Hello, Barnmice friends!

I’m Lori Anderson, founder of Sport Horse Therapeutic Services and a longtime independent saddle fitter with a real passion for helping horse owners cut through the confusion of saddle shopping. Whether you’re buying your first English saddle or simply want pain-free rides for you and your horse, you’re in the right place.

“Over the past 10 years, both in-person and remote, my biggest passion has become teaching: I’ve developed interactive forms, videos, and practical materials, all shared on my site SaddleFitSolved.com. My goal is to make sure every owner truly understands the process, not just rely on an expert’s word.” I figure if my help is not understood, the process will take much longer. It is not enough that “I know” what I am doing… I feel all owner/riders can and should know some things that they just are never taught and certainly won’t find out on your basic saddle fitting groups.

Searching for a new (or used) saddle can quickly turn into a frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive endeavor. Even experienced riders and caring owners are often overwhelmed by conflicting advice, unclear terminology, or horror stories about “perfect fits” that turn out to be anything but. Still, even today, forums and groups are full of questions about confusing saddle fit advice, especially as most are matching a saddle to changing horse shapes.

I have found that lack of knowledge and attention to the tree shape is the #1 attributor. I do focus mostly on English-style saddles. I have a free PDF titled “The Top Three Reasons You're STILL Struggling to Find the Right Saddle” on my website that you are welcome to! No spam, just something I wish every horse owner had years ago.

You can grab it here: (it’s at the top of the page in the first text block) https://www.saddlefitsolved.com/find-a-saddle-that-fits.html

The stakes are high: the wrong saddle tree can cause discomfort, training problems, or even real pain for both horse and rider.

A well-fitted saddle isn’t just about avoiding pain. It impacts your relationship with your horse, their long-term soundness, your balance and confidence, and your shared enjoyment of every ride. Painful areas aren’t always obvious, making the search for the right saddle even trickier—especially with so many options, brands, and online pitfalls out there.

My Philosophy

Over many years in the field, I’ve helped hundreds of riders navigate what boils down to about five key stages to successful saddle shopping:

• Know Your Horse – Take a step back: learn your horse’s unique shape, back length, and wither profile before browsing.
• Measure and Document – Back tracings, wither templates, and photos can save you from costly mistakes.
• Shop Smart – Understand new vs. used, recognize true quality, and don’t fall for labels or low prices alone.
• Remote Evaluation – Ask for specific photos and info from sellers; don’t rely on “it fits everything!” ads.
• Trial with Purpose – Make the most of every trial period by checking fit on the horse, under saddle, and after riding.

Field-Tested Tip: Always request the necessary photos! I’m happy to share my PDF that has the ones you need and explains why and how!

I’m not a big Facebook person, so…

I’d love to share honest, actionable tips and real client stories here and at SaddleFitSolved.com if you want to geek out a bit! If you have a burning question, a photo you want feedback on, or just want to share your favorite (or most embarrassing!) saddle-shopping story—please drop a comment below. Your questions will help shape future posts and, together, we’ll take the mystery (and misery) out of finding your next perfect fit.

What’s your biggest saddle fit question right now? Let’s tackle it together!