Bay Saddlery Ltd

13/08/2024

A post by SaddleFit 4 Life.

Food for thought…

I have found myself in this situation with clients when checking their own saddles.

It’s not easy info to give a client, and may not be taken well, but I suppose it is what it is…and some horses tell their owners the same in their own way…

It’s honestly about education… :) not shaming…!or making people feel guilty…!

12/08/2024

Do you have an Ex-Racehorse…?

And one that you struggle to get a saddle for…?

Read on…

There can be other reasons for muscle wastage, but getting the correctly fitting saddle, which won’t cause this is an important starting point.

09/08/2024

Does your horse have a dipped back…?
Do you put it down to old age…?

Have a little read…

07/08/2024

A little Sparkle…

31/07/2024

Are you backing or bringing on a horse…?

What are your thoughts on saddles…?

Well, the most common thing I hear are…

“I’m not going to get a new saddle for my youngster cos they will change shape…”

That saddle that has been handed down 300 year and one fitted Shetland isn’t likely to work. )well you get my gist here)

Very simply put…

If you’re using a saddle that doesn’t fit, it’s likely to…

Cause pain and discomfort, which likely lead to behavioural and physical issues.

Horses that react in a negative way telling you they are in pain/discomfort may well …

Fidget, move away, pull faces, push ears back, bite or wallop you when you’re tacking up.
They are not being morons!

When under saddle, any unwanted behaviour isn’t them being demonic morons, (they are not humans 🙄🤪)they are likely to be in pain/discomfort.

So, please listen to them, before they start to physically struggle, and develop issues from the saddle .
I work with a lot of rehab cases )rehabbing from years of ill fitting saddles) and it’s heartbreaking! I’m constantly talking with vets and body worked about these issues, as so many horses are referred for lameness work ups, and it transpires there issues are saddle related.

I totally get, saddles are expensive and yes sometime more so than the price of your horse.

If you start with the correct fundamentals like the tree profile matching your horses back profile you are unlikely to need a different tree as they mature, adjustments can be made to the flock and with an adjustable tree the width can be changed.

But in the long term you will spend less starting right than dealing and patching up issues down the line! Saving you and your horse a lot of stress.

Remember, it’s for many of us a hobby and suppose to be fun, so make your life easier from the start!

I promise I’m not here to judge, if you need help you can call me, Jane on 07971019225

My child just starting ridden life, in yes a comfy saddle 😋 with super knee blocks, I need all the help I can get..! 🤣

30/07/2024

I’m

30/07/2024

Love getting my beautiful boy and our saddle out and about…
Taking my little one to see new places…

25/07/2024

Another happy Coblet…

Well, those of you with a very short backed, round barrelled rib aged cob, may well be having big issues with saddle movement and slip, so take positive from this post.

In her new saddle her owner says she feels like a new, bigger, longer striding, softer to ride horse.
Easier to turn, more forward going horse!
And certainly happier.

So I’m delighted to say my work has been done.

Shout if you fancy a test ride or any advise.

You can get me, Jane on 079710191225

Looking very pretty in pink … 🤩

25/07/2024

B A Y S A D D L E R Y

Made by Bliss Of London…

For those of you who don’t know, I’m Kent’s retailer of Bliss saddles.

I like to work a little differently…

I have a keen interest in doing remedial saddle fitting so
Bliss and Bay work very closely together allowing me to provide custom made saddles to the speck both horse and rider need.
And they also happen to be stunners too…!

This way I’m ensuring I provide the best saddles I can for each horse.

And, I’m really proud of my saddles. I get tremendous satisfaction from seeing the improvements in horse and rider in their new saddles.

If you fancy a test ride, you can get me, Jane on 07971019225

22/07/2024

All Dressed Up For Dressage…

Well, my little tiny PRE pony Nero, actually left home over the weekend to see the outside world…

Sporting his custom made saddle, made for me by Bliss Of London to my high spec.

21/07/2024

Do you own an ISH…?

Do you have problems with your current saddle…?

Or problems finding one that work for you both…?

Well, they have specific requirements they need from a saddle to ensure the best fit.

Over the years the breed has changed and their are more and more sporty types in the breed, some being finer, some look like they have more a TB look and others a WB.
So they are all different.

But they generally all have…

🐎Wide wither base and spine
🐎Large active shoulder
🐎Shape to their spinal profile
🐎Well sprung rib cage

All their needs should be met, and actually so should yours.

Easier said than done…?

If you would like to pick my brains with any advise feel free to try 🙃 I will always do my best to help.

Or if you fancy a test ride and feel the difference for yourselves.
Do give me a ring, Jane on 07971019225

19/07/2024

TRUSTING A SADDLE FITTER…!

I totally understand when a client comes to me and they are concerned and a bit anxious trusting another fitter after often years of negative experiences.
It a big financial outlay and trusting someone again can be hard!

