Dawn & Contessa

We are so lucky here at SAFE to have many outstanding individuals in the local equine community who support the work we do. One of the kindest, most generous of those is Dawn Anderson, of Anderson Equine Saddle Fitting Services. We first met Dawn when she contacted us to offer her services not only to check the fit of the saddles that we were using for the SAFE horses in training, but also to conduct a saddle fitting clinic for us as a fundraising opportunity. Talking to Dawn that first day, I was so impressed by what she had to say about the relationship between good saddle fit and happy, sound horses. Her words struck a chord with me because here at SAFE we encounter some very misunderstood horses who have been called unrideable…and ultimately useless…by the people who should have been caring for them. It made me wonder how many of our horses lost their homes after being asked to perform in pain due to ill fitting saddles. What Dawn taught us that day, and at the first SAFE saddle fitting clinic that followed, was that saddle fit can effect every aspect of a horse’s life and soundness and behavior. It was a very eye opening lesson for many of us.

Over the years, Dawn has always been there for SAFE. She’s donated several saddles to our riding program, and she’s paid us many a visit to check and adjust the fit of all the saddles we use as we get new horses into the program. She’s donated saddle fitting certificates to all of our fundraising events, and Anderson Equine was a major sponsor at last year’s horse show. For this year’s Heart of the Horse, Dawn is not only donating a saddle fitting — she’s also donating a Ride Along experience for one lucky person to accompany her on a day of saddle fitting where they will learn volumes about horse health and happiness…possibly even the start to a brand new career.

Dawn was out at SAFE Harbor Stables last week to work with a number of our horses, and while she was there, she donated a brand new Thorowgood General Purpose saddle valued at $995. This saddle will be used for our short backed, hard to fit horses like Sinatra, Kat, and Maggie. This is typical of Dawn…she wants our horses to be comfortable and sound, and she makes great personal sacrifices to make that happen. We are so lucky to have someone like Dawn on our team.

If you are an English rider who cares deeply for the well being of your horse, you need to contact Dawn Anderson and have her take a look at your saddle. She approaches saddle fit from the well being of the horse first and foremost, and she will work hard to make sure that your horse is happy and comfortable. Horses with soundness problems and lameness issues have been cured through proper saddle fit. Let Dawn make your equine partner shine.

Anderson Equine Saddle Fitting Services website

Anderson Equine blog