Description
Have you ever wondered how much a poorly fitting saddle could be affecting your horse’s comfort, performance, or even behaviour? Saddle fit is a crucial yet often misunderstood aspect of equine welfare, with far-reaching effects on movement, muscle development, and rider harmony. This one-day practical workshop is designed to help equine therapists, experienced horse owners, and equine professionals better understand the principles of saddle fitting and its role in supporting the horse–rider partnership.
Led by award-winning saddle fitter and saddler Laura Nickel, the workshop covers essential topics such as back palpation, mobility assessment, girthing, saddle tree types, and the differences between modern and traditional tack. You’ll learn to recognise the signs that a horse may need a saddle fitting consultation and gain valuable insights into how conformation, movement, and rider influence should be considered in the fitting process.
Through hands-on guidance and real-life case discussion, this workshop equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to identify potential saddle-related issues and make informed referrals. Whether you’re supporting rehabilitation cases or working to optimise everyday performance, this is an invaluable day of learning designed to empower you in your professional role and enhance equine welfare.
Course Name: Saddle Fitting Workshop
Duration: 5.5 hours
Online or Onsite: Onsite – Kildare, Ireland
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
– Understand how saddle fit affects equine comfort, performance, and behaviour
– Recognise physical and behavioural signs that indicate poor saddle fit
– Identify key anatomical and conformational features relevant to saddle fitting
– Differentiate between saddle tree types, girthing methods, and modern vs traditional tack
– Perform basic palpation and mobility assessments to support saddle-related evaluations
– Know when and how to make informed referrals to qualified saddle fitters
Enhance your ability to support the horse–rider partnership by developing a deeper awareness of saddle-related challenges—because a well-fitting saddle is essential to every horse’s well-being and performance.
Choose your course and date. Add to Basket and go through the online payment process. Once you are registered and fee is paid, a member of our team will be in contact with course details.
Equi-ed is affiliated with UK Rural Skills Accreditation EMA.
Clickk to download Certificaiton – UK Rural Skills Accreditation EMA – Equied
Equi-ed is committed to providing a comprehensive education in equine therapy. Our admissions process is designed to select students who have demonstrated a strong interest in the field or currently work in a related industry. Applications are reviewed on a holistic basis, taking into account the applicant’s academic record and experience with horses. Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision with in 5 days of submitting your application form
The application for an equine or canine course is open to students from all backgrounds. Equi-ed is committed to creating diverse and inclusive equine courses. We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. You can book your CPD or Owner course online.
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