A major of my clients come
to me very sceptical, and I really feel their pain. So when I get another lovely review it means the world to me…

18/07/2024

Saddles For

Welsh Section D Cobs…

Getting it right can be a challenge…! Many of you will be able to relate to this !

They need…
A broad channel for spinal clearance.
An open head of the saddle to accompany the wither.
The Tree to match the spinal profile.
Shorter panels.
Correct open tree.
Points that don’t restore their big shoulders.
And the points go on…

You need…
To feel balanced, safe and secure.
Comfortable.
A twist that’s isn’t too wide.
A size and design of saddle that suits you.

How do you even know if your saddle works well for you both…?
You may be aware that your saddle isn’t quite right, when they react to seeing their saddle (negatively)
Their backs look more dipped over time.
They hollow.
They are becoming, or are very tense, short and choppy strides.
Not pushing through from behind. Running through the shoulder.
Reluctant to canter
Overly spooky.
Your body worker finds tension throughout the jaw, poll to their tail.
They can be shorter coming through from behind.
And the list goes on….

Sometimes all these things become the norm so it’s difficultto tell if they are happy or not. But what becomes the norm doesn’t always mean good!

Sometimes you don’t actually realise how bad things are till you ride in a comfy saddle for you and them, allowing them freedom of movement which is imperative.

If you’re even slightly curious if your horse could feel better. Move more freely, relax, work in a softer lower, longer outline you can book a test ride and find out for yourself!

This lovely lady and her beautiful Boy, have literally been through all the above point and emotions.

They were sceptical and worried that they would actually never ever get a suitable saddle! And would just waste more money!!
However, they are both really happy with their new saddle.
The difference their new , well fitting saddle has made a massive positive difference which they both feel!

If you have any questions or fancy a try you can call me, Jane on 07971019225

And now some Welsh Spam …🤩

17/07/2024

The Important Of A Secure Saddle…

So as a happy hacker I thought I would brave some cross country obstacles, well the little boy flew. All I can say is I’m grateful for my secure saddle!!… as we did some impressive moves.

Who said a PRE can’t jump, they fly…





#

09/07/2024

S A D D L E S
For F R E S I A N’S…

I absolutely love this breed, but the case pose a challenge with getting a correctly fitting saddle.
Because…

🐎 They have a very broad base of wither and spine.
🐎 Often they have a shorter Shapley back.
🐎 A huge active shoulder.
🐎 A very well sprung rib cage.

And all of these points need accommodating.

From the riders point of view, your needs are important too.
You need to feel…
Balanced, safe and secure.

I work with many Fresians and I’m always surprised (not in a good way) of some of the saddles that have been in, and I’m very pleased to say that they are all made comfy in their new saddles, their spines are not pinched, they can lift their core and engage, come thro from behind, RELAX, soften and lengthen upfront!

It’s honestly a game changer…

This beautiful lady is now enjoying ridden life in her new saddle.

Have a look at the difference in the underside of her old ( narrow channel) and new saddle…

If you can relate , need help or just have questions feel free to call me, Jane on 07971019225

05/07/2024

F R E S I A N Owner, this is one for you…

So, this absolutely magnificent breed don’t come without saddle fit challenges.

As you are all aware there is a lot to accommodate.
Which may cause you problems in getting a saddle that fits them well. I feel your pain, I know how this can be really frustrating, upsetting and despairing…

What they need…

1. Adequate, wide Chanel so the very wide wither base and spine are clear of the panels.

2. The correct shaped tree to suit and match the shape of their backs, some have quite a curve in their back so a flat tree will bridge.

3. The correct length of tree and panels, as often even the big Fresian can actually have a shorter back, and the rider needs the correct seat size.

4. They, in my opinion don’t need an “A” shaped gullet, but an “n” shape which ensures the wither base area is not clamped by the saddle, this can be hard to get as a majority (if not most) have the apex shape option, as you see in most adjustable saddles.

5. Points of the tree correctly shaped so they don’t jab in behind the scapular with every stride.

6. Panels to accommodate this large shoulder.

7. Correctly positioned girth straps to ensure the saddle sits in the correct position, otherwise the saddle will be pulled forward.

And the list does go on.

I work with several Friesians and they have all come out of saddles which they don’t move well in. And have been transformed in my saddles, the change is instant for horse and rider.

Below you can see how skinny this mares saddle was in the Chanel.

She’s a beautiful 19 year old who instantly moved more freely, without her usual tension. She was able to start engaging her core and stretching forward and down onto the contact.
Her lovely owner Kim was absolutely delighted…

If you have a Fresian and need help, please do feel free to call for a chat- Jane on 07971019225

Note the difference in the spinal clearance of her new and old saddles…

02/07/2024

Another wonderful review from a lovely client…

They really do mean a lot to me…🤩

02/07/2024

When Tommy met Bay…

Some beautiful clothing from the Bay range…

14/06/2024

Do you own a Standardbred…?

