Saddle Fitting Concept

Searching for the Perfect Saddle fit?

Many riders find it difficult and frustrating trying to match horses to a properly fitting saddle.  The Port Lewis Impression Pad was designed to help riders achieve that match.  

It is a pad that retains the impression of the saddle and helps riders learn the truth about the way their saddles fit. It comes in its own styrofoam cardboard carrying case.  It consists of two  panels connected along the backbone by velcro.  The substance in the panels has the consistency of red dough.  

Place the Impression Pad directly under the saddle as you would a regular pad. Once the horse is saddled, ride him for at least a half hour, making sure you vary gait and terrain. Then unsaddle and check the pad for impressions.  If the impressions are shallow and uniform, consider your saddle to be a good fit, with that horse and you as the rider.  

It is important to note that if one of the variables changes (horse, saddle, rider) the fit should be checked all over again..  

 

Once you know how it fits? 

You have checked your saddle with the Impression pad, and you find you have two "holes" you can see through at the withers, and you realize that your saddle has been like an ill-fitting shoe that is really tight in spots.

The Master Correction Kit allows you to build Correction Panels that will correct most saddle fit problems. It's simply a matter of putting the right spacer, in the right spot.  For example..build up the space directly behind the withers to lift the saddle off of them. 
Simply put, it is like an insole in the shoe, what we are trying to achieve is equal weight distribution all along the horses back! 

Saddles should not put any pressure on the horses backbone..they should sit without rocking or bridging. The Foam Rubber Spacers are varying thicknesses that are attached with velcro backs to the Leather Panels, the accuracy of the Correction panels is determined by retesting them on the Impression pad.  

Many riders are able to feel the difference in the saddle fit as soon as the correction panels with the right foam rubber spacers are used.  
They will have a better position in the saddle, and the horse begins to move more comfortably, usually within a few minutes.  

So, that is the concept..

It is really quite simple, 

Check the fit with the Impression Pad

Build a correction (or insole) with the Foam Rubber Spacers

Check the fit with the spacers in place

Put the spacers on the leather panels and insert into a Cordura and Cotton Correction Pad. 

and ride off  comfortably into the sunset!