Montague Saddles - Julie Knaggs

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Montague Saddles - Julie Knaggs

Based in South East England, I am an independent holistic saddle fitter, SMART saddles technical advisor, trained bridle fitter and equine performance analyst.
(15)

08/11/2024

Are you 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆? 📆 Join Julie Knaggs and Jo Szegota for a SMART Saddle experience with a difference! 🐴

Ever wondered what it’s like to ride on a mechanical horse, a horse where you can concentrate on you and your riding and not what they’re up to? 👀 Curious about what a SMART Saddle could do for you? Or just want to learn how to assess the fit of your own SMART Saddle?

Join us on 𝟭𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 for an afternoon all about finding the perfect fit, comfort, and connection in the saddle—with not one but two SMART advisors and 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 🐴 to guide you!

This is your 🫵 chance to try something new, chat with experienced saddle fitters, and get hands-on with a range of saddles. And yes, there’ll be tea, coffee and cake too! 😋

Head over to the Events tab for all the details on times, location, and what’s included. 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 so drop me a message ASAP to secure your spot—don’t miss out on this unique experience!

Got questions? 🤔 Just ask below or drop me a message - you know me, I love a chat!

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EquiEdge Marketing
SMART Saddles
HerdLeader Riding Coach + Simulator

01/11/2024

A saddle 𝗳𝗶𝘁 for life! Two ponies, one saddle 🐴

In June 2022, I fitted Debbie's New Forest pony with a Native GP SMART saddle. Fast forward two years, and when she brought home new pony ‘Tin Tin’, I refitted that very same saddle to him! With just a small shim adjustment and a new green saddlecloth (because let’s face it, the red one wasn’t going to quite work with Tin Tin’s chestnut colouring! 🤭), the pair are now ready to ride comfortably. 👌

And this is the beauty of SMART saddles - their flexibility. As a horse changes shape throughout the seasons or even if the rider changes horse, the saddle will continue to flex-to-fit and adapt. Since SMART saddles are sized for the rider, so long as your next horse or pony is the appropriate size for you, then the saddle will be too. Gone are the days of having to invest in a new saddle each time you changed horses, or you horse changed shape! 🫣

That’s the magic of a SMART saddle—ultimate comfort for horse and rider, whatever the future brings. 🌿

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EquiEdge Marketing 🐴
SMART Saddles

25/10/2024

SMART Saddle experience day! 🏇 - 17th November

Join us for a fun and informative day all about the fabulous SMART Saddles with not one, but two experienced SMART advisors plus ‘Teacher’ the mechanical horse!

📅 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 17th November 2024
⏰ 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 1pm - 4.30pm
📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Sideways, Hollantide Lane, Wallingford, OX10 6JT
🙋🏻‍♀️ 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, new and exisiting clients alike

What’s on offer?

🔹 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘀: Learn how to adjust a SMART saddle and pick up essential tips for maintaining saddle balance.

🔹 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀: We will have a wide selection of SMART saddles in various sizes and styles for you to see and try out on the day.

🔹 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Introducing “Teacher” the riding simulator—perfect for experiencing a SMART saddle in a controlled environment. Jo will be offering short rides and explaining the benefits of simulator lessons for both horse and rider. There will also be the opportunity to have a sit on various saddles on stationary saddle stands.

Meet the Advisors:
🔸 Julie Knaggs, Montague Saddles - A SMART Technical Advisor and holistic saddle fitter with extensive experience in horse and rider biomechanics.
🔸 Jo Szegota, Herdleader- Biomechanics coach, SMART advisor, and personal trainer with an incredible eye for rider and horse movement. Jo will also be providing test rides on the simulator!

Details:

💵 Cost: £30
🐎 Come dressed to ride but no need to bring your horse
🍰 Tea and cake provided for all attendees.

📧 Drop us a message to book your slot—don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to improve your saddle fit, try a range of SMART Saddles styles AND have a go on the riding simulator!

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EquiEdge Marketing
SMART Saddles

18/10/2024

However wet it looks in these photos, believe me, it was 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 wetter! ⛈️ 🙈

Louise bought her first SMART saddle a couple of months ago – a dressage saddle for her young horse Buzz (pictured), whilst her older Elementary level horse was off due to injury. Now that she's experienced the huge benefits of riding in a SMART Saddle, when I visited again this week to see how they were getting on, Louise was keen to try the jumping model for days outside the white boards. 🏇

With her second horse Baz now also back in work, I was able to fit both saddles to both horses during this visit – all thanks to the clever, flexible fitting system that SMART Saddles offer. 💁‍♀️ This means Louise can now swap between two different saddles for different disciplines, and best of all, both horses can be hacked out together, each in their own SMART Saddle!

