SADDLES I SUPPLY

I only supply adjustable saddles as horses are constantly changing shape through increased/decreased workload and by losing/gaining weight in the Summer and Winter.

BUDGET SADDLES (second hand):  I have a limited selection of secondhand Thorowgood adjustable wool flocked saddles in excellent condition. These are sold as seen without guarantee but have been checked by myself for soundness (impossible to check tree completely without opening saddles up but no squeaks/movement/asymmetry). Trees appear sound and webbing, stitching, girth straps etc secure.
All either 17”, 17 1/2” or 18” saddles. Black or brown. Dressage and GP. From £300. (Additional £30 if different gullet bar required)

AIRBAG RANGE BELOW:
They are now fitted with HART – airbags which smoothly fit into your horse’s shape and allow movement of the shoulder under the saddle. For the perfect fit, I am able to supply risers made especially for the range. Please note: airbags will not need to be replaced as frequently as flocking and have an excellent record of resilience. In rare cases when the bag has been punctured, the airbags are easily replaced by me. Many horses prefer the feel of airbags as the air distributes evenly through the bags, unlike wool flocking which can move and become lumpy. All risers cost £8 each in addition to price of saddle. A saddle may require different widths of risers as the horse changes shape.

SADDLERY BRANDS INTERNATIONAL SADDLES:

WINTEC SADDLE RANGE: I offer the complete range of Wintec 250, 500 and 2000. These are approximately just under £700-800 depending on style/size/shims required.
Wintec are considerably different nowadays compared to the banana shaped cheap saddles of the past. . These easy-care synthetic saddles are significantly smarter than those of old. Anyone wanting a life not spent cleaning leather saddles but still looking good may like to consider these saddles. Having been a Wintec sceptic in the past, I was pleasantly surprised test riding these saddles.

ARENA SADDLE RANGE:  Beauty combined with practicality. This extremely popular range of saddles combines gorgeous European uppers with a practical wipe-clean underneath. Looking smart combined with your horse moving easily under the HART airbags.

BATES SADDLE RANGE: The most luxurious range for ultimate rider comfort and good looks. HART airbags but a selection of different quality leathers. All Bates saddles are made of the finest European leather but select double lined Opulence for ultra-soft and grippy feel. Your legs really do feel hugged by this saddle, aiding stability and security. Some of the Bates saddles have the ergonomic adjustable stirrup bar enabling the rider to move the stirrup leathers to suit their own personal leg position.
All saddles come in regular sizes (including children and ponies). There is a full range of saddles for all disciplines of riding, even the more unusual eg stock saddles, Icelandic, Iberian etc.

As a fitter for the company i am able to request almost the full range of saddles  to enable you a test ride. This will be delivered to me the next day ready for our appointment.  This can be purchased or I will return it to the company free of charge. I do have a limited stock - one from each brand - which allows me to see if it fits and you to see if you like them.  The correct style, which discipline, length of saddle, type of leather required etc, once ascertained, is delivered to me the next day ready for delivery to yourself.

SADDLES DIRECT

For those horses for whom the above saddles are not a good fit, I am a Saddle Fitter for Saddles Direct. We can discuss and view secondhand saddles on their website and I can advise which may fit. Your telephone number will be given to Saddles Direct and they will contact you for payment. Please be aware it is impossible to know which saddles fit properly as a fitter will need to try the saddle on the horse.  Therefore you may need to pay the £25 postage fees to return the saddle and try another. Whilst this sounds like lost money, large savings can be made buying more expensive saddles this way.

 

AREAS COVERED: I’m based in Overton, Hampshire RG25 and there is no charge for travel within 35mins. I also regularly travel to Ledbury, Herefordshire so could travel 35mins off the route. Weekends provide the opportunity to travel longer distances (max 1hr). For other locations further afield please contact me to discuss options & availability.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSULTATION
Unlike many saddle fitters, I use holistic methods to fit your saddle. Using biomechanics of both human and horse, I ascertain how much and where rider and horse affect fit.
Riders will wear asymmetry jackets and are given the opportunity to discuss any physical issues that may be affecting their comfort and riding. Horse’s movement/posture and veterinary history are discussed to aid the saddle fit and rider’s future riding position. Before riders are aboard, I would like to see the horse trotted up and ideally lunged with and without saddle so we can discuss anything we may find.
Riders will also have their Seatbone imprints taken whilst sitting on a stand. This is a vital component of fit – using up-to-date research on the importance of pelvic shape. Saddle trees are over 100years old in design and were made for a male pelvis. No wonder so many females suffer in silence regarding uncomfortable nether regions! (And some men too – pelvis shapes are not just split into male and female but variations on 4 different shapes).
Having now done imprints myself I understand why I have needed 2 new hips. I hope to help prevent this happening to other riders.
For the riders/horses whom we discover have unusual pelvis shapes/movement, I will be able to give further recommendations as where to source saddles.
Horses will also be assessed using bodywork techniques to discover any stiff/soreness issues. I ask for Veterinary approval if horses are under Veterinary care. A saddle can slip to one side as normal rib rotation/flexion is hindered by stiff ribs so I will demonstrate eg how loosening the ribs can help the slip issues.
As a riding instructor I will be able to help you sit more asymmetrically and ride your horse in better balance. Rather than the standard instructions to push him on with strong rein contact (hence the recent dressage world scandals) I will help you lift the thoracic sling and ride the horse you have. I can suggest training methods that will help with asymmetry or any other issues you may be having.

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