Your Partner for a Perfect Saddle Fit

MSFC Qualified Saddle Fitter | 📍 Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Holistic Saddle Fitting

A well-fitting saddle is essential for both your horse's comfort and your own.

When you book with us, our Master Saddle Fitting Consultant ensures a perfect fit by assessing how the saddle impacts both your horse and your riding posture, balance, and comfort.

Meet Lizelle

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The Symmetry Mission

Finding quality equestrian products and services you can trust in South Africa can be a challenge. We are here to change that. We take the guesswork out of equestrian care by offering reliable, high-quality products and empowering you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Products you can rely on

From materials we trust

Committed to the horse's well-being

Tested by a Master Saddler

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@equine.symmetry

I share tips on saddle fit, horse and rider fitness and welfare-focused horse management.

Yes, one ride in a bad saddle can do a lot of damage. Not just physically but also mentally. So what happens when we keep riding in it?

➡️In just 1 ride, you might see signs like resistance, stiffness, or tail swishing. Your horse might not be as excited to see you the next day.
➡️After 1 week, this can escalate to soreness, muscle tension, and behavioral changes such as reluctance to be saddled. You might start seeing some behavioural issues arise (cantering on the wrong lead, struggling to engage hind quarters, short stride, bucking or even rearing).
➡️Within 1 month, muscle atrophy and restricted movement can start to develop, leading to tension in other parts of the body like the back and neck.
➡️After 1 year, chronic pain, behavioral issues. The horse that would never go lame suddenly has soundness issues.
➡️Over multiple years, the damage can become irreversible, with long-term muscle, nerve, and postural issues that can severely affect the horse’s quality of life and ability to work.

Let’s take a real-world example: A horse with a short back was fitted with a pony saddle that seemed to fit — the gullet was wide enough, and the saddle length was appropriate. However, the design caused the saddle to press into the horse’s trapezius muscles.

The trapezius is crucial for shoulder movement and supporting the front end of the horse. When pressure or weight is placed on this muscle, it restricts the horse’s ability to move its shoulders freely, leading to tension, muscle atrophy, and significant pain over time. The horse starts compensating by overusing other parts of its body, like the hindquarters and neck, which leads to stiffness, uneven movement, and eventually chronic discomfort. 🐎 Prolonged pressure on the trapezius can lead to long-term lameness, loss of muscle function, and irreversible damage. ❌

Saddle fit is not just about size and gullet width — the design and placement are critical for ensuring your horse’s comfort and long-term health. 🌟

#SaddleFitMatters #HorseCare #SaddleFit #HorseHealth #EquestrianLife #EquinePerformance #” #EquestrianEducation #HealthyHorse

Saddle fitters in general are hard to come by. But truly qualified and experience fitters that put the horse first. Well they are even more rare.

The industry is a perfect storm of systemic issues that make finding a skilled, ethical fitter a real challenge.

🧐It’s a very poorly regulated industry. Imagine a field where there are no universally accepted degrees or certifications. That’s saddle fitting. You can take a weekend online course or complete a rigorous, multi-year apprenticeship, and both might get you a certificate saying you’re a “fitter.”
This creates an environment where everyone has a different set of skills and, often, conflicting philosophies.

🤑 It’s not a great business model. In any business, time is money. For a saddle fitter, doing the right thing for the horse means taking as long as it takes. That could mean spending 2 hours on a single appointment, meticulously checking every detail and making precise adjustments. It could also mean walking away from a lucrative sale because you simply don’t have the right saddle for that horse. The financial pressure to rush appointments and prioritize a sale over a perfect fit is immense. An ethical approach makes it a tougher business to run and survive on.

👀Experience is everything. While knowledge of anatomy and saddle construction is critical, theory needs the context of practical experience. Fitters need an almost intuitive sense of how a horse moves, how a saddle sits, and how the rider influences the entire dynamic. Additionally, a lot of what we do is based on ‘feel’. So many courses only offer theoretical and remote learning. From my own experience, there is a lot that needs to be taught in person. There is a specific type of ‘feel’ we need to learn and develop. This expertise is earned over 100s of hours, working with a variety of saddles, horses and their unique bodies. And since most saddle fitters tend to want to shit talk about each other instead of collaborating, we lose that shared knowledge we gain in other industries.

🔬The science is always changing and if fitters are not committed to a career of life long learning, outdated methods and solutions are used, hurting our horses

“Do more groundwork”

It’s time for a reality check on our horse training. I’ll say it again: Groundwork makes the dream work.

It’s the single most powerful, yet underrated, activity for ensuring long-term soundness in our horses under saddle.

We often get intimidated, thinking groundwork means crazy ‘desensitization’ or complicated liberty work. But it doesn’t. At its core, groundwork is simply giving your horse the opportunity to move and train without the added weight of a rider.

Why? Ridden work, especially with an unbalanced rider, can place significant strain on a horse’s back. Groundwork, like correct lunging or pole work, encourages the horse to use their core and hindquarters to carry themselves, not us. This builds the topline and ‘thoracic sling’ muscles (the muscles that support the trunk between the front legs), which are essential for carrying weight correctly.

