Your Saddle is only as good as the person who fits it!
Regardless of what brand of saddle you own, it is your choice of a saddlefitter that you use that will determine how well it works for you and your horse. Please educate yourself enough to understand if you have a true saddlefitter who understands how a horse should move and engage, the relationship between horse and rider and how a saddle is fitted can effect the rider. Learn how to tell the difference between a professional or a "saddle salesman" who doesn't have the depth of knowledge to be able to look at all of the variables of what is required to have a successful fitting saddle for both horse and rider. This is not something that can be learned in text books, it is a lifetime of experience with horses that makes the difference.
Certified Saddlefitters for the Peter Horobin Saddles are experienced horsemen - professionals in the horse industry - who have the experience behind them to recognize the subtleties of evaluating your saddle fit and determining which options will work on an individual basis but also know how to listen to your horse's opinion. Your horse has to live with the choices that you make!
There are Certified Horobin Saddlefitters available in the USA, Canada and Mexico listed below
Hannah Knaebel - Topline Saddlery - Pacific Northwest/Western Canada
Hannah has been riding horses since she was 3, and teaching and training professionally for over 20 years. Having competed at the FEI level in both Eventing and Dressage, she understands the performance that the horse and rider team expect from their equipment. With attention to detail, a strong background in equine biomechanics and a clear understanding of ‘how riding works’ she is the Certified Peter Horobin Saddle Fitter for the Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID, AK) and Western Canada.
Phone: 206.715.1068 Email: hannah.knaebel@gmail.com
Kim Eichorn-Miner - Kim Eichorn Equestrian - Southeastern USA
Kim began training horses at 13 yrs old, riding many disciplines and competing in Western Pleasure, Games, Hunter/jumper. Kim is currently a Dressage and Eventing trainer focusing on the bio-mechanics of the horse. While studying the kinectic energy of the horse and rider it led her to the importance of the correct saddle and correct saddle fit for horse and rider. This led to her receiving a Certification in English Saddlefitting and Flocking (and saddle repair) before becoming a Horobin Certified Saddlefitter.
The Horobin StrideFree Saddles fulfilled all of the requirements in a saddle she was looking for plus the bonus of it being a truly adjustable saddle.
Kim is located in North Carolina but travels to the Southeastern States.
Phone: (704) 213-4842 Email: kineticequine@gmail.com Facebook: Kinetic Equine
Damian Pichardo - Southern California and Nevada
Damian began riding at age six and grew up competing in everything from english and western pleasure to roping in the rodeo. For twenty years he toured the world performing trick and roman riding with shows including Cavalia, the famous Calgary Stampede, and the Tournament of Kings on the Las Vegas strip. As he gained experience, his interests evolved from acrobatics on horses to liberty and classical dressage. His drive for excellence led him to Will Faerber and Karen Loshbaugh, founders of the Art2Ride method of classical foundation training. Damian says, "The first time I went to meet them at their stable I noticed right away how calm, relaxed, and correct their horses were moving." Recognizing the importance of the work they were doing, he decided to pursue the opportunity to learn from them. He moved to San Diego, CA to work alongside them, learned the Art2Ride method, and in the process discovered the art of saddle fitting through Karen. During this apprenticeship, Damian realized he could improve the quality of life for horses with more than just correct training. "My eyes were opened to the importance of proper saddle fit and how an ill-fitting saddle can cause so many problems for the horse and rider. I am now a certified Peter Horobin saddle fitter. I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from such incredible equestrians and excited that I will be helping so many horses and riders in the future through correct training and saddle fitting."
I am here to help provide you and your horse with the best possible saddle solution to promote well being, comfort, and the ability to perform. I am based in the San Diego area but cover all of Southern California and Nevada. I look forward to working with you and your equine friend.
www.LostArtSaddlery.com |(321) 200-2615 | Damian@LostArtSaddlery.com
Teri Rohm - Northern/Central California
Being the horse’s advocate is my main objective. The well being and comfort for the horse is paramount while diminishing struggle for the rider trough optimal saddle fit for both.
Through working with Master Saddlers for 20 years I realized the importance of a correct fitting saddle. My background as a Holistic Trainer and Instructor in Classical Dressage and Jumping for 30 years adds another layer of insight into my approach to saddle fitting.
I’ve been professionally saddle fitting for 13 years. I began my saddle fitting career as a Northern California Rep. for a Nationally known saddle company. In 2018 I started Saddle Fit Specialist to fill the demand for an independent saddle fitter.
The Horobin technology has added a whole new dimension to my saddle fitting skills to fit horse and rider. The Stridefree tree is a very innovative design which allows me to custom fit the gullet plate, on site, to allow proper shoulder clearance. I’ve been amazed at the noticeable improvement in the movement and performance of the horse, it is truly rewarding.
Phone: 510.825.2399 Email:teri@saddlefitspecialist .com Website: Saddlefitspecialist.com
Erica Aulie - Texas
Erica Aulie, CESMT has been serving the Equine community for over 20 years in an effort to repay a lifetime debt to the animals that have so enriched her life.
