My Passion - Helping Horses Worldwide!

In 1984 after qualifying for the European Championships I had to retire my beautiful Hanoverian gelding for lameness, and my riding career came abruptly to an end. I wish I knew then what I have learned in the past 24+ years as a Certified Master Saddler consulting with equine professionals around the world. At very least I know Pirat would have been sound a lot longer, at best my riding career would have gone much farther.

At the time I was riding with the likes of Bettina Overesch-Hoy and other very talented German young riders. After placing in German nationals in 1982 Pirat began showing signs of lameness – which at the time I did not attribute to the saddle, since I was surrounded by experts – vets, trainers, farriers who all had a job of keeping us fit for the team. When I think of the remedial applications we used in an attempt to ward off the lameness with, including blocking, blistering, re-shoeing and all sorts of pharmaceuticals, I could cry. I know now it was simply the fact that the construction of my saddle was not in keeping with the requirements of the horse – with every step his shoulders were hit by forward facing tree points, the too narrow gullet impacted his spinal processes, ligaments, and nerves along his back, and the gullet plate likely pinched him and impeded his wither muscle as he tried to jump and move. I had followed the advice of the experts, but the result was a ‘textbook case’ of torture for my poor horse.

As my horse had suffered from an ill fitting saddle, I am very determined to alleviate this consequence for other horses. It is my life goal and my passion to make a difference by educating riders to help them find optimal saddle solutions for comfort, performance and equine development. Anyone can fit to a horse standing still, but the saddle must work with the biomechanics of the horse in motion for complete back freedom. For me – the biggest thank you is when a horse begins to move freely, happily, and well in a properly fitted saddle! Often clients throw their arms around me, crying with joy, because the difference is that visible and they realize how much harm they had unknowingly done riding in an ill-fitting saddle.

I continually work with other equine professionals in many disciplines to increase knowledge and understanding of making horses more comfortable and protecting their backs. In 2005 I founded the Saddlefit 4 Life® global network with top trainers, physiotherapists, veterinarians, chiropractors, massage therapists, farriers and saddle fitters. Through sharing of expertise and knowledge on products, systems, training methods, we work together to protect the horse’s (and rider’s) back from long term damage. Our Principles are taught in lectures, seminars, demonstrations, symposiums and in one-on-one client sessions in Australia, North America, Asia, Germany, Holland and other parts of Europe. Saddlefit 4 Life® is taught at the German National Riding School as part of the certification program, so that trainers, bereiters and reitlehrers can recognize and diagnose suspected saddle fit issues.

Never again should any horse have to suffer for the ignorance of his rider, nor will a once sound horse have to be farmed out, or put down because the damage is so severe that nothing more can be done to help or change the situation. For me, it’s about helping the horse and the comfort of the horse and rider. I made this my calling and that is why I teach worldwide.
I am excited to join the Barnmice expert forum to share with you the latest information on Principles of Saddle Fit for horse and rider. Through education, together we can improve the well-being of horses and riders worldwide!