How to fit your Specialized Saddles

The Specialized saddle can be easily adjusted to fit your horse in 3 ways: pad position, pad thickness, and by inserting shims. It is also possible to select 3 different stirrup positions by adjusting the attach point of the stirrup leathers- centered, balanced, or forward. Most saddles ordered come with the standard 3/4" cushions.

WHAT TREE DO I ORDER? The vast majority of horses do well in the regular or standard tree. With three cushion choices, 1/2", 3/4" and 1" plus shims, there is a great degree of adjustability. If you horse is flat backed or wide, choose the wide tree. We also have a mule tree that simply has flatter bars. We also have a shorter pony tree. TO BE SURE, you may also order and Equimeasure Mold kit to get an exact replica of your horses back at that moment, and send it on to the Specialized Saddle office in Texas. Your saddle with come shimmed exactly to that mold. IF you ride multiple horses, wider is usually better. Call 336-267-0276 for more details and advice!

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHECK MY FIT? Depending on the amount you ride and how you ride, at minimum saddle fit should be checked once a month on a bare back. Take out your shims and start from scratch. You might also consider having all three size cushions on hand if you ride multiple horses. Order more cushions here.

WORKING ON A BLANKETED SURFACE OR THE GROUND IS BEST AS YOU ARE WORKING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SADDLE. YOU'LL NEED A HELPER, SCISSORS, A FLASHLIGHT, SCREWDRIVER AND STOOL.

DO THIS FIRST: SOFTEN THE EDGES OF YOUR CUSHIONS AND ADJUSTING YOUR STIRRUP POSITION AND LENGTH: Note the position of the cushions: they line up along the straight line of the Velcro in the spine area, and hang evenly over the front and back edges of the tree. Carefully remove both cushions. With a rriers rasp, gently take down just the edge of the straight side of the cushion that is along the center of the saddle. Smooth it with sandpaper. This will alleviate a pressure line. Then, unscrew the stirrup screws on both sides. Replace the cushions. Sit in your new saddle to determine your stirrup length and proper position for your style of riding (three holds for centered, balanced, and forward placement). Remove the cushions, and replace the screws to hold the stirrup position. Be sure to "fill in" the area around the screw site with a shim to take up the dip in the tree. Reposition the cushions as noted above.

Then square up your horse on a level surface. Place the saddle with cushions on a bare back, sliding it from way forward and then back to just behind the scapular, or just overlapping. Don't cinch up.

Step #1 WHAT CUSHION TO USE: If the saddle seems to sit low, or narrow, or too wide, make cushion adjustments either toward or away from the center. You only need to peel back 1/3 of the cushion, not the entire pad. If you find you need to move the cushions more than 1" then try the next size cushion. Refit until satisfactory. Remember, we want the least amount of shimming possible. Some horses need almost none. Some need a lot. Each cushion presents it's own scenario. You might be surprised what works! Remember where you've placed the cushion both front and back so you reposition them properly if you need to shim.

Step #2 CHECKING FOR BRIDGING: Square up your horse again. With a flashlight and stool and keeping the saddle centered and with slight pressure on the seat (it helps to have another person to help), check from both the front and back to insure the cushions are clearing the spine, and touching the horses back evenly. If you have a cut-out on your saddle, you can also look there. Lift up the stirrup and jockey to see the same area. If you see areas that are not touching the back in the middle, your saddle is "bridging". Make note of it on both sides as horses are not necessarily the same on both sides, turn the saddle upside down, lift the cushion and add shims to compensate for the void. Put cushions back in the position determined for width (Step #1). Return the saddle to the bare back, square up the horse, and check again. Adjust if necessary.

 SHIMS: are used to "fill in the voids" where the cushion does not follow the contour of your horses back. There are wedge shaped shims and flat wide shims. They are used to fill in, and to make a smooth transition from the wedge to the tree so as to not create a pressure point with an abrupt drop-off. Shims can be cut with heavy duty scissors.

Step #3 OTHER VOID AREAS: after checking for bridging, take another look in the gullet and rear areas to make sure your bridging shims haven't changed the other fits. Then, check at the area behind the scapular (often a hollow area here) and at the rear on both sides. Shim if necessary. Recheck every area.

Remember to "transition" if you have to use a wedge shim, meaning use smaller pieces of less thick neoprene against the tree for a smooth transition. Before you reattach the cushion for a final check, run your hand along the cushion to make sure its smooth and without bumps that would make a pressure point.

	- Shims are inserted between pad and tree .
	- Easy stirrup position adjustment screws for balanced, centered or forward positioning depending on your riding style.
	- Pads can be easily peeled back, removed to quickly reposition. Also shims can be inserted to achieve the perfect fit. Pads are available in several different thickness for proper desired fit
	- Shims are a wedge that is shaped or flat and available in different thickness. You can insert them wherever needed to adjust and support the proper shape of your horses backs. They can also be trimmed with scissor to fit your saddle tree shape.

- 3 different pad thicknesses available.
- The pads can be moved forward, back, in or out.
- Shims can also be inserted to adjust fit.
- Easy to move- Velcro pads and shims.

Check our CALENDAR  for our live appearances. We can help you on site to recheck your fit with a scan or visual. We usually bring extra shim packs and all sizes of replacement cushions. You can also purchase new cushions and shim packs.