Best Long Distance Saddle Fitters

[CanteringCarrot]

I have a friend that is going to be in a remote area (in the US) for a bit and she’s looking for a saddle fitter to send her saddles to.

I am hesitant to recommend Trumbull Mountain due to poor reviews. I had a brief experience with them, but never ended up sending anything to the shop or making a purchase, so I cannot formulate an accurate review.

It can be any part of the US really. East Coast is preferred I think. I’ve been out of the loop over there, so I am not sure who is still in business, and who does distance assessments and fittings.

Thanks in advance!

[no.stirrups]

Does she or her horse have any particular needs? Some fitters are better with certain body types. For example, some of my clients with really wide horses have been flatly turned away by some long-distance fitters who have great reputations for helping people with more average horses.

[CanteringCarrot]

She has a Warmblood gelding that I’d consider to be pretty normal. Not overly wide, large withered, short, long, or swaybacked. I can’t remember the make of his jump saddle, but I think it is the dressage model she is looking to have adjusted slightly.

[yaya]

Where in the US is she? There are some fitters who do traveling clinics, maybe one will be in the area. We have one coming to the Gulf Coast from California next week.

[Posting_Trot]

Pelham Saddlery does remote fittings from tracings, and I believe the fitter travels within the southern New England area. They carry used saddles and a few brands of new saddles as well.

Smith-Worthington is located in Hartford CT. They manufacture their own saddles and have a fitter on staff who works with tracings. They also have a very generous trial policy for saddles. I have bought a saddle from them and have been very satisfied.

Balance International is based in England, but they do remote fittings. There are some U.S. based fitters as well. Frank Baines makes most of their saddles for them (but they’re branded as Balance International). Their fitting style is a bit different from most fitters but they’re very meticulous about what they do. I have a dressage saddle that I’ve used for many years from them.

[Dressagelvr]

Can she trailer to a good fitter? Remote fitting just isn’t a great thing…no matter the skill of the fitter.

[chantal]

@Dressagelvr

Can she trailer to a good fitter? Remote fitting just isn’t a great thing…no matter the skill of the fitter.

This. I wouldn’t send my saddle to have it fit for a horse. The best fitter I know would not do this. It’s a careful, detailed process. Trial and error. And the saddle needs to be tried out on the horse to make adjustments.

[Dune]

You’re right to hesitate on TM, don’t go there, not worth it. Kitt Hazelton helped me a few years ago on a very difficult to fit horse. I actually tried calling her again, but couldn’t reach her, but it’s worth a try. I think the gals at Pelham Saddlery do a pretty good job and have a nice inventory. There was an independent saddle fitter that replied on one of the TM threads, can’t remember her name, but you might check it out…

[Snowdenfarm]

Kit Hazelton’s website: http://pantherrunsaddlery.com