Broken Gullet
Breaking saddles....
This term makes me sad. So let me understand this. The first experience your horse is going to have of being saddled is inconsistent pressure and that's if they're lucky. Most "breaking saddles" I am shown are so old that the gullet channel is almost closed behind, the panels no longer have much fill or are super lumpy. The tree is curved completely differently to the back shape. And more often than not they are too narrow causing pressure points behind the scapula. Most of us know not to go too wide and have it sitting on the wither but even that happens sometimes.
Get a good fitter! A good fitter will fit you into something comfortable that gives your horse a positive saddle association. Then as they change they will let you trade it back in as the horse develops. Think of it as buying the perfect, final saddle in installments.
Our horses only have one back. They're spinal processes do not finish developing until they are 6-10 depending on the breed. Please turn that old "breaking saddle" into a stool, ornament or hand bag.
Your horse deserves better and you deserve less vet bills and negative behaviours in the future.
A little video of what can be happening inside that old, unchecked saddle. #horsewelfare #saddlefitting
Well do we think it's structurally sound??
Getting ready for a 14hr shift 🫣
The Eazigrazer
For horses who need ad lib hay but are already chunky, or just pull it through their beds, this product is super.
"All saddle fitters sell you a new saddle, even when yours is fine."
Have you ever thought this, or heard someone say it?
Believe me, I don't. Let's think this through. Your horse has some form of performance issue so you book a fitting, I blame your saddle and swap you into something new. I normally take your trade in and give you a new saddle (which I've bought, and until I sell your trade in I'm out of pocket), you continue to have the same issues and lose all faith in your fitter.
If your saddle is not causing any issues for you or your horse I will be happy to tell you that. I may tweek the flocking, shim the saddle, tighten a few stitches and perhaps suggest a few tweaks to your exercise regime (all included in your fitting fee) and hopefully let you confidently exclude the saddle from your potential list of "why is my horse doing this!"
If your saddle is not fitting you or your horse correctly I will explain why, I will make sure you can see and feel the problem, I'll make notes and give you a copy and I will ensure any resulting expenditure is explained and within the budget we have agreed.
Today was a good day, I didn't sell any saddles, I provided the service I was paid for and got to go horsey shopping in a super little tack shop with a client who's saddle was fine so we had some spare time 🥰
I can now bring 65 saddles out with me!!
I did manage to get the saddles out of their frozen prison but if your arena is frozen, if you cannot safely cross the yard then please let me know atleast 2hrs prior to your apt. We can reschedule, it's no problem.
That's us, we are officially off until the New Year. Have an absolutely amazing Christmas Break. See you in 2024 ### ❤️
I'm a saddle fitter not a saddler. There is a massive difference. My job is about understanding which saddle fits a horse's confirmation, assess their way of going to ensure the saddle rides correctly. It also involves ensuring the saddle fits the rider, places them through the COG and makes them feel safe and secure. As a saddle fitter I do minor repairs; girth straps, gullet repairs, width adjustments, minor stitching and reflocks. Any larger repairs should go to a saddler. We have some excellent ones in NI. Here's a minor repair I am happy to complete. #lovemyjob #repairsday
This week we had almost 30 saddle fitting appointments and I expected to end today completely exhausted and a little overwhelmed with the resulting after service. Instead I had the most amazing day seeing regular clients who are more like family, receiving hugs, help and encouragement. I have a super team at TEC and an unbelievable family who support me and ensure this level of apts is achievable. So this little post is just to say thank you and also to remind myself how unbelievably lucky I am to have so many amazing people around me. A little clip of one of my fave clients and her adorable horse Pat in his new dressage saddle, who can be super sensitive to change. #gratefulheart
Call in this weekend for 20% off any purchase! @followers
My horse is my therapy, he is my best friend, my feeling of accomplishment and my daily gym work out. He has developed a protein reaction and is currently super skin sensitive so can't have a roller or saddle for a while.
Yes this is about him and not me but the truth is the idea of not riding him, seeing what we can achieve, left me feeling deflated. Even if it is only for a month or 2.
But goals are funny things, achieving them doesn't have to mean jumping a clear round or winning a dressage competition. It just has to be progression.
I have therefore decided to take this as an opportunity, to develop my horse and our relationship further. Rather than get a loan horse (which was my first reaction!) we are going to TRY to learn liberty. I don't have a coach for this and all advice is greatly appreciated. For anyone who'd like to follow our progress here is day 1. We just worked on being connected and started to send away and recall. Like lunging without a rope. Keeping him engaged was tough with lots of lovely leaves blown into the arena to eat. But so far, so good and he and I really enjoyed this quieter time together. For now there will be no treats, just scratches. #liberty #horsehappiness
What a super day we had with Helen Reynolds Equionics completing our first ever massage for horse owners course at TEC. First of many based on the feedback today. I'll have some footage pulled together but here's a fun little clip of us learning about correct pressures and different massage techniques. #horseowners #AdultEducationMatters