Getting the saddle right for you and them may be tricky!

If so you are likely to relate to…
1. Them having a very short back.
2. You’re not a child and need a seat size to suit you.
3. Them having a very broad wither base and back.
4. You have been told you can’t have a forward flap, but the small straighter flap doesn’t accommodate your leg or feel secure.
5. They are very sensitive.
6. Them stretching longer and lower doesn’t often happen.

Finding a saddle to accommodate all their and your needs is very important, otherwise you may feel like your going round in circles (and not the schooling type) getting nowhere positive.

This lovely owner was experiencing several issues with her boy. All of which can knock your confidence.

But since working with them, they have improved tremendously, this beautiful little boy is now much more relaxed, and for the first time able to start stretching, lifting, offering soft transitions.
I really think they look quite amazing…

Please don’t feel you have to suffer in silence, you can call me for a chat on.. Jane 07971019225

05/06/2024

Do you have an angular horse with a large wither/muscle wasting…?

If so you may well be struggling with saddle fit…?

Can you relate to these pics …?

Well, I work with many horses like this requiring a very specific spec for their saddle.

If you would like any advise and discuss your issues you can get me, Jane on 07971019225

03/06/2024

Do You Have An ISH…?

Do you struggle to get a saddle to accommodate…

1) their large shoulder
2) their wide spine
3) sometimes shorter back
4) width
5) Huge active movement..?
Do You Struggle With …

1) being balanced
2) feeling secure
3) comfort
4) feeling crooked…?

Well I see this daily. And my lovely client Kirsten with her beautiful ISH mare were suffering with mist if not all of the above.

Now just a few weeks on in their new dressage saddle they have already achieved great changes and progress like never before.

This is the message Kirsten kindly sent me…

“Hi Jane, hope you are well. We had our first lesson in our dressage saddle yesterday and Dior felt fab!
More suppled and through her back to start with and some lovely work with lots of compliments
X”

02/06/2024

Another happy client and her beautiful Welsh horse, excelling since they have their new saddle…

This makes me very happy and proud..

31/05/2024

Working with another talented Dressage rider and her beautiful horse…

Rachel has seen a huge difference in him physically and in his way of going, for the better.

And in her own level of comfort and stability in their new saddle…

Would love it you took the time to like, share and follow my posts…🙃

30/05/2024

Working with very creative Dressage Riders.

Creating works of art…

A little note from my lovey client…

Would love it if you took the time to like, share and follow my posts…TQ 🙃

29/05/2024

Not just any Dressage

Saddle…

Fancy a test ride…?

28/05/2024

A R E Y O U W O R K I N G
A
Y O U N G H O R S E…?

Then absorb this diagram…

Then think about the negative impact your very likely causing your horse with a “cheap saddle that doesn’t fit” as your waiting till they grow up.m to get a saddle that does fit.

There is no subtle way to say this. If your youngster is started in an ill fitting saddle, so you can make do!

You may be highly likely to cause your horse damage, physically and mentally…!

So please, please think about this…!

If you are worried please feel free to call me…Jane on 07971019225, and I will do my best to help.

Pic borrowed from unknown source.

22/05/2024

📣📣 CLINIC 📣📣

Horse & Rider Performance Clinic with Bay Saddlery Ltd!

Sharpen your skills and maximise your horse's comfort and performance with a special Dressage & Saddling Clinic at Coldblow Equestrian Centre in Kent! ️ Saturday, June 22nd, 2024

Join forces with the expertise of:
*Maddi Burchell Dressagee: Elevate your dressage training with instruction from BD Accredited Coach Maddi Burchell.
*The Dressage Coach Appp: Enhance your learning with insightful tips and exercises from The Dressage Coach App.
*Bay Saddlery Ltdd: Ensure your horse's comfort and performance with expert saddlery advice from Jane at Bay Saddlery

Don't miss this unique opportunity to:
* Receive one to one dressage instruction from Maddi Burchell.
* Gain valuable insights and training tools from The Dressage Coach App.
* Get professional saddlery advice to maximise your horse's well-being from Bay Saddlery.

Limited spots available!

For more information and registration, please follow the link below:

https://shop.thedressagecoach.com/products/horse-rider-performance-clinic-with-maddi-burchell-dressage-bay-saddlery-coldblow-equestrian-centre-maidstone-kent


P.S. Share this post with your fellow dressage riders!

Attention Dressage Enthusiasts! Sharpen your skills and maximise your horse's comfort and performance with a special Dressage & Saddling Clinic at Coldblow Equestrian Centre in Kent! ️ Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 Join forces with the expertise of: Maddi Burchell Dressage: Elevate your dressage t...

06/05/2024