Terry Peiper, Fit Right Saddle Solutions

February 2024

Wow, wasn't January's weather just insane?  What a crazy time for a dog walking challenge. But, Lacey & I did the 30 miles in 30 days and raised over $250 for St. Jude's.  Some of those days were pretty nasty cold and snowy.  Thank you to everyone that donated!  Thankfully, we are back to normal Tennessee winter weather which allows me to walk and ride and saddle fit.  

I am going on 13 years of full time saddle fitting, but I still feel like I can learn more. So, off to California I go today for training with Karen Loshbaugh from Art2Ride Saddlery.  I am looking forward to learning from her.  But, before I go I want to share a couple things.  First, the schedule because it is filling up fast.

Fittings at Red Horse Ridge, Brownsboro, AL-April 9-10, 2024

Fittings at Oak Mt. Park,  Birmingham, AL-April 10-11, 2024

 Fittings at Jessie's Run, Harrison, TN on April 23, 2024

Saddle Fit Class here at our farm on Copperhead LN, Crossville TN on April 6, 2024

This class is for anyone that puts a saddle on a horse.  Our goal is that by the end of the day you will know which saddles fit, which ones don't and why.  And this time we have a special guest to teach us about Equine Craniosacral Therapy.   To make sure everyone gets a good hands on opportunity to learn, we are only accepting 10 students.  

 Here is the link to sign up for April 6 class.

This month I want to talk a little bit about saddle balance because our horses change very gradually, so the saddle balance is also changing gradually.  It is usually not until I refit the saddle does the rider realize how much it was off. 

Most of the western saddles are a more rear balance seat.  These saddles have the lowest spot towards the rear.  The gaited horses do well in this type of saddle and also the downhill horse almost requires this type of seat.  In the TW and Specialized Saddles they call it the trail seat.  If the horse is downhill and the saddle is uphill, it allows the rider to be balanced in the middle.

This TW Classic Wade is a beautiful example of a rear balance seat.

A center balance seat has it's lowest spot in the middle.  In the Specialized Saddles this is what they call the flat seat. Most of the Peter Horobin & DP Quantum saddles are center balance seat as well.

This saddle has a center balance seat.  It is easy to see the low spot in the middle of the blue seat.  Riders that are looking for that classical shoulder hip heel position prefer the center balance seats.

 If the saddle is not fitting the horse correctly,

 the seat may not be balanced for the rider.

A saddle that is too narrow in front for the horse will be too high in the front and cause the rider to overweight the rear of the saddle.  A saddle that is too low in front or too wide for the horse will cause the rider to tip their pelvis and arch their back.

The rider's back needs to be natural with it's curve to absorb the shock that doesn't get absorbed in the hips, knees and ankles, just like when we are walking around on our own 2 feet.  That is the reason for the curve in the back.      If the back is too round or with too much arch the rider will be stiff, not have a pliable seat and cause discomfort to the horse and rider.  The length and placement of the stirrups also must be correct for the rider to have the ability to stay balanced and it is all affected by the fit to the horse.  It is a vicious cycle.  

If you are having any issues with your hips, knees, ankles and especially your back, take a look at your saddle fit ASAP. It really does make a difference and since it happens so gradually you may not realize what has happened. 

Does anyone read the online reviews?  I know I do.  Recently I had a situation with a hearth store and because I left a review a much better hearth service man reached out to me.  Kudos to him and his business!   If you are local here. I highly recommend AP Hearth out of Cookeville. 

I sincerely appreciate all of your reviews, testimonials and referrals.  Someone once said “the finest compliment paid me is that of a referral.”  I know that in some companys, a referral is good for a discount or sponsor of some sort.  But, I am not that company.  I am just me and if someone recommends Terry Peiper or Fit Right Saddle Solutions, you know that all they are getting is the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping you and your horse.

If you would like to leave a review for me/Fit RightSaddle Solutions on Facebook, here is the link.   Facebook Review Fit Right Saddle Solutions

If you would like to share a testimonial send me a text, email or jot it down on a napkin and I will put it on the website. Here are the 2 most recent testimonials.  Thank you for Mot and Donna!!