Informed Designs new

06/01/2026

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Right. Let’s kick off 2026 with a Very Important One.
WHAT is the difference between a saddler and a saddle fitter?

Because honestly… this question causes more confusion than when someone shouts 'loose horse!' in the lorry park.

The short answer:
👉 A 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿 makes saddles.
👉 A 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 fits saddles.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. …but also, let’s go a tiny bit deeper.

Why everyone is confused (and it’s not your fault):
Both professions sit under the same governing body (the 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀), so people understandably assume:
'If it says Master Saddler, that must be who fits my saddle?'
🚨 Plot twist: not necessarily 🚨

So… what does a Saddler actually do?
👑A 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿 is a highly skilled leather wizard/genius (think Harry Potter with an awl instead of a wand-y thing).

They:
Make saddles
Repair saddles
Do major structural work (eg new trees, big rebuilds, serious surgery)
(they also do bridles, harnesses and stuff but this post is all about saddles)

A 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿 is someone who has reached Master status in saddlery (think Dumbledore* with an awl)

👑And a 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿?
A Saddle Fitter is trained in the dark art of actually fitting the saddle to your horse (and you!) and adjusting it accordingly.

Modern SMS Qualified Saddle Fitters are also qualified to:
Adjust flocking
Do full reflocks
Make fit tweaks
Often do minor repairs

A 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 = someone who’s reached Master status in 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Different skillset. Different exams. Different magic 🧙‍♀️

Can someone be both?
Yes!
Some people are dual-qualified unicorns 🦄
They can be both a Saddler and a Saddle Fitter.

But not everyone is. And that’s fine.

The takeaway (tattoo this on your brain):
🛠 Big repairs/new trees/major work? → Call a Saddler
📏 Fitting/balance/flocking/adjustments? → Call a Saddle Fitter
🤝 Sometimes they work together. Like the Avengers. But leather-based.

More myth-busting, saddle tea-spilling and horse-y nonsense coming very soon ☕🐴 Because education is great... but education that actually makes sense? Even better.

*apologies if the Harry Potter references don't work, I have never watched one before and had to ask my kids who told me the reference is wrong cos apparently Dumbledore isn't a better wizard than Harry... But you get the gist... hopefully?

26/12/2025

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Here’s a little horse science to kick off your Boxing Day, folks 🧠🐴

I know a lot of people spend what feels like a million bucks on gadgets, gear, and the next best thing, but none of that really matters if you don’t understand that your horse is engaging with you through the emotional and survival part of the brain.

It’s not about equipment, training, or techniques. It’s about understanding that your horse is meeting you through the limbic system, the part of the brain that governs connection, emotion, and safety.

This is called Limbic Resonance.

Limbic resonance is the deep, non verbal emotional and physiological syncing that happens between individuals through the brain’s limbic system. In humans, this is how empathy, bonding, and emotional understanding develop. It’s that feeling of being on the same wavelength, where one person’s inner state naturally influences another’s.

We see this everywhere. A calm person can settle someone who feels anxious. A baby relaxes in the arms of someone who feels safe. Dogs will often choose to sit near certain people or lean into them, while reacting nervously around others. None of this relies on words or deliberate behaviour. It’s about how that person feels on the inside.

This is limbic resonance at work.

So what does limbic resonance actually look like in the body?

Inside the brain is a group of structures called the limbic system. This system is responsible for emotions, memory, bonding, and survival responses. It is constantly scanning the environment for information about safety, danger, and connection.

The limbic system does not work on its own. It is directly linked to the central nervous system, which carries electrical impulses throughout the body. These impulses influence breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, posture, facial expression, and subtle movement. Together, they create your internal state.

And that internal state is not private.

We are constantly broadcasting it outward in several ways at once. Through our body signals like posture, tension, breath, and rhythm. Through chemical signals such as scent and pheromones. And through electrical impulses moving through the nervous system. Other mammals pick this up automatically, without thinking about it.

This is limbic resonance in action. It is nervous system to nervous system communication. No words needed.

Horses excel at this.

As prey animals that have survived for over 55 million years, horses have developed this system to an extraordinary level. Their survival has always depended on being able to sense and respond to subtle changes in others. They are masters of limbic resonance.

Within a herd, horses are constantly reading each other’s emotional and physical states. This silent communication keeps them safe. It is their primary language.

When we spend time with horses, we step into that system.

Horses do not tune into our words first. They sense how we feel, how present we are, and what we are carrying inside. Long before we act or speak, they already know whether we feel calm, unsure, confident, or unsettled.

Your internal dialogue plays a big role here.

And to be fair, it is completely understandable that you might feel uneasy when you see something worrying ahead, especially when you are out riding. A flapping tarp, a banging gate, or something unfamiliar in the distance can easily trigger a moment of tension. That does not make you a bad rider or handler. It makes you human.

If you are standing there thinking, oh no, he’s going to freak out, your nervous system is already broadcasting tension. Your horse feels that immediately, often before anything actually happens, and that is very often the moment that actually sets him off and makes him freak out.

If instead you can gently train yourself to pause, breathe, and think, it’s fine, nothing to worry about, I’ve got this and I’ve got you, that provides him with a sense of reassurance and safety that often keeps him calm.

