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Building Skills. Sharing Knowledge. Looking Ahead. July has been another exciting month at the IASF, with the launch of an entirely new education programme and another milestone reached for our Professional Saddle Fitting Award. As much of Europe continues to experience prolonged hot, dry weather, we've also seen an increase in questions surrounding sweat patterns and saddle fit. This month, we're separating fact from fiction and exploring why sweat marks are just one piece o

Walk into almost any tack room and you'll hear someone say, "The sweat marks look even, so the saddle fits." Equally, a dry patch is often immediately blamed on a pressure point. The reality is far more interesting. Sweat patterns can provide valuable information, but they cannot tell you whether a saddle fits. They are simply one piece of a much larger puzzle. Used in isolation, they are one of the most commonly misunderstood indicators of saddle fit. Let's look at what scie

Education Built Around Equine Welfare June has certainly been one to remember. As much of the UK experienced an unprecedented heatwave, we welcomed another fantastic cohort of students to the practical phase of the IASF Professional Saddle Fitting Award. While the soaring temperatures presented some unique challenges, they also reinforced one of our core values: equine and human welfare will always come first. 🎓 PROFESSIONAL SADDLE FITTING AWARD – PRACTICAL TRAINING COMPLETE

Awareness. Understanding. Progress. As we move further into the busy spring and summer season, May has been all about looking deeper—not just at saddle fit itself but at the wider impact it has on horse and rider wellbeing, confidence and performance. This month, we’re focusing on the connection between saddle fit, rider position and psychology, while also looking ahead to one of our most anticipated educational events of the year. 🧠 FEATURE ARTICLE – The Psychological Effec

Understanding the Mental and Physical Response to Correct Rider Position For many saddle fitters, rider position is often approached from a biomechanical perspective: pelvis alignment, leg position, balance, symmetry and pressure distribution. Yet one of the most overlooked aspects of saddle fitting is the rider’s psychological response to positional change. A rider who has spent years in a chair seat or defensive posture may not immediately feel comfortable when placed into

Transition. Awareness. Opportunity. April is a month of change—and in the equine world, change brings both opportunity and responsibility. As horses move into increased work, richer grazing and shifting routines, saddle fit becomes more dynamic than ever. This is the time to stay observant, proactive and informed. 🌱 EXPERT TIP – Spring Shape Changes & Saddle Fit Spring brings significant changes for many horses—and these changes don’t always go in the same direction. With im

Progress. Collaboration. Real-World Learning. March has been a landmark month for the IASF community—bringing learning to life through in-person collaboration, expanding our CPD offering and continuing to support both horse owners and professionals through seasonal change. 🐴 A MILESTONE MOMENT – OUR FIRST IN-PERSON CPD DAY This month, we were proud to host our first in-person CPD day and what a success it was. Bringing together student and qualified saddle fitters from a va

Learning. Welfare. Professional Confidence. February has been a powerful reminder of why education, collaboration and professional standards matter so much in saddle fitting. From welcoming new students into advanced training, to navigating the realities of winter horse management, this month has been all about adapting, learning and supporting horses responsibly. 🎓 WELCOME TO OUR LATEST STAGE 3 COHORT Earlier this month, we were delighted to welcome another outstanding coh

Don't miss our upcoming events! Here is what's to come: Friday 23rd January 2026 - Private Business Mentoring (1:1) Monday 26th January 2026 - Private Saddle Fitting Mentoring (1:1) Wednesday 28th January 2026 - Group Business Advice Workshop for Saddle Fitters Monday 2nd February 2026 - Private Saddle Fitting Mentoring (1:1) Wednesday 4th February 2026 - Small Group Business Support Friday 6th February 2026 - Private Business Mentoring (1:1) Monday 9th February 2026 - Privat

A new year brings fresh focus, renewed motivation and new possibilities. As we step into 2026, January is the perfect time to reflect on where you are—and where you’d like your equestrian journey or professional career to go next. Whether you’re a horse owner considering formal education, a student building confidence or a practising saddle fitter looking to advance your skills, the IASF is here to support you from curiosity to capability and from learning to leadership . ⭐HO

As we wrap up another transformative year in the world of equine welfare and professional collaboration, the IASF team is excited to bring you the final newsletter of 2025. Our mission remains at the heart of everything we do: guiding you From Confusion to Confidence in saddlery fit, biomechanics, equine health and multidisciplinary teamwork. Whether you're a saddlery fitter navigating complex cases, an equine professional expanding your diagnostic toolkit or a dedicated hor

Still keeping paper notes? We are joined by the Equigate team to discover how their revolutionary saddle fitting tool can streamline your business. From seamless scheduling to better collaboration, the Equigate app is built to support saddle fitters in delivering exceptional service while saving time and effort. Watch the full webinar HERE

Mark your calendars! As a valued IASF Member you are personally invited to attend our inaugural, landmark Annual Conference. This is your opportunity to be at the forefront of a movement defining the future of our industry. Your Invitation to Shape the Future: Wednesday, July 8, 2026 We are thrilled to announce that the very first IASF Annual Conference will take place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at the beautiful Nailcote Hall in Coventry. While the full agenda is still u

Join a Global Community Dedicated to Excellence in Equine Saddlery Fitting The International Academy of Saddle Fitters (IASF) is proud to...