Saddle Fitting Science
Learning the science behind saddle fitting
"So many riders sit just where their saddle places them" (Dwyer in the 1890s) - the same is true today. To learn more about saddle fitting download Saddle Fitting for the Thinking Rider Part 1 which discusses how the horse carries the rider and ways to improve your seat. Saddle Fitting for the Thinking Rider Part 2 takes a closer look at saddle fitting and horse conformation, how saddle stability is affected with special reference to a forward girth groove. 
The Importance of Lateral Bend
To turn in a circle horses bend laterally and nearly all of this bend comes from the back portion of the thoracic spine. This involves the part of the rib cage that is attached to the spine at the top and the cartilage extension of of the sternum (breast bone) at the bottom. When a rider is properly balanced the leg will rest against this portion of the rib cage, hence the concept of "turning the horse around the leg". With the FnE EasiFlex panels, which follow the bend of the rib cage, horses can usually happily walk a circle within their own length as the panels flex with the horse rather than acting like a splint or bar on this portion of the rib cage.
Measuring your Horse
The easiest part of the horse to measure to help with getting the right saddle fit is the wither. It is important to get this wither measurement correct. If you order a FnE saddle for self fitting and send this measurement information to FnE Saddles we can set the saddle up for a reasonable fit before dispatch. All you may then need to do, on receipt of the saddle, is to make minor adjustments to get a perfect and fit and balanced seat.
