Mad Barn is proud to present the next segment of our series, “The People Behind the Horses,” where we spotlight the individuals shaping the future of equine wellness and performance.

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Veenstra, a certified independent saddle fitter with over 15 years of experience working alongside veterinarians, trainers, and horse owners across Ontario. Laura shares her journey into saddle fitting, what it truly means to be independent in a field with varying standards, and why proper saddle fit is critical for both horse welfare and rider effectiveness.

🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:
🔹 Laura’s background in the horse industry and how it led her to saddle fitting
🔹 What “independent saddle fitter” really means and why it matters
🔹 How saddle fit directly affects biomechanics, comfort, and long-term soundness
🔹 Common saddle fit issues she sees in the field and how they impact horses
🔹 Why collaboration between fitters, veterinarians, and nutritionists is essential

Whether you’re a competitive rider, trainer, or dedicated horse owner, this episode offers invaluable insight into how saddle fit plays a foundational role in keeping horses comfortable, willing, and performing at their best.

⏱ Podcast Timeline
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
01:05 – Laura’s Background in the Horse Industry to Discovering Saddle Fitting
03:37 – What It Means to Be an Independent Saddle Fitter
07:22 – The Common Concerns and Practices of Saddle Fitting
11:14 – Signs Your Saddle Needs to be Adjusted and Industry Standards14:14 – Myths in the Saddle Fitting Industry
17:12 – Western Saddle Fitting Vs English Saddle Fitting
22:06 – Riding Young Horses and It’s Impact on their Biomechanics
23:40 – The Process of Saddle Fitting for Horses with Kissing Spines
27:36 – The Future of Saddle Fitting

📚 Related Resources:
👉 https://madbarn.com/english-saddles-for-horses/
👉 https://madbarn.com/western-saddles-for-horses/
👉 https://madbarn.com/kissing-spine-in-horses/

Want to evaluate your horse’s diet? Follow this link to get connected with an equine nutritionist or explore our horse nutrition calculator: madbarn.com/analyze-diet

Mad Barn is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers, and practitioners through research, training, and education. Visit us to learn more at madbarn.com.
You can also find Mad Barn at:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok — @madbarnequine