Get Fitted
Saddle Fitting at Liberty!
With our professional saddle fitting services, find THE ONE... a dream saddle that works perfectly for you and your horse! With our ever-changing inventory of high-quality, consigned saddles we are able to offer saddle options that actually work.
Coupled with our professional, in-person evaluation during your scheduled saddle fitting, you can benefit from the convenience and efficiency we offer! No need to arrange for another saddle fitter or to worry, "What if the saddle doesn't work?" Our fitting services bring it all together in the most timely way.
We provide in-person, professional, independent saddle fitting services for our local equestrians in the following counties of Pennsylvania: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, Montgomery, and some surrounding areas. Our saddle fitting services include full saddle fitting evaluations, flocking adjustments, and even billet replacements. Please note that we specialize in fitting English saddles and do not offer services for Western saddles.
Meet Lauren, our saddle fitter!
My commitment to horse welfare is at the heart of my saddle fitting practice. I understand the importance of proper tack and its impact on a horse's comfort and performance. Many years of hands-on experience have instilled in me a keen awareness of equine behavior and subtle signs of discomfort.
My passion for horses started as soon as I could walk, leading to years of hands-on experience in 4-H, Pony Club, and beyond. From mucking stalls and exercising horses in my early years, to training retired racehorses and volunteering at therapeutic riding centers, I've learned firsthand the importance of a harmonious partnership between horse and rider.
This lifelong dedication, coupled with formal training under the tutelage of a Master Saddlers Association fitter and advanced studies in technical saddlery in 2024, allows me to offer comprehensive saddle fitting services focused on both horse and rider well-being.
Experience
Saddle Fitting Services
Saddle Fitting Evaluation
New saddle from Liberty Saddlery
$125
+ $50 per additional horse owned by client
DETAILS:
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Static (unmounted) appraisal, back palpation, symmetry
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Dynamic (ridden) fit evaluation
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Typically 60-90 minutes in duration
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No jeans or silicone full-seat breeches when test riding Liberty Saddlery saddles.
Flocking Adjustment
On-site after fit evaluation
$150 - 300
+ $50 - $150 per additional saddle
DETAILS:
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Performed on-site after fit evaluation, on same horse, and assessed with rider up.
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Optimizes saddle fit for horse and rider.
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Wool added/removed from panels to achieve balanced fit. (100% natural wool)
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Saddle should have flocking adjusted every 3-6 months (more for new saddle).
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Service cost due at time of evaluation.
Saddle Fitting Evaluation
Current saddle (not from Liberty)
$175
+ $75 per additional horse owned by client
DETAILS:
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Static (unmounted) appraisal, back palpation, symmetry
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Dynamic (ridden) fit evaluation
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Typically 60-90 minutes in duration
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Flocking is additional for wool saddles (estimate is provided during fitting)
Strip Flocking
Take-away installation
$400 - $500
Per saddle, after initial in-person assessment
DETAILS:
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This is a take-away service.
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Existing flocking material removed and all new wool installed. Tree assessed.
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Saddle returned clean and reconditioned.
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6-week re-check recommended.
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Saddle should be strip-flocked every 5 years for optimal performance.
Is a poor saddle fit to blame?
A poorly fitting saddle often demonstrates in the following ways:
Negative Behavior During Handling
Acting up, resistance to tacking and/or girthing, and difficulty catching.
Sensitivity and Reactivity
The horse's reactions to touch, brushing, and petting.
Performance and Movement Issues
Uncoordination, short strides, tripping, difficulty turning or collecting, and refusal to jump.
Necessary routine maintenance!
Horses, like humans, are constantly changing. They experience weight fluctuations, muscle soreness, and the effects of aging. This constant change also impacts our tack. Leather softens and wears, billet holes stretch, and saddle flocking compresses, affecting balance and fit. Regular maintenance and adjustments are crucial for both horse and tack to maintain performance and well-being.
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Saddle fittings 2 times/year
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Flocking adjustments on a new saddle 3-5 times/year
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Flocking adjustments on an existing used saddle 2-3 times/year
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Strip flocking once every 5 years
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Billet replacement as needed (inspect them regularly after each ride!)
Before the saddle fitting...
CONFORMATION PICTURES
Before we even meet up for a fitting I request conformation photos of your horse so that I can pick from the variety of saddles most likely to work. Very recent pictures of your horse "squared up" are incredibly important for me to properly plan for your saddle fitting.
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From behind – a view over the back.
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Side profile from the left side.
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Side profile from the right side.
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BONUS! Pics of you riding helps me find the perfect flap configuration
YOUR RIDING DETAILS
Typically, I bring at least 4 saddles that should fit both you and your horse together, based on the details you share about your seat size, riding discipline, preferences (including saddle budget). That's why it's important that you share these details as accurately as possible when completing my Saddle Fitting Request form.
During the saddle fitting...
The goal of our time together -- approximately 90 minutes in-person -- is to find the perfect fit for your riding team, all while making sure it is a safe and comfortable experience for your horse.
STATIC
Establishing your horse's comfort with me is key, so I start there. We review any issues, injuries, behavioral issues that you know your horse is experiencing, so I can better understand known strengths and struggles. I perform a static (unmounted) appraisal, back palpation, and check symmetry before assessing any of the saddles I've brought along.
DYNAMIC
I try saddles on your horse and we decide what saddles will be a good option for you and your horse. I usually bring at least 4 saddles that should fit, based on details you've shared prior to our saddle fitting appointment. We then ride to see what saddles work and don’t work. I closely watch your horse's movements, behavior, and any other notable observations to see if the saddle is a good option for your riding team.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
Because jeans and silicone full-seat breeches scuff up and leave noticeable wear patterns on the leather of saddles (even after brief riding times), we ask that you refrain from wearing such attire when test riding Liberty Saddlery saddles.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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