RE: Who better to ask re: saddle fit?

[Greg Roskies <groskies@rocler.qc.ca>]

Thanks Tara for the vote of confidence.  The Port Lewis Saddle Fit System
you are referring to is actually called an Impression Pad, the price is
$199. 

For all of you that haven't seen it yet, the Impression Pad is made from
clear vinyl and filled with pliable putty. It is placed under a saddle like
a standard saddle pad. When the horse is ridden for a 30-minute period, it
retains an imprint of the pressure placed on the horse's back. It shows an
exact impression of how that saddle, fits that horse, with that rider. The
Impression Pad can be reused after leveling it with a (kitchen) rolling pin.

There are 2 other components to the System; The Correction Panels and
Correction Pad. 

The Correction Panels work in conjunction with the Impression Pad.  Once you
have determined your saddle fit problem, you are able to create customized
saddle panels to correct the fit. The accuracy of the Correction Panels is
determined by attaching them to the Impression Pad and going for another
ride.  The Correction Panels can be taken apart and readjusted as your horse
changes shape or to fit a different horse.

After the Correction Panels have been built they are placed in pockets in
the Correction Pad.  The Correction Pads are available in a variety of
styles and colors to fit all types of saddles.
  

Regards,
Greg Roskies
The Port Lewis Workshop
Web site: http://www.rocler.qc.ca/portlewis

> From: Tara Wheeler <harpy@io.com>
> Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 10:12:32 -0600
> To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> Subject: RC:  RE: Who better to ask re: saddle fit?
> 
> If I were starting out all over again, this is what I'd do.
> 
> I'd buy a Port Lewis saddle fit system (about $130 from Long Riders Gear and
> other vendors) and try saddle after saddle after saddle hoping to find that
> perfect fit (what I'm currently doing with a borrowed Port Lewis).
> 
> Another option would be to find a Sharon Saare dealer willing to work with
> you and get that fit perfect (and it's your job to keep after that dealer
> until you and your horse are happy).
> 
> And if you can't wait for a custom saddle, or you're getting frustrated
> trying to find that perfect used saddle, try a Sportssaddle and a Skito pad.
> 
> There are no perfect fit saddles out there.  It's all trial and error.

> You'll have a saddle that fits perfect for a while and then your horse will
> either muscle up, or fatten up, or slim down or any one of a dozen things
> will happen and the saddle won't fit anymore.
> 
> It's a constant progress.
> 
> Try every saddle out there.  You'll never know when you'll find that perfect
> fit.
> 
> But I'd try to stay with brand names.  I've got two 'custom jobs' from
> unknowns that I doubt I'll ever be able to sell.
> 
> Just trying to save you a lot of time, money and heartache (not to mention
> trying to save your horse a major back problem!).
> 
> 
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