Why use a Society of Master Saddlers registered qualified saddle fitter?
As horse owners most of us are very, VERY good at researching things that we need or perhaps things that we want, we’ll leave the distinction up to you! We’ll spend hours comparing certain supplements or reading about rugs, searching out reviews and listings before making a choice but when it comes to saddle fitting, a quick Google or look on social media can bring up a confusing array of options, qualifications and job titles.
That's because, legally at least, anyone can call themselves a saddle fitter. They might have been around horses for a long time or for a short while or maybe watched some videos or taken a short course and then decided to try their hand at saddle fitting. What that means that for horse owners, riders and yard managers, is that its not always clear where to find an experienced, qualified person to help turn when your horse needs a saddle check. That's where the Society of Master Saddlers comes in.
The Society has been setting professional standards within the saddlery industry for decades, and it’s qualifications are recognised throughout the equestrian world. Choosing a Society of Master Saddlers registered qualified saddle fitter will give you confidence that the person assessing your horse has training and qualifications. In this month’s blog, we’re taking a closer look at what difference that makes for horse owners and riders in the UK.
Saddle fitter isn't a protected title
Lots of the horse owners we chat to here at Castle House Saddlery are very surprised to hear that ‘saddle fitter’ is not a protected title in the UK. That means that, unlike some professions like vets and farriers, people don’t need to hold a formal qualification to call themselves a saddle fitter. As we said in the intro, that can make it difficult for you to know who has undergone extensive training and who hasn’t. In an age where a social media profile, a business card and some inventive AI can make anyone look like an expert, recognised qualifications really matter.
Choosing a registered qualified Society saddle fitter gives you a clear benchmark and reassurance. It demonstrates that the fitter has successfully completed a recognised programme of training and assessment, rather than learning through experience alone. Here’s more about that…
Becoming a Society Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter
Candidates wanting to become a Society fitter usually start with a one-day introductory course to find out what saddle fitting is all about. This gives them an insight to what saddle fitters do and the different elements covered on the qualification pathway to make an informed choice as to whether a career in saddle fitting is for them. From there, candidates join the trainee pathway and once they have enrolled and started their saddle fitting qualification are able to provide a saddle fitting service under the Society’s umbrella. Those on the qualification pathway are required to gain practical experience shadowing or working alongside other qualified saddle fitters before undertaking final assessments. The qualification pathway covers saddle construction, flocking, equine anatomy, biomechanics, horse assessment and practical saddle fitting skills, all of which are assessed through rigorous examinations accredited by City & Guilds. The qualification represents someone who’s undertaken theoretical and practical training and has been assessed against an industry standard and who is committed to keeping their skills up to date.
Once qualified, Society fitters continue their professional development and learning as part of their registration and continue to build their experience. Everyday is a school day and even for someone like me who has been fitting for nearly 30 years, there is always something new to learn. Every horse and saddle is different, new products and technology is ever evolving as is our understanding and learning which is reinforced by a multitude of evidence-based peer research. Once a qualified Society fitter has been fitting for a total of 7 years, they can then apply to become a Master Saddle Fitter.
Achieving the distinction of "Master Saddle Fitter" within the Society of Master Saddlers requires dedication to both skill development and continued education. After years of hands-on experience and ongoing training, saddle fitters may earn the prestigious Master status, which is recognised throughout the industry as a mark of excellence and professionalism. This commitment ensures that master saddle fitters uphold the highest standards and deliver expert guidance to horse owners and riders. If you want to guarantee the level of skill and experience its always best to check if your fitter is registered with the Society of Master Saddlers as coming back to our opening paragraph the title is not protected and anyone can call themselves a Master Saddle Fitter.
They assess the whole horse, not just the saddle
One of the biggest misconceptions about saddle fitting is that it's just a case of checking the width or whether a saddle sits correctly on a horse's back, maybe making sure it’s not pinching or sitting so low it’s on the withers or ‘bridging’ along the panels. However, in reality, a Society registered qualified saddle fitter is assessing a lot more than that. There are many complexities to saddle fitting and theory alone or a little bit of knowledge can often be conflicting and not apply.
Society fitters are trained to evaluate a horse's conformation, muscle development, symmetry and movement before assessing the saddle itself. They understand how changes in the horse's body can influence saddle fit and how saddle fit can, in turn, affect performance, comfort and wellbeing.
Horses change shape more often than we'd like to think!
Unfortunately, horses don't always get the memo that you've just spent a significant amount of money on a saddle. Their shape can change in a very short space of time even throughout the day, yes I said THE DAY! That can be down to what they’ve eaten or drank and whether they have been turned out or not, whether they are hot or cold or fatigued. Changes can also occur because of their fitness, age, workload, injury rehabilitation, changes in management and even a particularly enthusiastic relationship with the spring grass. That means that a saddle that fitted beautifully six months ago may no longer be the best option today. It also presents a problem for fitters and leaves horse owners caught between an array of often conflicting opinions of fitters and experts on a yard especially when changes occur in a very short space of time.
Remember saddle fit can only be assessed at a specific point in time on the day that the horse was seen by the saddle fitter. If something goes wrong following a fit, it is likely something has changed. This could be the horse, it could be flocking, or something else. Instead of reaching out for a second opinion or rushing to criticise the fit, always reach out to your fitter to help and reassess what has changed. We are there for you and your horse but this is another blog entirely!
This is one of the reasons regular saddle checks are so important. A Society fitter understands how horses change over time and can identify when adjustments, reflocking or a different saddle may be required to maintain comfort and performance.
Your saddle fitter will identify potential issues early
Horses can't tell us when something feels uncomfortable. Instead, they tend to communicate through changes in behaviour or performance. Society fitters are trained to assess the horse and rider as well as the saddle fit, so they are often able to identify the early signs that something isn't quite right.
This might include uneven muscle development, areas of soreness, changes in movement, pressure points or behavioural indicators that suggest discomfort. Just as importantly, they are trained to recognise when a problem may fall outside their area of expertise and when veterinary or physiotherapy input may be needed. In some cases, a saddle fitting appointment can help identify a developing issue before it becomes a much larger problem.
Their advice is independent and horse-centred
The Society of Master Saddlers qualification focuses on understanding saddle fit, construction and equine biomechanics rather than promoting a particular manufacturer or brand. That means recommendations should be based on what works best for the individual horse and rider. Every horse is different; every rider has different requirements and there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. A qualified fitter's role is to find the most appropriate option for that combination rather than simply recommending the same approach for everyone.
They work to recognised professional standards
All Society members are required to adhere to a professional Code of Conduct and hold appropriate insurance. For Society fitters they are also required to continue developing their knowledge throughout their careers, ensuring they remain up to date with developments in horse welfare, saddle technology and equine biomechanics. For horse owners, this provides an additional level of reassurance and accountability. Many veterinary surgeons, physiotherapists and other equine professionals regularly work alongside Society fitters because they know the important role saddle fit plays in a horse's wellbeing and performance.
Investing in your horse's comfort
Finding the right saddle can sometimes feel like solving a particularly expensive puzzle, but choosing a registered qualified Society saddle fitter is one of the simplest ways to stack the odds in your favour. Your horse may not be able to say ‘thank you’ to you for booking an appointment with a Society fitter, but they'll almost certainly appreciate the results.