Think of it like a human athlete. You wouldn’t expect a powerlifter to start with their heaviest workload. They would gradually build up to it. Likewise, groundwork prepares your horse’s body for the physical demands of ridden work, improving joint flexion and blood flow. It also engages their mind, making them more focused and responsive.

Additionally, groundwork allows you to build a clearer line of communication. Equitation science research has found that horses trained regularly with groundwork have a lower heart rate during ridden work, suggesting they are more relaxed and trust their rider. They learn to understand your body language and cues from the ground, which makes the same aids under saddle much clearer and less confusing.

And most importantly, many soundness issues are a result of improper muscle development and chronic strain. By strengthening your horse’s body on the ground first, you are actively reducing the risk of injury when you do ride.

Don’t jump on and expect them to be perfect. Get their bodies strong first, and keep them strong. A few minutes of pole work, in-hand transitions, or correct lunging can make all the difference. Your horse will thank you for it, and your partnership will be stronger because of it.

Before I became a saddle fitter, my horse journey was one of love, joy but also unintended harm and heartbreak. This is never easy for me to speak about or share. This video of my older mare tells a painful story—a story of what I now know was abuse, caused by me, the girl who loved her so deeply and unconditionally.

The white marks you see along her spine are more than just cosmetic. They’re damage from pressure spots that developed from an ill-fitting saddle, damaging the hair follicles and creating irreversible damage ALL THE WAY TO THE BONE.

I am a qualified saddle fitter now, and I’ve dedicated my life to learning. But there was a time when I was ignorant. I didn’t hurt her because I wanted to; I loved and cared for her to the best of my ability. But where my knowledge failed, she suffered.

That’s why I approach every fitting with compassion, patience, and try not to judge. I’ve made all the mistakes and unintentionally caused harm to the animals I love most. I can’t change the past, but I can help you do better than I did. We can build an ethical and beautiful bond with our horses, but we need the knowledge to care for them properly. Even with all I know now, I know there is still so much more to learn.

I’ve dedicated my life to this work because of her and so many others. But I had to start somewhere, and my beginning was a place of love without knowledge. I never intended to cause her pain. I cared for her with everything I had, but where I was ignorant, I failed her. Unfortunately, ‘not knowing’ is not an excuse. Especially now in the age of sooo much knowledge at the tip of our fingertips. We can do so much better.

I can’t go back and undo the harm I caused, but I can help others avoid it. It starts with knowledge, question everything we know and do. But most importantly no matter what knowledge we lack, understand that when it comes to horses: BEHAVIOUR IS ALWAYS COMMUNICATION.

If you are wondering about my mare. She has and will always be in my care. She is the most expensive carrot slicer I can own but she deserves a life of peace, and freedom. And so happy I can give that to her ❤️

#saddlefit #horsewelfare #horsecare #saddlefitting

Your tack is a not only a significant investment, leeping it in good, clean and healthy condition is essential for your horse’s care too.

Proper care ensures it lasts for years, keeps its beautiful appearance, and, most importantly, stays strong and safe for both you and your horse.

✅The “Do’s” of Saddle Care

🧽 After each use, wipe away dirt and sweat. Regularly apply a natural, solvent-free leather balm to keep the leather soft and supple. This helps maintain its strength and flexibility without damaging the fibres. Depending on your climate or how often you use it, this could be every 2 weeks or monthly.

Store your saddle in a damp-free climate. Always use a saddle cover or put a clean sheet or pad over, to protect it from dust and scratches when not in use.

💨If your saddle gets wet, let it air dry naturally away from direct heat sources like heaters or sunlight.

❌The “Don’ts” of Saddle Care

🛢️Never use heavy oils or leather cleaners that contain solvents. These can strip the dye, clog the pores of the leather, and weaken the fibers, leading to stretching and tears.

🪣Don’t Hose or Soak: Never hose or soak your leather tack. Water can be very damaging and hard to get out of the deeper parts of the leather.

🧼When cleaning, use a soft cloth or sponge. Scrubbing too hard can damage the leather’s surface. Use a very gentle leather cleaner or soap instead.

✨Store your saddle on a proper stand or rack. Stacking it, or any pressure on the bars panels can deform the panels and create pressure points in your horse’s back.

Following these simple steps will ensure your saddle stays in excellent condition, helping you and your horse ride safely for years to come!

#saddlefit #saddlecare #horsecare #equestrianlife

Groundwork makes the dream work!

Spiced up our in hand pole work with a nice obstacle course today 🥳

We did 4-6 reps of each exercises. Don’t underestimate how tricky these can be for your horse so when they start looking a bit tired, knocking more poles, or just not looking too impressed it might be time to stop or take a break.

For best results incorporate these exercises or similar ones into your weekly workouts (atleast 3-5 days a week). The secret is short but frequent session.

