b'DIY 3D Model for Fitting Saddles to Your FjordByCherrieNolden,EducationCommitteeChair,VP, Secretary, FjHI liaisonOne of the most frequently asked questions Ive seen in the Fjord forums is, what saddles fit Fjords? The answers tend to be numerous and varied, which is to be expected given the huge variation in the shape of backs in our Fjord population. Since I have 49 Fjords, and have produced more than 150 Fjords over the last 3 decades, Ive seen this back shape variation first-hand. There isnt one saddle that will fit them all, or even a majority of them. So, how to find a saddle that fits your particular Fjord, becomes the pertinent question.I recently attended a saddle fitting clinic by David Genadek, from About The Horse, Inc. He showed a method for creating aninexpensive3Dmodelofyourparticularhorsesback shape, which can be used to assess whether any saddle will fit your horse. I will show you how to make this 3D model of your Fjord for saddle shopping in this article.How to make a 3D model of your Fjord:1. Take all the supplies out to a place where you can tie your horse and the ground is level.2. Place the cardboard on the ground, the paper on top. Choose an edge and measure 7 up from that edge in 2 spots, making a mark, and use the yardstick to draw a line between the 2 marks.3. Draw another line 14.5 above and parallel to the 7 line. I used clothes pins to hold the paper in place because my farmishighandwindy,sothesupplieswouldotherwise blow away.Supplies:3 x 3 piece of cardboard3 x 3 piece of plotter printer paper24 blue flexible tailors curve3 yardstickSquare or an L-shaped yardstickLevelBox cutterNarrow painters tape (1/4)Sharpie marker or penNeedle point pattern tracer18 Fjord Herald Issue #149Winter 2023'