Originally from Northeast Ohio, Erica grew up competing on the Hunter/Jumper Circuit and later became an assistant trainer and groom at a Standardbred racetrack where she found a passion for identifying and relieving equine soundness issues. In 2004 she completed a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies, and in 2005 she moved to the Pacific Northwest where she put her skills to use as the assistant trainer in a large 3-day eventing program. In 2014, Erica discovered more ways to improve the lives of horses when she relocated to Texas to begin her training as a saddle fitter. Looking to bring together her cumulative knowledge in order to play a bigger role in helping our equine companions, Erica completed her Equine Sports Massage Therapy Certification and formed Hidden Truth Equine in 2018. In 2020, she teamed up with Art2Ride and Peter Horobin Saddlery to form the perfect combination to aide in freedom of movement and soundness. Always learning, Erica continues to spend many hours shadowing her mentors and plans to expand her bodywork practice with other modality certifications in the future. She still rides and enjoys rehabilitating troubled horses in her spare time.
Phone: 541-948-5857 Email: hiddentruthequine@gmail.com Website: Hiddentruthequine.com
Kat Ripley - Southern Oregon
Kat has been smitten with horses for as long as she can remember. She started riding at age 5 and never looked back; from Hunter/ Jumpers to Thoroughbred race exercise rider and finally classical dressage.
She has been a certified LAMP (Large Animal Massage Practitioner) equine body worker for more than 17 years. During her practice, she observed that many of the neuromuscular imbalances that resulted in sore backs and movement restrictions in the horse were the result of poor saddle fit. In an effort to further understand how saddle fit contributed to some of the issues she observed in her client’s horses, she completed a Society of Master Saddle Fitters introductory course in 2014.
While researching adjustable saddles, she discovered Peter Horobin Saddlery and Karen Loshbaugh. Karen provided not only the perfect saddle for Kat and her horse, but the opportunity to be trained as a certified Peter Horobin saddle fitter and representative.
Kat has noticed that Peter Horobin saddles frequently result in immediate improvements in the horse’s freedom of shoulder movement and increased range of motion, as well as improving the rider’s balance and position. Her extensive knowledge of equine anatomy, physiology and biomechanics work in synergy with the saddle fitting process.
Contact: Kat Ripley Phone: 707.478.1988 Email: katripley@att.net
Kelly Theisen - ProEquo Saddlery - Midwestern USA
Kelly's journey in the equestrian world reflects her deep passion and dedication to the sport. Her riding began at the age of 4, developing her skills over the years while exploring various equestrian disciplines, including hunters, jumpers, eventing, and dressage. Beyond FEI eventing, Kelly's interest in Classical Dressage became a driving force in her journey. She immersed herself in the techniques and principles of Classical Dressage, aiming to refine her riding and training methods. This dedication eventually led her to achieve her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals on a homebred, self-trained horses and to become a USDF L graduate.
Kelly's experience and knowledge led her to take on a significant role as the Associate Chair of Equestrian Studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In this position she coached students in various equestrian disciplines, including dressage, equitation, and jumpers. Her emphasis on horse well-being and biomechanics highlights her holistic approach to horsemanship, ensuring that the horses' physical and mental health were central to her teaching.
The challenges Kelly faced with her own FEI dressage horse's saddle fit demonstrate her commitment to her horses' comfort and performance. The custom saddle from Peter Horobin Saddlery provided a solution that greatly improved her horse's well-being. The transformation she experienced in her horse's movement and behavior after switching to the Kitzbuhel Stridefree saddle highlights the importance of proper saddle fit in equestrian sports.
Overall, Kelly's journey showcases her unwavering dedication to the equestrian world, her commitment to lifelong learning, and her ability to adapt and evolve as a rider, trainer, educator and saddlefitter.
(912) 312-6612 www.proequosaddlery.com email: proequosaddlery@gmail.com
Terry Peiper Fit Right Saddle Solutions Crossville, TN
Terry had been “Helping Horses with Their People” for more than 35 years by training and instructing horses and riders when she discovered the huge need for education of proper saddle fit. But, when Terry began sharing what proper saddle fit is and evaluating saddles the same question kept coming up, “where do I get a saddle that fits?” Finding a saddle off the rack that fits is frustrating, expensive and sometimes even impossible. Then, as our horses develop and change shape, the frustrating cycle begins again unless you have a saddle that can be completely adjusted so it continues to fit comfortably.
Terry has been a full time saddle fitter since 2011. She carries adjustable dressage, jump, western performance, trail and endurance saddles. She passionately pursues her mission to educate riders of the importance of proper saddle fit and how it affects our horse’s performance, behavior and ultimately the health of horse and rider through evaluations, presentations and classes. Terry Peiper proudly offers Horobin’s StrideFree Saddles to riders in Tennessee and areas of Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky.
Phone: (717) 609-2822 Email TPeiper@aol.com www.FitRightSaddleSolutions.com
Marnie Maciborski - New Jersey
Erin O'Rielly - O'Reilly Equestrian Services - East Coast Canada
Erin has been riding horses since she was 7 yrs old and has spent the last decade competing, teaching and training. In the Fall of 2017, she traveled to California to learn from founders of Art2Ride, Will Faerber and Karen Loshbaugh. She describes this experience as life changing and is immensely thankful for all that she was able to learn. One of the many things she took from her time there was the impact of correct saddle fit for both horse and rider. After seeing and feeling the response of the horse while ridden in a StrideFree tree, she knew she could never go back. Now, as an associate trainer with Art2Ride and a PHS certified saddle fitter, she devotes all of her time to helping others benefit from the knowledge she is so grateful to have gained.
Phone: 709.690.3187 Email: erinorielly@hotmail.com Facebook: O'Rielly Equestrian Services