I am a 100% independent fitter who does not rep saddles, and I make no commission off of what I may recommend for you and your horse that could affect my recommendations from exactly what you need.

As a result of this, I carry limited consignment saddles and do not represent a brand. This means I work with any brand and type of saddle, and I am not limited to a particular brand or bias.

My favorite saddle? The one that fits you and your horse. Not by brand or style, but by fit.

If you decide to purchase a new saddle, I can refer you to several reputable saddle representatives that do order and sell new custom saddles, depending on the type of saddle you and your horse need. Otherwise, I am happy to assist you in finding a new or used saddle, if you require a different saddle.

My "saddle sourcing" includes utilizing my recommendations for you and your horse (usually after an initial fitting and measurements session) and sourcing saddles based on type, fit, and budget from local tack shops to online venues that I routinely and reliably utilize (Please note, my full transparency in this: absolutely no commission comes to me from these sources).

I will send you a list of saddles and sources for you to order saddles in from, or pick up/contact for trial. If I have a saddle on consignment that may work for you and your horse, I will include it in our recommendations to trial.


My fee for "Saddle Sourcing" is $40/hour, and includes in person and virtual searches, emails and/or contact calls to sellers.

There is a $40 minimum for searching, contacting you, and reviewing saddles for you apart from our fitting. Any time over our initial hour is an additional $40/hour.

This includes reviewing saddles you find either online or in person and want to trial.

Any additional shipping charges for mailing tracings (if scanning and emails are not available), call charges, trial fees, or shipping fees are not included and would be discussed and the responsibility of my client to cover.

Please note, with the limitations on shipping from overseas, there is a lean market for particular saddles at the moment and there may be times where I do not find enough saddles (or any) that would be something I feel comfortable recommending to you. My fee for my time still applies, and when I do find something for you, I will send it to you.
I value your time and your budget, and I will do my best to help you find the saddle(s) you and your horse(s) need!

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions; I am here to help!

I am offering a limited basis of virtual saddle fittings as of March 2022.
This virtual fitting is aimed for new clients searching for a saddle, or current clients trialing saddles for fit.
There is always a distinction between a virtual fitting using photos/videos and in person, hands-on fitting. This option is a great tool for those "in between fittings" sessions where you are trialing a few saddles, or looking to rule out saddles prior to your in person fitting.

Sessions virtually are scheduled in advance, and I will be available to you, via text, video (facetime), and phone call for an allotted amount of time, at $85/hour, with an $85 minimum (if the session takes 20 minutes, the full fee for the hour still applies; likewise, an time after our initial hour is an additional $85).

I will require several photos of your horse prior to our appointment, and a list of the saddles you are looking to trial.

Photos should be done on a level surface, with a groomed horse standing squarely, from the front, back, and both sides, and well as from above looking down at the back and shoulders.

In this way, we will work with you one on one, long distance, to assist you with assessing the fit of your saddle(s). Through this online process, you will find out exactly what you and your horse need, and have a written evaluation after our fitting with my recommendations and notes. 

Our #1 goal is to work with you to improve the comfort, fit and performance of your saddle for both you and your horse. 

Virtual Fittings Disclaimer:
Please note, recommendations and notes taken on a virtual fitting are limited in scope due to the long distance nature of the fitting session. Hands-on fitting is the best way to utilize a saddle fitting, and we offer this virtual alternative at the time as a supplement, but not a replacement, for hands-on fittings. Due to the limited scope of a virtual fitting, Upstate Equine LLC and Emily Shealy are not responsible for things not seen or felt during a virtual fitting that may impact the fit of the saddle, and we recommend a follow up in person fitting to any and all virtual fittings to confirm our virtual notes/recommendations. By agreeing to a virtual fitting, you are agreeing that you have read the above disclaimer as well.

With the increasing number of exposures, please if you know you were around someone who was then symptomatic and/or tested positive within 48hrs of your exposure to them, please cancel your session and we will reschedule.
This is especially important for vaccinated persons who will not have as severe of symptoms and may not realize they are sick.
Myself, my family, and our other clients appreciate your care!

Rescheduling (no fee) is an easy option. I also am available for *virtual saddle fittings* if this falls on a time when saddles are under a timed trial.

Let's stay safe!

I also prefer that you and your barn wear masks and hand wash/sanitize before and during our session. Please be aware I will be wearing a mask during our visit and routinely sanitize between appointments.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.

Please be aware, as of March 2022, due to the recent sharp increase in gas and diesel costs, our travel fees will have to raise in order for Upstate Equine, LLC to continue to cover our travel costs.
Please let me know if you have any questions. As always, travel costs are per session, and can be adjusted for multiple sessions at one facility.

My goal for this page is to provide links and columns written on recent updates regarding travel, fees, and other relevant referrals you may need.