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EquiEdge Marketing
SMART Saddles

11/10/2024

Who knew that wearing Hi-Viz could be just as important in a field as it is on the roads?! 🤷‍♀️

Well, here’s something many may not realise: 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 ✈️ 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗶-𝗩𝗶𝘇 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹—𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗼-𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴!

Recently, Pete (aka Mr Montague Saddles) had the privilege of visiting RAF Odiham to represent us at a rider awareness day. The key takeaway? 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗛𝗶-𝗩𝗶𝘇—𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀! 🐴✈️

When we say “all times”, we mean it: in your lessons, outdoor schools, hacking, or even in your stable block. Here’s why:

🟡 Aircraft crews are trained to look out for livestock, especially horses. The sooner they spot you, the sooner they can make adjustments to keep everyone safe.
🟡 Hi-Viz makes you visible at distances, even when flying at high speeds (140mph) and low altitudes (100ft).
🟡 If you’re in an area where aircraft frequently fly, they may not be able to divert without causing more noise and disturbance. But if they see you in Hi-Viz, they might climb to a safer height to avoid startling your horse.
🟡 If your horse reacts, don’t worry. Aircraft crews are trained to monitor you and your horse until they know you’re safe. If necessary, they’ll circle back and may even land to help if you need it. 😯

💡 Pro Tip: Two Hi-Viz colours 🟡🟠 are better than one! Make sure you’re as visible as possible.

Our military and emergency services crews take rider safety seriously. They’re even happy to offer talks to explain why these precautions are so important.

Let’s keep each other: 🚁 👉 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, your livery yard, and anyone who could benefit from this important info!

Have you ever encountered aircraft while riding? ✈️ 🚁 Drop your stories in the comments below! 👇

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EquiEdge Marketing🐴

04/10/2024

Ever wonder what’s inside a saddle, 🔍 how to check if a tree is straight? 📐or fancied having a go at flocking a saddle panel? 🔨

➡️ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁!

Montague Saddles is teaming up with Orion Saddles to offer a saddling dissection and discovery workshop - it’s open to horse owners, riders and professionals alike. No experience necessary, just a curious mind! 🧠

Bring along an old saddle of your own or use one of ours. We also welcome you to bring any old numnahs or girths for discussion.

During this educational workshop event you’ll have the opportunity to discover how saddles are made; you will see first hand some of the issues lurking in those trees or under the panels to watch out for and gain a fascinating insight into how saddle fitting really works. 😉

📅: 23rd November 2024
🕰️: 1pm-4pm
📍 : Harmony Equitation Pound Farm, Leigh
Wiltshire, SN6 6RD What3words: ///successes.paraded.aimlessly
🎟️ : Limited tickets available, strictly on a first come, first served basis. 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 ‘𝗠𝗘’ 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙬. 👇 We will then contact you to book your slot.
💳: ticket price, £40 per person

Do you know someone who might be interested in joining us? 🤔 Please tag them below 👇and share this post to help spread the word! 🗣️

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EquiEdge Marketing 🐴

29/09/2024

Ready to try a SMART Saddle? 🏇 Here’s how to book an appointment with me.

1️⃣ Send me a message: by WhatsApp 📲 to 07879 644211 or PM 📥 to this page with details of your availability and your yard postcode.

2️⃣ Fill in a Test Ride booking form: don’t forget to add my name - Julie Knaggs - where it asks for the name of the agent you’d like to see.
Click here 👉: https://www.smartsaddles.com/shop/SMART-Test-Ride-Reservation-&-Disclaimer-UK-Only-p542908747

Once you have completed both of these steps, I will then get in touch to arrange a suitable appointment date 📆 and time. I always keep a few appointments back each month, meaning I can usually see clients at short notice where required.

📍 Based in South East England, I cover Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, as well as further afield on request and charge a single fixed consultation fee for my services, plus travel as appropriate.

💚

Julie Knaggs, SMART Saddles Technical Advisor, independent holistic saddle fitter of over 14 years, equine performance analyst and all round professional horse and rider biomechanics geek.

