Mindful Saddle Fit

Mindful Saddle Fit will not be accepting new clients for the foreseeable future.
(See comments for more info)

Hey saddle fit clients! I will not be taking November or December appointments, again this year.

Please let me know ASAP if you would like to have your horse scheduled for October - the next appointments after October won't be scheduled until 2023! [email protected]

Have you ever thought about why wool makes such a great material to use in saddle panels?

Each wool fiber is a molecular spring. Nature has folded the chemical polypeptide chains back upon themselves in such a way that they act like a coiled spring which elongates when extended and retracts when released. A wool fiber can be bent back on itself more than 20,000 times without breaking, compared to about 3,000 times for cotton and 2,000 times for silk. This natural elasticity makes it resistant to tearing while the outer skin of the wool fiber acts as a protective film, making wool fibers strong & resistant to abrasion.
Wool is a hygroscopic fiber; meaning it takes up moisture in v***r form. Tiny pores in the epicuticle make the fiber semi-permeable, allowing v***r to pass through to the heart of the fiber.
This is why, wool can easily absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp or clammy.

We recommend Jacob’s Wool as it has longer fibers with a more uniform diameter. It has a coarse type wool, deeply crimped with a more random crimp pattern which leads to greater strength and elasticity. They are also considered a rare breed so there is less genetic variation.

It is important to know what materials are in the panel of your saddle and what properties they have.

Please note that all updated 2022 fees and prices are listed on my website at www.MindfulSaddleFit.com

Beautiful Short-flap Dressage Saddle for Sale
Frank Baines Capriole, built in December 2019
Black and Havana saddle with subtle cobalt blue trim and blue stitching.

- XXW tree
- 17" seat
- short flaps
- matching velcro/moveable knee blocks
- matching contour girth and stirrup leathers

This saddle is in lovely condition and has had two owners. It was previously fitted to an Andalusian and a mustang, both with broad, flat backs.

Asking $1900 obo.
Local trials possible, with contract and deposit.
Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Will ship at buyer's expense.

Please Note: Due to the increase in overall cost of operation as well as inflation, base prices for saddle fitting, repair and consultation will be increasing as of February 2022.

New prices can be viewed on my website at www.mindfulsaddlefit.com

As always, if you need to schedule to have your saddle fitted please plan at least a few weeks in advance as my schedule fills quickly.

If you have already scheduled your appointment with me, you will be grandfathered in at the old prices - no worries!

www.mindfulsaddlefit.com

I am now able to accept a limited number of new clients.

Contact to book your late winter/ spring appointment ASAP!

Now scheduling for late February/March appointments!

Today is the day! I’ll be there with readymade collars and a few halters and small-horse sized cavessons (in addition to my pottery) alongside 19 other incredible craftsfolk and artisans. Stop by between 11 and 4 and say hello!
9585 East Joy Rd, Plymouth, 48105
(Only a mile from the Gotfredson exit off M-14 - just northeast of Ann Arbor!)

☞︎☞︎Saddle 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 or saddle 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫?☜︎☜︎

What am I? I am totally, 100%, no doubt-about-it-ally a saddle 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.

Yes, I sell saddles. But first and foremost, I turn up at your fitting with the intention to 𝐟𝐢𝐭 your saddle.

I know so many of you put off having a saddle fitter out because you think we’ll say ‘nope, your saddle doesn’t fit, the only one that will fit is this one, at a mere £3800’.

But, that doesn’t (shouldn’t) happen. If you choose a reputable (ask around) and qualified (check out the SMS website) then we are there to 𝐟𝐢𝐭 not 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥.

If you’re worried, have that conversation with the fitter before you book. I know talking about money is a little . But it is perfectly ok to say ‘ideally we will refit Podge’s current saddle, and if I need a new one, I’ll need some time to save up’.

We are used to discussing budgets (and lack of them). We all have ‘budgets’. Some will be tighter than me trying to put on a pair of Spanx. Others will be much bigger. I don’t judge.... hey, when I was younger and putting myself through uni as a single, teenage parent... I was so poor, I snuffled toilet roll out of uni to take home.

So, don’t put off having your saddle checked because you’re worried you’re just going to be sold a new saddle... we are saddle 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 not sellers. Remember that.

Get that saddle checked, at LEAST every six months! It really is an essential part of horse ownership. And if you’re worried you’re going to be sold a saddle, make sure you have a chat with your fitter in advance... they’ll put your mind at ease.

How many times do you see a post on social media that says something like 'has anyone got a 17.5" medium wide jump saddle for sale'?
This implies that the only things that are important during saddle fitting is the length and the width. It also implies that all 17.5" and all MW saddles measure the same.

Neither are true.

There are DOZENS of things we look for in a saddle fitting, width and length being only two of them. Tree shape, rail angle, billet positioning, panel type, gusset depth, gusset length blah blah blah.

And... some 16.5" saddles measure the same as 17.5" saddles... whilst some MW ones fit more like a W in a different brand.

True story.

Photo by Abbi Grief Photography

It is that time of year again! For those who don't know, I also run a sizable boarding and lesson facility. For the months of June, July and August I will have VERY limited availability for leatherwork and saddle fitting, due to our kids' day camp season, and most of that availability is already booked.

I will not be scheduling NEW saddle fit clients until August 18th at the absolute earliest.

Current clients may reach out concerning the limited spots I have available in July.

Thanks for your understanding! My businesses are my passion, but as with all passion projects it is easy to overextend myself!

These cavessons are available to ship! The three pictured are cob/Arabian sized, and is $165-170 a piece.
First is nut brown with sky blue padding and stitching, and brass hardware.
Second is teal leather with grey padding and burgundy stitching, and stainless steel hardware.
Third is light Havana with navy blue padding and stitching.
Not pictured is a horse size black leather cavesson with dark cherry padding and stitching and stainless steel hardware.
Contact me to purchase any, or for more info!

Hey all! I’m listing some ready-to-ship items today! This handmade side-pull is in nut brown leather with matching padding and brown stitching. It has solid brass hardware, a baroque crown piece buckle and is cob size, and $165. Contact me to purchase! (Items are crossposted and may sell via another platform. I’ll do m best to update sold items ASAP!)

Hey all! I’m listing some ready-to-ship items today! This handmade halter is in nut brown leather with sky blue leather padding and stitching. It is actually unfinished in that I can either put plain or Baroque buckles on it. It is horse size, and $180. Contact me to purchase! (Items are crossposted and may sell via another platform. I’ll do m best to update sold items ASAP!)

Hey all! I’m listing some ready-to-ship items today! This handmade halter is in pink leather with grey leather padding and stitching, is cob size, and $180. Contact me to purchase! (Items are crossposted and may sell via another platform. I’ll do m best to update sold items ASAP!)

Hey all! I’m listing some ready-to-ship items today! This handmade halter is in grey and coral pink leather with coral stitching, with rose gold hardware, is horse size and $180. Contact me to purchase! (Items are crossposted and may sell via another platform. I’ll do m best to update sold items ASAP!)

Feeling a bit like I’m coming out of hibernation this week... I have to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while I’ve taken some time to find my inspiration again. I’ve been working on another exciting creative venture (since pre-covid, actually) and the past few months I’ve spent my time working primarily in ceramics and re-developing the medium I loved so much when I was in college.
That being said, something in the air this week - perhaps the smell of sun-warmed, shedding horse - has pulled me back into the workshop with new gusto. Today’s task was five flat, stitched brown bands. These brow bands are curved and I have found they are significantly less likely to pull a crown piece into the backs of a horse’s ears. They are also thinned along the ends in an effort to have less bulk across the TMJ of the horse. My own horses love this design!