The Importance of Western Dressage Saddle Fit: Renee Johnson’s Journey with TW Saddlery
“My name is Renee Johnson and I wanted to share our wonderful experience with TW Saddlery. I have had my own business training horses for the last 20 years. In the last 10 years I have been competing in Dressage and Western Dressage. It was not until the last few years I began to understand how important a good saddle fit is. A few years back I observed fittings on adjustable dressage saddles. During the fitting, I listened and watched what they were doing to adjust it and learned how the horses back is constantly changing when competing in the dressage levels.
The experience made me think of the western saddles we use and as I started to check them I realized many of the saddles did not fit properly. We tried our best to buy saddles that worked but started running into sore backs. None of the saddles we could find were a good fit. I understand dressage is a hard sport that requires the horse to really use their back when they collect and bend so it’s important that the saddle gives the horse’s back the ability to complete the movements without restrictions and pressure points.
Snazzy, a very talented paint horse, had the most trouble with saddle fit. I have been working with Snazzy since he was 3 and he is now 13. He competed at the WDAA World Show in Oklahoma in
2019 and won a World Championship. He also has been CAWDA High Point Champion in multiple levels for many years in a row. We are now competing in Western Dressage in levels 3 and 4. Over the years we have gone through at least 4 different saddles with him and tried on many more. Each time running into a sore back. This last time his back started to atrophy.
I thought what we were using was working and we really tried hard to buy saddles and padding that fit him but he’s a unique fit. He is short in the back, big in the shoulders, and big in his hind end but he’s also not big in the barrel. Everything sat behind his shoulder too tight and a lot of the western saddles give very little spine clearance.
Our performance was declining and we had to give him a break from showing last year. It was more than just making him sore, it was making his top line look thin. We even went to the vet where they X-rayed and took a ultrasound of his back to make sure nothing else was going on. He told us it is atrophy from the saddle. He could not find anything else wrong. We caught it early enough that no permanent damage was done but I felt terrible about it. We ended up giving him a whole year off from the show ring.
I could ride him with a thick bare back pad in the ring and work on a few exercises but we were limited to what we could do. You can’t compete without a saddle unfortunately. So we were on the hunt for one. I kept saying I can’t believe the technology in western saddles is so far behind the dressage saddles. Many of the traditional dressage saddles have adjustable gullet plates and can add flocking or air to custom fit each horse. I thought they need to make a western saddle that you can adjust the same way. I had yet to ever hear of one at this point but we were determined to find something that would work.
We were eventually connected with Heidi Helly and TW Saddles and that’s when everything changed. She was coming to a client’s property for a saddle fitting
and I was invited to watch. After watching the saddle fitting I thought this is it, this is what we have been looking for. While the tree is not adjustable you can make adjustments with shims and the tree is designed so beautifully that it gives the horse’s back and spine nice clearance. It sits a little like a traditional dressage saddle on their back. It is light weight but still very attractive.
I love that you can customize it! We immediately set up an appointment with Heidi and ordered our saddle. We have now had our TW Saddle since November of 2021. It has been a process getting Snazzy back in shape for level 3 and 4 but he’s back now and better then ever. He’s so comfortable and his back has healed and filled back in.
I have before and after pictures that shocked me. I could not believe the difference in the two picture after only having our TW Saddle for a few months. I show the pictures to everyone I know in the horse world so people can realize how important it is to have a saddle that fits. I really promote TW Saddles and have since gotten multiple clients to buy them as well.
I even just ordered one myself for my new horse. We are headed to Oklahoma again this year for WDAA World Championship with two horses that both have their own TW Saddles and we are very excited! I strongly stand behind TW Saddles and plan to keep sharing our story.
Thank you Heidi and TW Saddles for your help and getting us back in the show ring!”
Why Saddle Fit Matters in Western Dressage
At TW Saddlery and Specialized Saddles, we believe that the foundation of every successful partnership between horse and rider begins with proper saddle fit. Renee Johnson’s story with her talented Paint horse, Snazzy, is a powerful reminder of just how transformative the right saddle can be.
