Victoria Hilton Saddle Fitting

21/04/2025

1st set of Assignment done and graded ✅️
Now onto the 1st lot of case studies for my Equine Manual Therapist Practitioner qualification.
Luckly we have 6 horses so I have plenty to work with to get me started 😊

19/04/2025

Happy Easter!!! Enjoy the long weekend with your ponios 💗

18/04/2025

After a 10pm finish last night and a Mc Donald's for tea, I'm back out on the road with an equally unhealthy breakfast this morning, shocking behaviour 😂😂

18/04/2025

Hi 👋 ive been working until late for the last few days due to the bank holiday weekend but I will try and reply to all messages by the end of the day 🤞xx

13/04/2025

Help me help you!

Messages come in through so many places these days – and as much as I try to keep on top of various platforms it's making my head spin (especially while I’m driving yard to yard!).

To make things smoother, I’m now using WhatsApp Business for all saddle fitting bookings and messages.
So if you need me – that’s the best place to reach me!

Send me a WhatsApp on: 07935447831
I’ll get back to you between fittings or as soon as I can during opening times. Late night, evening and weekend messages will be responded to at the earliest convenience, I have to implement some work / life balance. Thanks for bearing with me while I get a bit more organised on one platform!

23/03/2025

This is why I always look at the horse as a whole when saddle fitting ( and ask lots of questions that aren't saddle related ). The horses back and posture are like a map and can often reveal what a saddle fitting issue is, before the saddle even comes out of the tack room.

We often forget the horse has a hind end and that often the assymtry in the front is driven by the movement or pain pattern of the hind end, most horses have sacroiliac, sacrum, Lumbar, hock, stifle, gut issues and they all go in a merry go round of each one affecting the motion of the other, alot of horses have left fore issues as that is often the last leg that shows the after affects of a whole body issue, if we think whole horse we can help the whole horse nothing is just a one issue, tell me a horse that didn't have kissing spine that also didn't have gut and probably hock issues, tell me a horse that doesn't have metabolic issues that doesn't have a hamstring/Tmj issue, tell me a horse that doesn't have SI issues that will not stand square behind affecting the muscle structure that supports it
I often think we focus on the front because its simply what we view when working or riding the horse
I can tell by simply watching those hat cam views of the head and neck position when the person is riding how that whole horse is moving
High/low heel i have never come across it as just a foot or forelimb issue there is always something lurking somewhere else in the body

We cannot seperare front/hind/middle of the horse for it all functions as one unit
What prompted this was a reel showing only the arrows pointing to the scapulas yet clearly the pelvis was skewy and the back was like a drunk walking the sobriety test line☺️

Lets think whole horse
The picture below is a work in progress and we began by addressing the gut, and horses that have gut issues will always be a work in progress we are never going to "fix" but we can help the body be better if we think whole horse

04/03/2025

A very long day yesterday with a trip down South to learn more from the maestro at Bates. Amazing the amount of technology, science and love that goes into these saddles 💜

26/02/2025

Exciting News!
🐎 Back to School - For the Horses 🐎
As a passionate saddle fitter, my goal has
always been to help horses feel and perform
their best. That's why I'm thrilled to share the news that I'm expanding my expertise, by deepening my knowledge, and studying to become an Equine Sports Massage and Remedial Therapy Practitioner! Im really looking forwards to developing a more comprehensive understanding of the connection between muscles, movement, rider & equine symmetry and the effect these have on the horse and saddle fit.
Stay tuned as I share this exciting journey with you!!!

24/02/2025

Another busy week ahead 😊 Please can I ask my regulars clients to remember to book your routine checks well in advance as the diary is extremely busy and I have been working until late most evenings to squeeze everyone in. The website has had some updates over the weekend ( thanks to the eldest son 🥰, always handy to have IT support readily available). The contact form on the website is still the quickest way to book an appointment or to ring me directly. Many thanks Victoria xx

Qualified Saddle Fitter based in Lancashire.

19/02/2025

🌟 Star of the Day 🌟 (as promised to Grayson)
The lovely Grayson and his wonderful owner Johanna at his routine saddle check yesterday. I first met this lovely duo last year when they were following a strict (continuing) physio rehab program and it was time for Grayson to be fitted with a new saddle. Yesterday's templates showed massive improvements in symmetry and the improvement in Graysons strength was obvious 💪. Last year he had been fitted with an Arena saddle and today it just needed a quick change of gullet bar and it was beautifully balanced again ready for their next adventure 💗

17/02/2025

17/02/2025

Meet Cherri and Hana, at their routine check last week Hana gave me permission to share their story 💗
I was first contacted by Hana last year as she was having a few problems with Cherri under saddle. Previous to our first appointment Hana had already took Cherri to the Equine Hospital and had everything investigated, followed by physio and from the findings it had been recommended to have her previous saddle checked before she returned to work.
On their 1st appointment Cherri was reluctant to go forwards, bucking and rearing (shes 17.1hh) Cherris previous saddle was no longer fitting and it was decided a change of saddle was in her best interest, after her next physio session she was fitted with a new Bates jump new saddle. The difference was immediate and just look at them now 🤩 I'm looking forwards to seeing this duo out and about competing again this year!!!

15/02/2025

Handles all the youngsters, racers etc but this one gets away with doing what ever he wants 😂😂😂

10/02/2025

Why not share the love and nominate someone from your horses team of dedicated professionals 💗 I know I've got a couple I will be nominating for their hardwork and dedication to keeping my horses fit and well 💪