D+R EQUESTRIAN
in the pursuit of healthy, happy, and sound horsesSaddle Fitting
Fit is everything.
Whether you’re worried about a saddle you already have, or shopping for the perfect fit, saddle fit can have an enormous impact on comfort and performance— for you and your horse! A poor-fitting saddle can impact your balance, seat, and sense of security. Poor fit can be seen in attitude changes of the horse, decline in performance, atrophy of muscles, short-term lameness or long-term crippling of the animal.
Because my goal is to serve as an impartial advocate for horse and rider, I don’t represent any saddle company, take a commission of sales, and typically don’t have saddles available to try.
A saddle fitting session may include:
One-on-one saddle placement tutorial
Evaluating conformation and gait analysis
Testing for back pain or injury
Measurement for back tracings + $50
Structural evaluation of the saddle
Fit check of saddle to horse and rider
Written evaluation appropriate to deliver to your saddlemaker, veterinarian, or insurance.
SADDLE MAINTENANCE
ensurE a safe comfortable ridE.
Over time, the flocking in saddle panels compress and become lumpy and hard. It’s a good idea to have your saddle checked every 6 months— sooner if you spend a lot of time in the saddle. Sometimes, if the flocking is in good condition and the saddle has an external access point in the panel, it’s possible to add flocking to improve the fit for your horse. Other times, it’s necessary to remove the panel from the saddle to access the flocking or to completely remove and replace the flocking which takes considerably more effort. Billets and webbing are other critical parts of the saddle that sometimes require replacement.
All modifications are generally done in the studio unless other arrangements are made in advance. Ideally, I prefer to check the fit with horse and rider before and after reflocking to ensure that we have achieved the perfect fit, but saddles can be shipped if preferred. Saddle Maintenance services are usually charged in addition to a Saddle Fitting session where I check the fit on horse, check the saddle for issues that would make it a poor candidate for reflocking, and collect the saddle for service.
If you have a broken tree, a serious hardware issue, or a defective product, please send the saddle directly to the maker, as I won’t be able to do tree replacements, panel/seat replacements, mend proprietary hardware, or correct twisted gullet heads.
$150 USD Overflock
$265 USD Drop Panel + Overflock
$300 USD Complete Reflock
$140 USD Billet Replacement
+ Shipping Or Delivery Travel Costs
WHITE GLOVE SADDLE SEARCH
IF Saddle shopping IS daunting,
I'm here to help.
I'm glad to search, coordinate delivery of saddles for trial, and generally do the leg work to find the right fit. In all cases, I will need to take back tracings and photos of the horse, speak with you about what type of saddle you're looking for, so the time slot you are choosing is for the initial saddle fitting session to kick-off the search, to be followed by a second session to fit the prospective saddles.
Taking saddles on trial almost always require the purchase of the saddle with a return process if we don't buy it, so we will need your credit card with significant available funds available ($10k-$20k for new saddles) to expedite the process. Ideally we will bring in 2-3 saddles to try and compare in the same fitting session.
This package is $550 and includes:
initial saddle-fitting session
back tracings/photography
3-4 hours of research/coordination
a fit session with the saddles we have brought in for trial
return logistics for the saddles we don't purchase
If additional searching is required, we will move forward on an hourly rate after the first round.
SADDLE-SMART SEMINARS
The more you know, the better choices you can make for you and your horse.
Hone your observational skills and saddle-savvy in this informative seminar! Created to empower equestrians, this engaging seminar will give you the knowledge you need to make well-informed saddle decisions for you and your horse. From horse anatomy to saddle design, functional movement, and how to spot saddle problems early, Saddle-Smart shares the information and tools you need to help you achieve the perfect fit.
Seminars are tailored to the riding discipline(s) of the audience and can be customized for a deep dive into specific areas of interest by request. Whenever practical, demonstrations are interactive and utilize visual, auditory, written, and tactile experiences to optimize the learning experience for every attendee.
For distance learners, I offer a 6-week intensive on the topics of Horse Anatomy, Saddle Design, Saddle Shopping, Saddle Fit, Adjustments, and how to Pick Your Pro if you need help. If you’re interested in the next session, reach out to suze@dukeandremington.com.
SAVE MONEY WITH PRE-PAID SESSION PACKAGES
$85 USD Single Session
$225 USD/ 3 SESSION PACKAGE (saves $30)
$425 USD/ 6 SESSION PACKAGE (Saves $85)
$650 USD/ 10 SESSION PACKAGE (saves $200)
Travel costs are included within 30 miles of Waitsburg, Washington, or when you schedule for group travel dates.
ABOUT SUZE WOOD
I'm a master saddle-fitting consultant and equine wellness therapist based in Waitsburg, Washington who specializes in sustaining and optimizing performance for competitive equine athletes, supporting the recovery process for horses who are ill or have been injured, and geriatric support.
A lifelong animal lover, my interest in equine biomechanics and bodywork was sparked in 2010 after observing the physical changes and challenges my horse Duke went through when changing disciplines to begin a new jumping training program. After several years of self-directed study I decided to follow my passion and dedicated myself to improving the comfort and well-being of horses.
I've completed 450 hours of intensive training through the Northwest School of Animal Massage, including anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, advanced massage techniques, acupressure, horse behavior, handling, and energy work. I’ve been nationally certified by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage and licensed in the state of Washington. In 2019 I added saddle fitting to my service offerings, receiving training and certification through the international Master Saddle Fitting Consultants organization.
The majority of my clients are in the Pacific Northwest, but I'm a seasoned globe-trotter who gladly travels internationally and throughout the United States to serve horses and the riders who love them.
Washington State License #AM60568871
NBCAAM Certificate # M-125-15
photography by Reema Al-Zaben