For horses competing in Dressage and Western Dressage, the demands on their backs are constant. Collection, bending, and lateral work require freedom of movement through the shoulders and spine. Without correct balance and clearance, horses struggle to use their bodies correctly, leading to soreness, atrophy, and long-term performance issues. This is why Western Dressage saddle fit is not just important—it’s essential.
Renee’s experience is one that many riders share. Despite years of training expertise and careful attention to conditioning, saddle fit became the limiting factor for Snazzy. After struggling with multiple saddles, Snazzy’s back began to show signs of atrophy, which even veterinary exams confirmed. Like many riders, Renee had invested in pads and equipment in an attempt to make saddles work, but nothing provided the relief or freedom Snazzy needed.
The Difference of Western Dressage Saddle Fit
When Renee discovered TW Saddlery through fitter Heidi Helly, she realized that Western saddles didn’t have to compromise comfort and adjustability. Unlike traditional saddles that often sit too tightly behind the shoulder and provide little to no spine clearance, TW Saddles are designed to support the horse’s natural movement.
This is where the importance of Western Dressage saddle fit truly shines. TW Saddlery saddles provide clearance, distribute weight evenly, and can be fine-tuned with shims to adapt to each horse’s unique shape. This design approach mirrors what has long been available in English dressage saddles, but until now, was missing from western designs.
Snazzy’s transformation in just a few months of riding in a TW Saddle was undeniable. His topline filled in, his back healed, and his performance returned stronger than ever. This success story demonstrates why Western Dressage saddle fit is the key to unlocking a horse’s potential in training and competition.
Why Western Dressage Saddle Fit Is Unique
Western Dressage blends the refinement of classical dressage with the tradition and balance of western riding. That means the saddle must do more than just sit comfortably—it must allow the horse to perform collected gaits, lateral work, and transitions while also carrying the rider securely in a western seat.
This makes Western Dressage saddle fit a specialized need. Horses like Snazzy, with short backs, powerful shoulders, and developed hindquarters, often fall outside the dimensions of “standard” western saddles. Too often, riders try multiple saddles without success, not realizing the saddle itself is the problem. At TW Saddlery, we’ve built saddles with the horse’s biomechanics in mind, offering clearance, balance, and flexibility so each horse can move without restriction.
A Lesson for Riders Everywhere
Renee’s story is not an isolated case—it’s an example of what countless riders experience. Horses that hollow out, resist movements, or develop sore backs are often trying to communicate that
their saddle doesn’t fit. When Western Dressage saddle fit is corrected, the change is dramatic. Horses begin to lift through their topline, use their hindquarters more effectively, and maintain muscle instead of losing it.
At TW Saddlery, we encourage every rider to think critically about their saddle. Proper fit is not just about rider comfort or a visually nice seat—it’s about supporting the horse’s health and ensuring long-term performance. Whether competing at introductory levels or preparing for championships, every Western Dressage rider benefits from prioritizing saddle fit.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Today, Renee and Snazzy are back in the show ring, competing in Western Dressage levels 3 and 4, stronger and more confident than ever. Renee has also chosen TW Saddles for her new horse, knowing that proper Western Dressage saddle fit will support them both in reaching their goals.
Her success is a testament to what is possible when riders make saddle fit a priority. At TW Saddlery and Specialized Saddles, we remain committed to providing solutions that blend adjustability, lightweight construction, and beauty—because no horse should be held back by equipment that doesn’t fit.
As Renee’s story proves, the right Western Dressage saddle fit can mean the difference between atrophy and strength, between frustration and confidence, between sitting on the sidelines and competing at the top.
For riders searching for the same breakthrough, TW Saddlery is here to help. With innovative designs, customizable options, and a dedication to both horse and rider, we continue to set the standard for Western Dressage saddle fit.