HEARD AT HQ WITH AMANDA ANDERSON

In this episode of Heard at HQ, we sit down with Amanda Anderson, founder of saddlefitting.us, to talk honestly about saddle fit, rider responsibility, and some of the most common misunderstandings in the sport. Amanda brings a refreshingly clear, evidence-based perspective to a topic that often becomes emotional or confusing. We discuss what good saddle fitting…

BylizzieFebruary 6, 20260Comments

An image of a saddle rack with a black jumping saddle in the background out of focus with a brown jumping saddle in the front in focus - HQ Magazine

Horse and Rider Horse Channel

RIDER ANATOMY

How it affects your position Text: Christie Wolhuter Images: Supplied Saddles come in various shapes and sizes, and humans come in even more! When it comes to saddle fitting, much attention is paid to how a saddle fits a horse, and whilst this is certainly the most important factor, it is still beneficial to take the rider’s anatomical…

BylizzieNovember 10, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: CLOSE CONTACT SADDLES

Q: What’s the difference between a close contact and a normal jump or dressage saddle? Is one better than the other? A: Close contact saddles are usually monoflap saddles, meaning that there’s just one layer of leather underneath your leg, rather than the usual two. These saddles, therefore, tend to have more streamlined panels than…

BylizzieJuly 31, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: SADDLER VS SADDLE FITTER

Q: What is the difference between a saddler and a saddle fitter? A: Quite often, people say they need the saddler when they actually need a saddle fitter. The two are entirely different. The saddler is the person who physically makes the saddle. They are craftspeople skilled in cutting, stretching, and creating the saddle. The saddle fitter…

BylizzieMay 11, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training Know How

ASKHQ: TREELESS QUANDRY

Q: Should I go treeless? A: The tree of a saddle is generally considered pretty fundamental in that it helps to balance the rider and distribute the pressure and forces generated over the horse's back to where they are supported by the ribcage. It follows therefore that the risks of a treeless saddle are that it…

BylizzieJanuary 19, 20200Comments

Horse Channel Know How

SADDLE FITTING FOR TRICKY BACKS

Saddles are generally designed to fit the average horse. However, we all know (and perhaps own) a horse who has less than average conformation. When fitting a saddle the key is to check that the saddle is the correct width for the width of the spine, and that the balance is correct from front…

BylizzieFebruary 5, 20190Comments

HEARD AT HQ WITH AMANDA ANDERSON

RIDER ANATOMY

ASKHQ: CLOSE CONTACT SADDLES

ASKHQ: SADDLER VS SADDLE FITTER

ASKHQ: TREELESS QUANDRY

SADDLE FITTING FOR TRICKY BACKS

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