Independent Saddle Fitting, Done Right
Susan McGinnis is an independent English saddle fitter based in Kerrville, working with dressage and jumping riders across the Texas Hill Country and well beyond. She comes to your barn, fits to your horse, and services the saddles you already own.
Below is what she does and how the fees work. If you’re new to all this, the first step is a free call, and there’s no charge for asking questions.
What a Professional Fitting Actually Involves
A proper fitting is a session, not a measurement. Here is how Susan works through it.
The horse comes first
Susan reads your horse's back, muscling, and movement before she looks at a single saddle. Conformation changes what will and won't work, and there's no shortcut around that.
Then the rider
Seat size, leg length, discipline, and how you actually sit all shape the choice. A saddle that suits the horse but fights the rider isn't a fit. It has to work for both of you.
Saddles on the horse
Based on what she sees, Susan brings out the models most likely to suit. You ride in them. Bring your pad, girth, and stirrups, and plan on a few hours so nothing gets rushed.
Dialed in, then followed up
Once you've found the one, it gets flocked and adjusted to your horse. Horses change, so a fitting is a starting point, not a one-and-done. Susan is a phone call away when it needs a look.
Keeping the Saddle You Own Fitting Well
You don’t need a new saddle to book Susan. A lot of her work is bringing a saddle already in your tack room back to a good fit.
On-Site Flocking
Adding or removing wool in the panels to rebalance the saddle and even out pressure on your horse's back. Most flocking work is done right at your barn.
Full Re-Flock & Panel Work
Deeper flocking jobs and a complete strip-and-reflock are done back at the workshop and usually take a couple of weeks. Susan will let you know the turnaround when she sees the saddle.
Adjustable-Tree Fitting
Widening or narrowing an adjustable tree so the saddle keeps fitting as your horse changes shape through the seasons or comes back into work.
Billet Replacement
Worn or cracked billets replaced with quality leather so the girth holds safely. A small thing that matters a great deal when you're in the tack.
Foam & Air Panel Conversions
Converting foam or air-panel saddles over to traditional wool flocking, for riders who want a panel they can adjust over the life of the saddle.
Fit Evaluation & Tracings
A straight assessment of the saddle you already own. Susan looks at how it sits, tells you what's working and what isn't, and can take back tracings for your records.
Trying something new? Susan is an authorized dealer for Erreplus, and also fits Bliss of London and Ikonic. Demo saddles can come to your barn so you ride in them on your own horse before you decide anything.
Riders Who Want the Fit Sorted
Dressage and jumping riders at every level, on every kind of horse. The green youngster who keeps changing shape. The seasoned campaigner who deserves comfort. The rescue with tricky conformation that nothing off the rack seems to suit.
If your horse pins its ears when the saddle goes on, if you’re fighting your position, or if you just bought a horse and want to start right, that’s exactly the call to make. Bringing your trainer into the process is welcome and often helps.
Not Tied to One Brand
Susan is an independent fitter, not a rep for a single saddle line. That means the recommendation follows your horse, not a sales quota. If the saddle you already own can be made to work, she’ll tell you so.
Because she isn’t on salary, her fees cover her time, her knowledge, and the cost of hauling demo saddles to you. You get an honest read and a range of good options, from the houses she trusts.
How the Fees Work
Every job is a little different, so pricing depends on the work and where you are. Susan goes over current fees with you before anything is booked. No surprises at the barn.
Start with a free 15-minute call
Tell Susan about your horse and your riding. It costs nothing, and it’s how she works out what you actually need before anyone commits time.
$200 books your spot
A $200 deposit holds your appointment and is credited in full toward your fitting. It’s paid before the visit through secure checkout, and it’s non-refundable.
Travel is shared across the day
Susan comes to you. When several riders at one barn book together, the travel splits across everyone, so a barn day is the friendliest way to bring her out. Fees for servicing, flocking, and repairs are quoted per job.
Let’s Get Your Horse Comfortable
Start with the free call. From there, book your spot or ask about servicing the saddle you have. Susan will take it from the barn gate.