💚 EquiEdge MarketingnSMART Saddleses

22/09/2024

I had a fantastic day on Wednesday attending a SMART Saddles 🏇 CPD training day at Harmony Equitation in Wiltshire!

It’s always a valuable opportunity to expand my knowledge 🧠 and share experiences with fellow professionals in the equine industry, as well as to catch up with old colleagues and friends! 🤗 What really stands out to me about SMART Saddles events is how the atmosphere is so welcoming and inclusive, and it’s a real pleasure to be part of a community that’s as passionate as I am about doing what’s best for the horse. 🫶🏻

Have you tried a SMART Saddle yet? 🤔
Or does yours need a tweak 🤏 perhaps?

Comment 💬 ‘ME!’ below 👇 and I will contact you to arrange! 📲

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EquiEdge Marketing 🐴

13/09/2024

Is it the horse or the saddle? 🏇

Despite fantastic conformation and a proven track record over fences, 7yo ISH ‘Dino’ had been really struggling with his jumping. He was also moving tight on the flat and had become very unhappy when approached with the saddle.

It can be hard, especially in Suzie’s situation working with a new horse, to establish whether these sort of problems are horse or saddle related. Is it is behavioural, is it physical or is it saddle? 🤔 🤷‍♀️

This is why it’s really important when faced with feedback like this from your horse, to check ‘back and tack’ - get a bodyworker and a saddle fitter out. If you know your horse isn’t sore and your saddle is right then you can with clear conscience, begin to work through the ridden behaviours.

Except the first thing that I noticed about Dino’s saddle was how twisted the tree was! 😳 Even if it had fitted, this saddle could not be used.

But actually what a blessing, because the
the difference in Dino in a SMART Saddle, was jaw dropping! I saw a once tight horse begin to unravel in front of my eyes and he engaged across his back so much that I had to rebalance the saddle, twice, to accommodate the improvement in his posture! Suzie said that she had never ridden Dino feeling like that before. 🤩

The pair now have the saddle on a 2 week pre-purchase rental to see how they get on but I have already heard from Mike Aylmore, their trainer that he has noticed a huge change in Dino in just the first week! 👏🏻 Mike said Dino is much freeer in lessons and generally seems a lot happier. 😍

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SMART Saddles
Aylmore Classical Dressage
EquiEdge Marketing 🐴

05/09/2024

The SMART Saddles Native base: a perfect 👌 fit for cob-types!

If you own a cob, then you will know how frustrating 🤯 it can be to find a saddle that accommodates their larger shoulders, broader backs and flatter builds in a market that seemingly largely caters for TB shapes! 🤦‍♀️ But that’s where the SMART saddle’s Native base comes in!

Specifically designed for wider horses, the Native base is ideally suited to wide, flat or short back shapes with little or no wither and boasts the following unique features:
✔️ Low profile base panel, specifically designed for increased stability on flatter back shapes
✔️ Shorter base length and more upswept rear panel shape which can facilitate taller riders on short-backed horses or ponies, and lends itself especially well to croup high cobby types.

Plus of course it still includes all the wonderful benefits of a SMART Saddle as standard. Features like a fully flexible gullet and base panels that allow full freedom of movement, provide a wider bearing surface and more balanced weight distribution to avoid pressure points, and promote a healthy, mobile back. The secure close-contact feel for the rider and the easy-fit system that adapts with your horse or pony as they change throughout the seasons. (Perfect for those chunky good doers! 🤭)

Whether for hacking, schooling, or competing, the SMART saddle offers unparalleled comfort and performance. With 2 base designs, 5 sizes and 7 styles to choose from there is something to accommodate every horse or pony and rider combo in the SMART Saddle range! 🐎

Drop me a message 📲 to feel the difference a SMART Saddle could make to you both!

