HorseHaus Blog
Which Saddle Pad Is Best? (Is There a Right Answer?)
Gel pad, foam, or saddle blanket? After years of fitting saddles — and happily taking a hammer to the hand at horse fairs to prove a point — I've decided the real question isn't cushioning. It's friction. Here's why, and the pad I keep coming back to.
Tree Width and the Gullet Channel – Is Wider Always Better?
My horse needs a wide tree" is the most common misconception I meet in my fitting practice — and acting on it makes many horses less comfortable, not more. Chapter 3 unpacks what tree width actually means, how the gullet plate and gullet channel each affect fit, and two simple checks you can do yourself to see whether yours match your horse's back.
5 Key Parameters of Saddle Fit – A Practical Checklist
You don't need special equipment to catch a saddle that doesn't fit — just five checks you can do yourself in a barn aisle in under fifteen minutes. This chapter walks through spine and wither clearance, balance, panel contact, length, and stability: what each one means, why it matters to your horse, and exactly how to test it. These five won't replace a skilled fitter, but they'll tell you when something is wrong — and when it's worth calling one in.
The Anatomy of Saddle Fit: What the Horse’s Back Tells You
No two horses carry the same back — and the back you fit today isn't the one you'll fit in six months. Before you can judge whether a saddle fits, you have to read the landscape beneath it. This chapter breaks down the five parameters that define your horse's topline — withers, back shape, length, croup height, and girth groove — and closes with a 20-minute hands-on exercise to assess your own horse.
How to Evaluate Saddle Fit
Saddle fit knowledge belongs to every horse owner — not to replace your fitter, but to help you see what you're looking at and ask better questions. This is the home of our free Saddle Fitting Guide: a plain-language series that takes you from reading your horse's back to evaluating any saddle on any horse. Start here, then work through the chapters at your own pace.
How Do I Know Which Bit Is Right for My Horse?
Choosing the right bit comes down to three things: fit, function, and listening to your horse. Learn how to measure bit width and thickness, understand the difference between single and double jointed mouthpieces, and recognize what your horse is telling you — step by step.
Beyond 'Clean': Why Standard Brushes Leave Your Horse in the 'Deep-Dust Shadow
Ever wonder why your horse looks clean in the barn but "flat" in the arena? Most riders are accidentally "sealing in" a layer of fine dust that kills light reflection. Discover the science of "Shine" and why the transition from synthetic to natural fibers is the professional’s best-kept secret for a competition-ready coat.
The 5 Essential Horse Grooming Tools Every Rider Should Own
Many riders carry grooming bags packed with ten or more items… yet reach for the same three or four brushes every time. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Whether...
The Sponge Brush by Haas - Why you will love it!
Washing your horse is a key step in any thorough grooming routine. When sweat and grime build up, out come the hose and horse shampoo—for good reason. Shampooing every few...
The Curry Comb – The Unsung Hero of a Shiny Coat
Grooming your horse to a radiant shine is easier than most owners think. Many grooming totes are stuffed with a dizzying array of brushes—yet the most essential tool is often...
The Pros and Cons of Breakaway Halters
I usually like to recount happy events and leave disappointments - after learning from them - in the past. In this case, I'd like to share an upsetting experience with...
How to Chose a Bit that Works for Your Horse
5 Questions that help make the right choice. Bitting is a complicated topic, but I hope to make it a little easier for you to ask yourself the right questions....
3 Ways to a Stronger Bond
How to Bond with Your Horse 3 Do's and Dont's for a Better Relationship After many successful rehab experiences with horses that had 'people problems', and 7 years of working...
Good Brushes: More Everything for Your Buck
Why you should use the best grooming brushes you can find ...and where to find them. What not to use: These brushes are scratchy and dull the coat! If you...
5 Ways to Practice Gratitude
...In the Barn & Beyond Gratitude. It's been quite a few years that this powerful concept - thousands of years in the making - has moved into the spotlight of...
How To Groom A Horse Without Static
Is your horse's coat static when you brush it? Are you looking for just the right product or technique to stop the static? Do you wonder how to groom a...