important to the equine athlete as correct shoe fitting is to the human athlete. The present design of saddles has been primarily for the comfort of the rider; riders want close contact…
Understanding Saddle Fit, Part III: Is It a Fit? Correct saddle fitting is as important to the equine athlete as correct shoe fitting is to the human athlete. The present design of saddles has been primarily for the comfort of the rider; riders want close contact with the horse. However, in trying to achieve that…
Correct saddle fitting is as important to the equine athlete as correct shoe fitting is to the human athlete. The present design of saddles has been primarily for the comfort of the rider; riders want close contact with the horse. However, in trying to achieve that effect, manufacturers have removed most of the support the…
Understanding Saddle Fit, Part I: An Overview Dr. Joyce Harman introduces us to the basics of fit. Correct saddle fitting is as important to the equine athlete as correct shoe fitting is to the human athlete. In the last twenty years, great strides have been made in the running shoe industry, while the saddle industry…
various sizes and shapes withers can take, they have always been one of the biggest challenges in fitting the saddle to the horse.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SADDLE!
Each saddle is fit to both you and your horse This light-weight close contact western saddle is revolutionary. Each saddle is fit to both you and your horse. The tree is custom fit to your horse and can be adjusted throughout the life and changes of your horse. The saddle seat can also be adjusted…
Cranial Nerves Whole Horse Dissection Clinic In the spring of 2015, Larry & I attended Equine Touch Foundation Whole Horse Dissection Clinic with Dr. Ivana Ruddock at the home of Cate & Ray Stoltzfus in Shoemakersville, PA. I highly recommend a dissection clinic to anyone that wants to gain a better understanding of horse anatomy. Learning about the…
Look at this beauty! Just arrived today. Can hardly wait to try it. Fits great, so comfortable Thank you, Easy Fit Saddles and Allen L Hicks.
Just replacing the saddle with a “better” one is usually not the answer. Even if it is a $5000 saddle. “Asking the horse” is also a very poor method. Even if the horse initially seems comfortable it may not be at all suitable.
People at the barn have commented on the drastic difference in the pony since using it. Finally got some photos; they are not the best but I will try for more soon. I’ve been riding regularly for the past couple of months. The saddle is just awesome! People at the barn have commented on the…
Bella loves it! My Morning Lark, Riding in an Easy Fit Saddles. Only 20 lbs and lots of freedom to move. Bella loves it!
SADDLE FIT AND HORSE ANATOMY If you learn the basic bone anatomy of your horse it will help you understand saddle fit and horse anatomy. Even before you buy a saddle just trying it on your horse using these landmarks you can tell if the saddle is going to fit before you buy. Learning these…
If you know the basic muscles of your horse’s back and shoulders you can assess if your saddle could be making your horse’s back sore. If you know the basic muscles of your horse’s back and shoulders you can assess if your saddle could be making your horse’s back sore. Anatomy can be a little…
The saddle is just awesome! I’ve been riding regularly for the past couple of months. The saddle is just awesome! People at the barn have commented on the drastic difference in the pony since using it. Saying things like how happy she looks, good she looks. Riding is Fun again! Her movement is wonderful now….
Horse anatomy in Motion
DVD featuring Dr. Joanna Robson Too often people don’t recognize horses in Pain. Short and choppy strides, loss of topline muscle, bulging shoulders, hollow-back – these are all symptoms of a horse in pain. “Stall Rest and Bute” is mistakenly the treatment when the underlying cause cannot be found, and joint injections don’t treat the underlying cause…
GOOD FITTING SADDLE Everything begins with a good fitting saddle tree. It’s the foundation for the saddle; the frame upon which everything else is built. Without a proper fitting tree, you’ll never have a good fitting saddle. Tree Fit Horse backs are like snowflakes, no two are the same. The job of the saddle tree is…
SADDLE FIT AND FENDER POSITION We are all taught to make sure we ride with the correct length of stirrups. Stirrups that are too long or too short could mean we can’t effectively balance and use our legs. How Does The Fender Position Affect My Leg Position? Unless the fenders are adjustable forward or back…
LANGUAGE OF SWEAT MARKS When buying my first saddle all I had to give them was the height, high withers and the breed. They sent me saddles that they were sure to fit, a height withered 16 hh thoroughbred. None came close. Understanding the language of sweat marks helped me find a saddle that fit….
By Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA It’s the equine back that might seem most essential to the rider. It’s where we put all our weight, where we place our ffavourite(and most expensive) riding gear, where we connect—directly, physically—with our mount, and where we communicate with subtle cues. But for all its importance, equine researchers say the equine back…
When horses were the chief mode of transportation, they were bred to a somewhat uniform conformation within breeds. A saddle was a big investment and often had to last many horses. A horse that didn’t fit your saddle was usually put to work in harness. After WWII horse use began to transition from working animals…
So far I and my horse are loving it. I just got my saddle on Saturday and rode in it on Saturday and Sunday so far I and my horse are loving it. You did such a super job on it. I am going to be posting on it on Facebook in the next week!…
By Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor If you’re a runner, you’ve probably noticed that after a 45-minute jog your calf muscles seem a bit swollen or enlarged. They are responding to post-training fluid shifts, fibre hypertrophy (thickening), and the general strain of exercise. Horses’ muscles, particularly along the back, respond to exercise in the…
SIGNS THAT YOUR SADDLE DOESN’T FIT YOUR HORSE A horse that goes around with his head up, ears pinned, and tail swishing could be signs that your saddle doesn’t fit your horse. One that’s commonly overlooked, however, is poor saddle fit. When professional saddlers evaluate a horse’s saddle, they look for telltale signs of a…
Wearing boots or shoes that don’t fit properly can be both uncomfortable and painful. So much so, in fact, that few of us will tolerate the condition. Instead, we quickly will locate or purchase footwear that is comfortable. The good news is that as articulate humans with, generally speaking, enough disposable income available, we not…
By Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor
Exercise’s Effects on Horses’ Back Dimensions and Saddle Fit
If you’re a runner, you’ve probably noticed that after a 45-minute jog your calf muscles seem a bit swollen or enlarged. They are responding to post-training fluid shifts, fiber hypertrophy (thickening), and the general strain of exercise. Horses’ muscles, particularly along the back, respond to exercise in the same way. Have you ever thought about what effect this might have on your saddle’s fit as your horse works?
Western Saddle Sweat Marks There is a great deal of misunderstanding in the equine world with respect to dry spots and what they indicate. Not all dry spots are bad, but you have to understand the mitigating factors and learn to read what the dry spots are telling you. Much has transpired over the years…
WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT CUSTOM SADDLE FIT? Saddle fit is a big deal! Horse backs are all unique along their length and many angles; they change throughout their life-cycle, degrees of fitness, and many are not symmetrical. If your saddle doesn’t fit your horse he will likely be cranky and sore, and may…
Most women don’t know how comfortable a western saddle Built for Women can be!
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