You do not need to say it out loud. When your thoughts, breathing, and body line up, your horse can feel that steadiness and borrow it. If you see something as just a thing, your horse is far more likely to see it the same way.

This is why breathing matters so much.

Slow, steady breathing slows the heart rate and settles the nervous system. When your nervous system settles, you are not pretending to be calm, you actually are calm. That genuine calmness then flows naturally through your body, your chemistry, and your nervous system.

Horses pick this up instantly.

When a horse feels that real steadiness, they feel safer. And when a horse feels safe, they are more likely to want to be near you, connect with you, and stay relaxed. Not because you asked them to, but because your presence feels good to be around.

And no, you do not need to be a Tibetan monk sitting on a mountain to do this.

Simply slowing your breathing, softening your body, and being present is enough. Even a few conscious breaths can change what you are broadcasting.

Horses do not need perfection. They just need you to be real.

In humans, limbic resonance builds connection and understanding. In horses, it is about safety and survival.

When you understand this, working with horses becomes less about trying harder and more about slowing down, breathing, and being present.

And honestly, that probably is the most valuable Boxing Day gift you can give your horse.

23/12/2025

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12/11/2025

When did your older horse last have a dental examination?

As winter approaches, and there is less grazing available, it’s really important to address the dental health of your geriatric horses.

Older horses are more susceptible to dental issues due to natural changes in their teeth over time, so regular check ups are so important to ensure their comfort and maximum chewing ability.

Common dental issues found in geriatric horses include: Sharp enamel points, senile diastemata, periodontal disease, wear abnormalities, displaced teeth, mobile teeth, absent teeth, infundibular caries and equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH).

Equine teeth naturally wear down over their lifetime due to having hypsondont dentition. As the tooth wears apically, the enamel thickness decreases, resulting in a thinner enamel layer on the chewing (occlusal) surface. Another structural change, which affects the upper teeth, involves the infundibula. Infundibula only extend through 80-90% of the reserve crown; over time these infundibulum will wear out. With thinner enamel and worn infundibula, the teeth become more prone to wear, leading to a faster rate of attrition. This results in smoother teeth surfaces, which can reduce the efficiency of chewing hay.
These age-related changes create irregular wear patterns, contributing to uneven crown height and therefore further compromising chewing effectiveness.

Another physiological age related change is the natural tapering of the teeth which will lead to the development of gaps between the teeth which can trap food and lead to periodontal (gum) disease, mobile teeth and even tooth loss. These gaps are called senile diastemata. In cases of senile diastemata, treatment should be on a case by case basis. Early identification and long term management is really important to ensure the comfort of your horse.

If your older horse does have difficulty chewing hay due to compromised grinding surfaces, dietary changes may need to be considered such as switching to fibre mashes to ensure adequate nutritional intake. It’s important to discuss with your EDT or Vet if this is the case.

Horses are known for their stoic nature, which means they often don’t show obvious signs of discomfort until dental issues are advanced. This highlights the importance of frequent dental care, ideally every six months for older horses, to ensure their comfort and identify any problems early to give them the best chance of prolonging their chewing efficiency.

Visit www.baedt.com to find a qualified equine dental technician near you!

30/10/2025

I am available for Bitting consultations now in Cheshire ! I am based at Somerford so I can either come to you or you can meet me at Somerford. I work with Hilary Vernon (informed design bits).
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you feel you haven’t got the correct bit yet for your horse or you are struggling with breaks when out on the cross country course or showjumping arena.

Please contact me on 07714495034

25/10/2025

25/10/2025

“He/she is too green”

This is something I often hear when people enquire and I send videos of suitable horses. These horses are 3/4/maybe 5yos…. I am glad they are green!! And I will never apologise for that.

It means they haven’t been overproduced and have spent lots of time in the field growing and developing between little bursts of work. It also hopefully means that they will go on to have long and happy lives as strong, sound individuals - able to do their jobs for as long as possible.

Yes - our young horses will always be “behind” others in their age group and those you see at the big sales/age classes at shows…. But what does “behind” really mean at that age? They always catch up with their peers by 6/7 if you have spent the time doing the basics correctly and have a well rounded, soft, supple horse who wants to work.

You don’t prove anything at 3/4/5 you just use up some of the finite number of jumps that I believe each horse is born with. That’s one nugget of wisdom I gleaned from a very experienced horseman in my formative years - don’t use those jumps up jumping pointless fences as a young horse.

Get out of the arena, go hacking, work on a variety of surfaces to build soft tissues and never be afraid to turn the horse away for a couple of months. They will come back mentally and physically stronger as a result. Let them into big open spaces with friends and allow them to just be horses for a little while longer.

There will be many years ahead to go competing if you take it slowly in the first few. Photo of Donal with a few 3 and 4yos growing slowly in the fields of Ballinasloe ❤️

19/10/2025

Bit measuring
A mouthpiece is measured from under and across the width measuring where the Horses lips would be not from end to end of the mouthpiece and not following the curve of the mouthpiece
Mouthpiece picture is a 5" Lozenge snaffle
A cheek is measured inside the rings
Two cheeks size pictures are Loose Ring Lozenge Snaffles 2 1/4" and 2 1/2" respectively
If you are unsure of what you need why not send WhatsApp pictures to make sure you are getting it right before you order

11/10/2025