Polework is amazing for building your horse’s topline, strengthen stifles, strengthening their core, targeting specific muscles groups and getting them fit without a rider on!

People are usually amazed by how much their horses change shape, and even how much better they move when doing in hand geound work, and polework regularly.

#equestrianlife #polework #horsewelfare #groundwork #horsetraining #horserehab

Being a great rider is about more than what happens in the saddle. True horsemanship means caring for your horse’s entire well-being. Here are six crucial areas that directly impact their comfort, performance, and happiness.

🏋️‍♀️Rider Fitness: A strong, balanced rider allows their horse to move freely without strain. Core strength and flexibility help you become a more stable and effective partner, preventing back pain for your horse.

🫧🧽Clean Tack: Dirty or stiff tack can cause painful rubs and sores, leading to behavioral issues. Regularly cleaning and conditioning your equipment is essential for your horse’s comfort and safety.

🚶Groundwork: This is the foundation of communication. Groundwork teaches your horse to listen to your body language and builds trust, making them more willing and cooperative when you ride.

🤓🦄Understanding Equine Behavior: Learn to “speak horse” by reading their body language. Recognizing signs of stress or pain allows you to address issues early and build a deeper, more empathetic bond.

✅Tack Fit: Ill-fitting tack is a major source of pain and behavioral problems. Always ensure your saddle and bridle fit correctly, and don’t hesitate to consult a professional saddle fitter.

🐴🐎 Let Horses Be Horses: Ridden work is a small part of their life. Maximize turnout and provide an enriched, natural environment to keep them mentally and physically healthy. The happier they are out of the saddle, the better they’ll be in it.

By focusing on these areas, you’re not just improving your riding skills; you’re prioritizing your horse’s complete well-being. What’s one thing you’re focusing on this week to help your horse feel their best?

#equestrianlife #horsewelfare #tackfit #turnoutyourhorses #saddlefit

While there’s a ton of great content out there, we need to be really, really careful about what we take to heart. Yes, I share info all the time and my intention is to help make what I have learnt as accessible as possible, BUT social media is a very poor information source.

For starters, even when the advice is technically correct, it often lacks context. I see this all the time with my clients. Take gullet channels, for example. We’ve rightly learned that a wider gullet gives the horse’s spine space to move, which is fantastic! But now I’m seeing the opposite problem: gullets that are too wide because people are over-correcting without understanding the nuances for their specific horse. Context is everything in the horse world!

And let’s be real, the algorithm loves controversy. It’s designed to show us what gets reactions and comments, even if it’s polarizing or not entirely accurate. Creators sometimes post things they know aren’t 100% accurate just because it gets their content seen. It’s about entertainment, not always education, and that’s a big difference.

Honestly, before I became a qualified saddle fitter, I had so many strong opinions I’d confidently share. Looking back, it’s a bit embarrassing how much I got wrong! But people supported and shared those opinions, proving that anyone can post their thoughts, regardless of actual expertise.
The algorithm doesn’t care about ethics or education; it just wants engagement.

Nothing beats hands-on learning, a trusted professional, and understanding your own horse’s unique needs. We have access to so much information! Don’t only rely on social media! Use multiple sources and most importantly, common sense!

Horses speak to us all the time ⏲️ We just need to listen.

Sometimes horses aren’t feeling their best. And if you couldn’t verbally speak to someone, how might you show them that you don’t feel well enough to work that day?

- Would you move away when getting groomed?
- Would you pin your ears back when the saddle comes out?
- Would you avoid getting the bridle put on?
- Would you try warn them with a nip or bared teeth when they try do up a girth?
- Would you be slow and low energy when ridden or worked with?
- Or if still no one hears you, might you buck or bolt away?

Makes you think, doesn’t it?...

There is always a reason behind a horse’s ‘bad’ behaviour. Instead of seeing everything our horses do, as malicious or ‘an issue’. What if we just saw it as information. What if we asked ourselves what they might be trying to tell us?

Let me know what you think below. 👇

#Saddlefit #horsewelfare #equestrianlife #saddlefitting

I once had a client suggest I don’t favor foam panels because it means ‘less chargeable work for me as a fitter.’ 🤔 Ouch!

Let’s clear the air: My priority is always your horse’s comfort and performance. Foam panels, while seemingly convenient, often fall short in providing the dynamic, adaptive fit horses truly need. They don’t conform to unique back shapes, can create pressure points, and often hinder optimal weight distribution.

Plus their lack of adjustability means that they have a very short lifespan, as opposed to wool which can be redone and replaced regularly. In theory if you look after you saddle with wool panels it can last for generations. I give your foam panels 2-6 years maximum before you have to throw it out!

My work as a fitter is about achieving the best fit, not avoiding it. I will almost ALWAYS recommend wool (especially real wool) in your panels over other options. But what flocking is the best is a different can of worms which I’ll cover in a future post.

#SaddleFitterLife #HorseComfort #EquineWellness #SaddleFit

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The Symmetry Mission

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Holistic Saddle Fitting

The Symmetry Mission

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