'Conformation, Saddle and Tack Fitting Clinics'

Taught by Tim Barton

• College Instructor for 20 years in Equine and Comparative Anatomy
• Bachelor of Science and Education Degree
• Over 30 years of hands-on experience in Outfitting, Packing, Driving and Riding in the wilderness
• Farrier
• Owns and manages an exclusive Rocky Mountain Retreat www.outpostatwardenrock.com using horses and mules for transportation
• Available to clubs and groups; open to horses, mules and donkeys
• English or Western tack, it doesn't matter; harness fit can also be covered
• Specific clinics can be arranged on pack saddle fit and packing in the mountains
• Clinics can also be scheduled in with your visit to the Outpost at Warden Rock, the exclusive mountain retreat that Tim manages from May to October
• Private sessions can be arranged, contact for details.

The 2 day clinic includes an in-depth study of conformation and how it relates to specific uses of the equine and will reveal the ''mysteries'' of proper saddle and tack fit including all the "hows and whys". You will be given the tools to enable you to evaluate your own animals and tack and make your own adjustments to accommodate specific conformations. Tim is not in the business of selling tack, so there will be no sales pitch for products that claim to "solve all your tack fitting problems". Instead, where possible, he will help you to work with the tack you have, to attain the best fit for your animal. The use and adjustment of all other tack items such as back cinches, saddle pads, breast collars, crupers, britchens, halters and bridles will also be addressed, and myths demystified. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and any statements made by Tim are backed up with proof.

Participants bring their own equines and tack for personal assistance. Auditors are welcome. Depending on the host of the clinic, auditors can be allowed. The different animals and varying problems presented - whether genetic or man-made - make each clinic a unique educational experience. These clinics will teach you invaluable knowledge that will save you hours of frustration in your search for saddles and tack that will fit your animal. No more wandering into tack stores, hoping the clerk can tell you what saddle will fit your steed! You will know how to do that yourself, saving you time and money!

Another topic that is covered is proper positioning of your saddle. No other clinicians address this subject with the understanding and insight that Tim does. Most ''experts'' or ''professionals'' have little or no knowledge in this area! Learning the importance of proper saddle positioning will change the way you are presently saddling your horse, mule, or donkey, and will change your riding forever!! Animals who have had behavioral problems such as head tossing, crankiness, bucking while going downhill or in other situations, or were high headed and short strided show immediate changes in movement and attitude once their tack is fitted to their conformation AND positioned properly. A properly fitted, positioned, and levelled saddle will allow you to achieve optimum performance from your animal. Tim is one of only a few professionals who thoroughly understand and can teach these essential elements of Tack fitting.

Seeing is believing, you won't believe what you will learn!!

Testimonials from a recent Two day Conformation, Saddle and Tack Fitting Clinic with Tim Barton:

From Tack Fitting clinic, November, 2003: For some time now I have struggled with properly fitting tack on my two saddle mules. I have tried different saddles, experimented with various rigging methods and used cruppers, britching and breast collars in an attempt to keep the saddles off my mule's shoulders. My saddles sliding forward has been a particular problem because most of our riding is in steep mountainous country here in northwest Montana.

In late October of this year I learned that a Conformation, Saddle and Tack Fitting Clinic conducted by Tim Barton had been scheduled for Nov. 15 & 16 near Camrose, Alberta. Although the clinic location was some 500 miles from my home I decided I would make the trip. It was well worth the time and expense. I found Tim to be extremely knowledgeable and able to impart his knowledge in an understandable and effective manner. His many years of outfitting and college teaching experience were evident. I especially liked the way he emphasized and demonstrated his points using the horses, mules and tack present at the clinic. Using uncovered saddle trees, he was able to clearly demonstrate proper saddle fit and placement. By encouraging participants to select the proper saddle tree for the various animals he reinforced his points and ensured we would retain the information.

The information Tim provided regarding Conformation was also very helpful. Again, he clearly demonstrated his observations and encouraged his students to participate in hands-on evaluations of the animals backs. I now find myself looking at the conformation of horses and mules with a more critical eye.

Although it has only been a short time since I attended Tim's clinic I have already used the help Tim offered with my tack fitting problems. Specifically, I have moved my saddles back off my mules' shoulders, leveled the saddles and moved the string flank cinches back to catch the belly of the mules. The saddles now remain in the proper location and the mules seem to move much better.

I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone interested in improving the comfort and performance of their animals. Thanks Tim!
Bud Sheppard Columbia Falls, Montana

"A downhill, mutton withered, flat backed, round as a 45 gallon drum paint mare and a john mule came to the clinic in Okotoks with me. The mule has a flat, straight back and not much wither, but more shoulder. He had frizzed white patches of hair behind both shoulders. When being rode he would toss his head and act up when going down hills.

"The saddle I was using on both of them was too narrow and was jamming them in the shoulders. Now I position the saddle back from the point of the shoulder and use the back cinch as the main cinch by tightening it more than the front cinch.