📸 Caroline Benham & Chicco

EquiEdge Marketing 🐴
SMART Saddles

28/08/2024

Amy and Jester 🤡 🐴

I first fitted this fabulous 14 year old cob gelding with his SMART Saddle just 2 months ago. Jester has been going brilliantly since, in fact he won both his dressage tests 🥇🥇 at a recent competition, and they were big classes! 👏

I asked Amy the differences she has seen and felt in Jester since my last visit: 🎤

“This saddle has enabled us to get him lighter in front, in the shoulders. He has much more of a range of position in the neck and the shoulders so he's able to be a lot stiller. He’s also a lot less spooky, a lot softer in his back and it’s allowed him to be more independent in his frame and so not pulling down.” ~ Amy Jones

Although Jester hasn’t had any issues since his first fitting, his way of going had transformed in such a positive way between my visits that he was already in need of a saddle rebalance. ⚖️ There was so much improvement in his posture, way of going and topline, that we had to completely change how the saddle is set up! Unlike conventional treed saddles, the SMART Saddle not only allows for all these future changes of shape, but it also 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 this healthy back development.

It's always worth getting your saddle checked at regular intervals, even if your horse or pony is still working really well because little tweaks 🤏can make HUGE differences. Amy said she felt like this readjustment had given her an extra 20% from Jester! 🥳

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EquiEdge Marketing 🐴
SMART Saddles

21/08/2024

SMART Benefits 👌 for the Rider

You’ve often heard me rave about how fabulous SMART Saddles are for horses, but what about the rider? 🤔

SMART Saddle rider benefits include:
💚 Optimal Rider Balance: The stirrup bars are positioned for balance, not restricted by tree points. This enhances comfort and security, allowing for a correct position and easier self-correction.
💚 Zero Concussion: No push from a rigid frame means it’s excellent for riders’ backs.
💚 Subtle Aids: Horses respond more easily to subtle cues because they can clearly feel the rider’s slightest position changes. This also means the rider can feel the horse’s back, improving aid precision.
💚 Comfortable Seat: The flexible seat allows extended periods in the saddle without seat bone discomfort.
💚 Lightweight: Easy to carry and lift, even onto large horses.
💚 Economical: A major advantage is the ability to monitor and adjust the fit and balance as needed throughout the year. This offers an economical solution – simply replace or adjust low-cost shims instead of the entire saddle! SMART’s high-tech, maintenance-free panels eliminate the need for flocking adjustments.
💚 Versatile: SMART Saddles are initially sized for the rider, then fitted and balanced to the horse, allowing you to use the same saddle on multiple horses.

With a wide range of knee and thigh block options, rider support can be tailored by selecting the size, shape, and placement of each block. For example, a taller rider might prefer a slimline knee block to increase space for a long hip-to-knee length, while a shorter rider may benefit from a larger block that supports the knee further back. The Velcro system makes it easy for multiple riders to use the same saddle, simply by moving or changing blocks and shims as needed.

📷 Nim Hollingshead riding in her SMART Dressage saddle

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EquiEdge Marketing🐴

12/08/2024

I need your 🫵 help!

I am good at many things … photography is not one of those things! 🙃😂

In fact, I am absolutely USELESS at taking photos during appointments to share on social media. I just get all caught up and lost in the moment during SMART Saddle Test Rides and forget to take any at all! 🤭

Do any of my lovely clients please 🙏 have any photos 📸 of themselves riding in their SMART Saddles that EquiEdge Marketing could use in future posts, here on my Montague Saddles page?

You can send them direct to Tori at EquiEdge, pop them on this post or message my business page with them.

ANY photos would be very gratefully received. Thank you.

In the meantime, here for the ‘Facebook algorithms tax’ is a photo I did actually take 📸 recently of my Highlandssoaking their rock solid feet in an attempt to soften them, pre hoof trim!! 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

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EquiEdge Marketing 🐴

05/08/2024

SMART Saddles: What's in it for the horse?

In my humble opinion 💁🏻‍♀️ as an experienced holistic saddle fitter working with a wide array of treed, part-treed and tree-less saddles, SMART Saddles offer unparalleled ✋ freedom of movement. Without exception, every horse and pony I work with in these saddles, has improved.

We all know they’re THE most comfortable saddles on the market to park your backside 🍑 in, but what’s in it for the horse 🤔 :

💚 Fully flexible lateral base panels - engage with the horse’s long back muscle either side of the spine. Fitted with a close contact, the panels flex independently with the movement of the horse to enable freedom of the shoulder, back and trunk, whilst supporting the rider in the saddle.
💚 Responsive gullet - lifts and flexes with the horses' back action, both laterally and longitudinally, to avoid pinching
💚 Self-tensioning girthing system - provides freedom of movement and stability throughout the stride cycle of the horse.
💚 Lightweight - reduces the overall load for the horse to carry (see webinar for research on rider: horse weight ratios.
💚 Changes in back shape, posture and muscle dimension can be accommodated dynamically, promoting long-term good back health without the restrictions of a rigid saddle tree.

