Davenport Leather

A recent slo-mo of Em grazing. I like it for the degree of movement and flexibility it shows in her face. I really recommend you watch this three times… 1. Watch the very bottom section of her head, just up to her nostrils. Marvel at that prehensile lip in action! 2. Watch the middle section, from her nostrils to the base of her cheek. There are bits moving that you might not expect. 3. Watch the top part of her head, from the cheek up to her ears. You get a good idea of the skeletal movement and also those rippling masseter muscles across her cheek - she’s an eating machine 💪 The middle bit is really interesting I think. You don’t necessarily think of this area as being particularly flexible or mobile, but you can see in slow motion just how much is at work. This is exactly where the noseband sits: imagine how uncomfortable it must be if it’s done up too tight… #saddlery #saddler #bridlemaker #bridle #horse #grazing #equestrian #horsewelfare #equinewelfare #tack #tackfitting #bridlefitting #anatomy #equineanatomy

Priorities… #saddlery #bridlefit #bridlemaking #bridlemaker #horsewelfare #saddler #equestrian

Thankfully @jonriley knows his way around a camera. Not like me, standing filming a twirling bridle on my phone 😂

Day two in the summer field. If she keeps this up, she’ll be in harness by June…

Polishing edges is one of my less-favourite jobs, but happily, this is for something so small it’s pretty much instant gratification ✨✨✨ #saddler #saddlery #bridlemaker #leatherwork #horsetack #handmade

One thing I hear a lot is ‘leather girths always stretch’. Yup! That’s what leather does if you put it under tension! But a little effort and general good horsemanship can help keep your leather girth the length it should be. 1) Don’t over-girth! Check your girth at the sternum as well as just below the saddle flap. You may need to get someone to check for you once mounted. Remember to loosen your girth off a hole before dismounting and allow for seasonal weight gain/loss - it’s unlikely your girth will do up on the same holes in August as it did in February. 2) You should have your saddle checked at least twice a year. If your saddle is moving around because it doesn’t fit correctly, it’s pulling on your girth and stretching it. 3) Wipe sweat, grease and mud off immediately with a damp cloth. Mud acts like a face mask and draws the moisture out of the leather as it dries. Dry leather is weaker and prone to cracking. 4) Use a good quality leather dressing. My favourites are Effax, or Hamanol but other good brands are available. Only apply a very thin layer. Pay attention to the leather at the buckles, and also the edges of your girth - any cracks in the leather will rub your horse. If you’re using one of my leather girths, please don’t oil it. It will make the girth slimy when wet, it will compromise the stitching and it will cause the leather to stretch. #saddler #saddlery #handmade #leather #leatherwork #horsemanship #tack #horsetack #equestrian

It’s the first day of Spring! Hurrah! It’s been a long, soggy, muddy winter, but looking back, there has been some pretty cool stuff made in the workshop this winter.

Unsure if something is fitting as it should? There’s a fitting guide on my website, or you can book an appointment. #saddler #saddlery #bridlemaking #bespoke

I grew up (oop north) calling these spools, but everyone down here (darn sarf) calls them bobbins 🤷‍♀️ Nearly 18yrs as a Yorkshire ex-pat and things still catch me out. #workshop #saddler #saddlery #northsouthdivide #yorkshireexpat

This has been lurking in the back of my mind for a while as a rainy day project. Couple of little tweaks still to make, but nearly there. Great little gifts for equestrians… #saddler #saddlery #leatherwork #leatherworkuk #giftsforhim #giftsforher #equestriangifts #equestriangiftideas

One very glam browband… 🌟🌟🌟 #saddler #saddlery #leatherworkuk #bespoketack #bling