"Oh yes, the saddle is a different one too. It has a wide tree and is shaped closer to the shape of their backs. It's a bonus that the same saddle works for either the mule or horse. I liked my first ill-fitting saddle because of how comfortable it was for me…all the while thinking it was ok for my partners too.

"Now when I ride the shoulders are obviously moving with more freedom. Padding up the front to level the saddle on the mare is [making an] improvement in my position on her. Keeping the saddle in the middle on such a round body is a balancing act.

"That being said…conformation is so important in a horse. If I expect to use her for quick turns, my saddle will want to go in the opposite direction…she is not the ''right machine'' for that type of job. Her structural conformation limits her usage.

"With the saddle adjustments I've now made, when the saddle comes off my partners, their hair is lying even and flat, no evidence of frizzing or jamming the shoulders.

"My confidence in keeping my partners in comfortable work wear is much more achievable now. Thanks Tim."
Sincerely, Joyce Van Camp; Host, Cayley, Alberta

''Excellent information! I learned way too much! [Just kidding] Thankyou for sharing your time and your experience with us all. Our horses will be forever grateful.''
Shannon McClinchey, Millarville, Alberta

''Excellent seminar, common sense information''.
Rita Rheaume, Okotoks, AB.

"In August I was approached by a client of mine, asking if I would consider going to a Conformation, Saddle & Tack Fitting Clinic. After giving it some thought I said ''why not.'' The dates were set and in October, off to Okotoks I went to attend the clinic.

"Now I should tell you a little about myself. I'm a Farrier by trade and also train horses; this is how I make my living. I grew up on the back of a horse. My brother and I have done just about everything two guys could. We have rode broncs, guided, led trail rides, rode colts, broke mules and drove horses a hundred miles.

"I had been throwing my saddle on my horses for 30 plus years, 'what could I learn about saddling and tack fitting? Nothing' or so I thought. I had always had my saddles custom made. They fitted me. I was comfortable so my horse had to be. The saddle was always placed far ahead over the withers and obviously jamming the shoulders. I had some horses over the years develop white patches of hair behind their shoulders, thus figuring it was the horse's fault the way he was built and moved, not my tack. WRONG.

"After the first day of the clinic when I returned home, my wife asked 'well, did you learn anything today?' I replied 'yes, just how little I really do know.'Now I have moved my saddle back, padded up the front and tightened my back cinch. Also, I have put a string cinch on the back of my saddle. Now when my horse sweats, the back cinch can breathe. When I unsaddle now there are no more frizzed hairs behind the shoulders.

"After I fitted my saddle properly on my rope horse, he was a totally different horse. He moves 100 times freerer and he has taken me to the pay window 2 out of the 3 times we have competed.

"As for the conformation aspect I always looked at the horse from the knee down, now I look from the shoulders down and at the horse as a whole. This has helped me understand some of the problem horses that my clients have and makes it easier for me to help them.

"Tim, this clinic was a tremendous asset to me and I will continue to use my knowledge every day. We are really looking forward to your video in the spring."
Sincerely, Tom Gamble, High River, Alberta. Farrier, Trainer, Clinician

'' No one ever told me the saddle has to be sitting level especially on these Quarter horses that tend to have downhill backs. One of the most important things I learned was fitting the saddle and where to put it. I've rode for 30 some years and never thought about any of this. This clinic was fabulous and only makes sense.''
Floyd Mitchell, Caley, Alberta

'' We both got a lot of good information from the Tack Clinic last weekend. I especially found the time spent on feeling and looking at all the different backs and having practice trying to figure out which tree and which saddle best fit, most valuable. Thanks again for a great clinic! ''
Darlene Clark, Sundre, Alberta & Fran McCurdy, Calgary, Alberta

''I am so glad I didn’t miss the Tim Barton Conformation and Saddle Fitting Clinic this past weekend. We learned how to look at a horse or mule’s back for proportion and symmetry and then how to look at a saddletree and saddle. Slope, twist and belly became common words in our vocabulary.

"We learned that 90 % of horses and mules’ back(s) run downhill and how to correct it. We learned how to watch a horse [mule] move, look at its conformation and figure out where it is hurting or being aggravated, the difference between cold backed and cinchy. We learned how a saddle can wash, scrub, bridge and apply pressure and friction. We learned technical terms such as lordosis, myofacial syndrome and the lymphatic system. And in the end we all learned how difficult it is to get a saddle to fit perfectly cuz even though you may know that you have a full or semi quarter horse bars, that doesn’t tell you anything about the twist, belly and slope of the bars. Different ways of padding and cinching were discussed for riding saddles and packing saddles.

"Then there were all the stories, experiences and adventures everyone had to share, especially Tim. It was money well spent."
Rose Schroeder, Yarrow, British Columbia

The video on tack fitting with Tim Barton is finally finished and in production! Some of you have been waiting for a long time, so I’m happy to finally announce that the video is completed and copies are now available. Click Here for more details.

Have you read our article on tack fitting yet (which comes with another glowing testimonial!)? If not, feel free to check it out here.

For more information on booking a clinic, contact Marlene by:

• e-mail: info@mammothmules.com
• phone: (403) 783 5210

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