09/10/2026
Amanda keeps us on our toes
Practical test for the stubben_ca fitters last week.
The fitters are required to know the origin, insertion, function, relevance to saddle design and back/body health, and whether the structure is healthy or unhealthy, plus biomechanics and tack design.
This is incredibly important, because if your saddle fitter doesn’t know anatomy and how it relates to saddle and tack design, they won’t know how to protect the horse’s back from injury, identify problems, or come up with solutions.
It also protects the consumer by keeping the brand honest. A brand rep who can critically think about anatomical fit is not going to blindly believe marketing hype, and will not ethically push anything that could be detrimental to the horse’s wellbeing.
Recognizing terrible saddle fit is easy — it is the little things we could miss that create big problems later. Anatomical knowledge is the answer to everything.
Spine, including spinous and transverse processes
Scapula, including all landmarks
Scapular cartilage, including cranial angle, dorsal border, and caudal angle
Humerus
Ribs, including true and false ribs
Sternum, including Xiphoid Cartilage
Nerves, including Lateral Thoracic Nerve, Long Thoracic Nerve, Axillary, Suprascapular
The Nuchal and Supraspinous Ligaments
All the joints and junctions
All the muscles of the Thoracic Sling
Serratus Dorsalis Cranialis and Caudalis
All back muscles, including intrinsic and erector spinae
The Stay Apparatus and the Dorso-scapular Ligament
Spine Movement
Shoulder Movement
Center of Gravity
Center of Motion
Rider position on both the back and the tree
Riding Styles and Pressure Distribution Systems
Issues like asymmetry, saddle slip, ECVM, resistance
Conflict behaviors
Girths and girthing
Half pad design
Breastplate design
The purpose of the tree, the pommel, tree points (length, width, and angle), stirrup bar length, the twist, the rails, the cantle, the seat, sweat flap, billet position and length, gullet channel, panels, and flocking.
If that sounds like a lot, just remember that the saddle is the number one cause of injury in the ridden horse. You — and your wallet — deserve a saddle fitter who prioritizes knowledge to keep your horse safe. Never settle for less.
