IMPORTANT INFORMATION

There are several signs that your saddle isn't working well for you or your horse. Girthyness or sensitivity being saddled. Reluctance to go forward, bucking, or being overly forward. Favoring one "good side", or riding with an open or chomping mouth.

For riders - back or knee pain after riding. Difficulty riding one side of the horse. Getting the same critiques from your coach lesson after lesson - "sit deep" or "get your lower leg under you".

If you notice any of these, your saddle may be working against you. A professional fitting can help address these issues and improve comfort, balance, and performance - for both of you.

Under normal circumstances, having your saddle fit every 6-12 months is good practice.

We need to keep a closer eye on horses who are moving into a new saddle, horses who are young & growing rapidly, and horses that have been affected by an illness or injury. In these cases, fitting can be recommended as often as every 3 months.

Saddle fit is not static, and changes to your horses body condition, diet, exercise schedule & their age will all have an impact on how their saddle fits. If you're noticing big changes in their body or new behaviours pop up - they'll often let you know when it's time to check in sooner.

A full saddle fitting includes an in-barn assessment of your saddle, a postural evaluation of your horse and a structural review of your tack. You'll receive full back tracings, guidance about how to interpret them & notes from your fitting. We'll discuss the strengths and potential concerns with your saddle's fit, along with remedies or adjustments that could be made. Whenever possible, a ridden assessment is included to ensure the saddle works optimally for both horse & rider.

To make the most of your appointment, it's best to have your horse inside & groomed beforehand. Having your tack ready on a nearby rack helps the session run smoothly and allows us to focus on what's important.  If you board at a busy barn, it's helpful to set up in a spot where we won't be in the way of turn-in or lessons.

Yes, I specialize in English made saddles with wool flocked panels chosen for their range of fit and adjustability. Demo saddles are brought to appointments to use as educational tools and are also available for sale. Saddles from third party or private sales can also be evaluated with no brand bias - our only concern is finding the right fit for horse & rider.

No, fitting and working on western saddles requires its own set of expertise and we do not offer consultations for western tack at this time.

Heartwood is based outside of Orillia, Ontario in beautiful Simcoe County & regularly organizes trips throughout the province.

Frequently traveling the 400 corridor - from the GTA to "up north" - fittings are available as far west as Guelph, east to Peterborough, and north to Parry Sound & Haliburton Highlands.

Fittings in the Ottawa area are offered several times throughout the year.

Trips further afield can be organized for larger groups.

Mileage is calculated based on CRA's reasonable allowance rates, currently $0.62 / km. Total mileage is split between the day's clients whenever applicable.

No, Heartwood does not offer online saddle fittings. It isn't possible to fully assess a saddle or how it interacts with both horse and rider without being physically present. Likewise, inspecting tack for wear, and the tree for integrity and symmetry, requires a hands-on evaluation to ensure a proper fit.