Positive improvements commonly seen when using the SMART™ saddle include:
💚 Without restriction, the forehand frees up and horses can more readily find their natural balance, moving more uphill and straighter.
💚 Young horses improve confidence and older horse become happier.
💚 A change and improvement in ridden work with a more forward approach; more forward thinking, confident, calm, willing, able to concentrate, and less spooky, resistant, defensive, evasive, naughty etc.
💚 Physical changes as a result of this: improved musculature and more power, elasticity and expression.

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EquiEdge Marketing🐴
SMART Saddles

29/07/2024

What can you do in a SMART Saddle? 🤔 Find me something you CAN’T do in a SMART Saddle! 💁🏻‍♀️

📸 Here’s Caroline Benham doing Working Equitation in hers.

The advanced SMART™ saddle design has been developed to meet the requirements of the modern equestrian. Extensive scientific testing throughout development ensures SMART FLEXTech™ Technology allows for the highest level of performance and horse:saddle:rider synchrony.

All SMART Saddles feature:
💚 Flexible base panels and gullet - for a healthy, mobile back
💚 Self-tensioning Y-girthing – provides freedom of movement and saddle stability
💚 SMART™ Elite seat – superior balance; close-contact with a narrow twist for comfortable and effective riding
💚 Customisable knee & thigh blocks- for tailored, adjustable support
💚 Premium materials - classical meets contemporary; customise to your taste, including patent leather keepers and SMART™ Cantle design.
💚 Easy-fit system – adjust the fit with external balance pads, eliminating the need to buy a new saddle each time your horse changes shape.
💚 Unique deformable design – unrivalled safety for horse and rider in the event of a fall

👉 Do you fancy a ‘Test Ride’ in a SMART Saddle a to see what difference it could make to you and your horse? 🤔

Drop me a message 📥 and let’s book you in to try one for yourself!

💚

EquiEdge Marketing 🐴

26/07/2024

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐖! 🐎🐎🐎

Help us spread the word 📢 by sharing this post. ↩️

At Jackson Equine 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 Veterinary Practice, we pride ourselves on being different. Led by the highly respected vet Adam A. J. Jackson, MRCVS, with over 20 years of clinical experience, we are committed to delivering personalised, compassionate care. 🤝

From preventative medicine 💉 to advanced diagnostics 🦴 and cutting-edge treatments 🧬 , we provide all services at your horse's home yard. This ensures they feel comfortable and secure, making vet visits less stressful and more successful.

🌟 Honesty and integrity are the core of our practice. We openly discuss costs and maintain complete transparency with our clients. 🌟

Located in 📍 Farnham, Surrey, we offer exceptional care to clients in the Waverley, Woking, Guildford, Cobham, Chobham, and East Hampshire areas.

𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 👇
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🐎

JacksonEquine
🐴

22/07/2024

“Julie Knaggs, the wicked witch 🧙 of good saddling” - said Jo Szegota, HerdLeader Riding Coach + Simulator.

Well, I’ve been called worse I suppose! 🤷🏻‍♀️ 😂

It’s always such a pleasure to catch up with Jo and her horses. She was kind enough to write me this lovely review after our recent appointment that I just had to share!

“Julie blows my tiny mind every time we have a ‘play date’. She has just popped round for a quick quarterly saddle check and all done in under 5 hours….!!!

That’s because Julie offers so much more to horse and rider. I just love our collaborative sessions looking at rider balance, saddle interaction and the movement of the horses. Loads learnt, and loads more to experiment before our next session.“

Appointments are so much more than just saddle fitting. I love to get my geek on 🤓 and visits to Jo are the perfect opportunity for this! During our most recent session, I also gave Jo - who normally rides in a SMART Saddles PRO Dressage - the opportunity to try out the new SMART Saddles Elite Hunter Jump which personally I am loving at the moment!

I find this model lends itself so well to a variety of rider conformations as an alternative to the standard GP. It offers a different alignment which just seems to work so well for all those I have tried it on so far, most of whom have zero intention of ‘hunting’ or ‘jumping’! 🤭

See what Jo felt in the video below. 👇

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If your horse’s tack needs a tune up, then please get in touch! Based in South East England, I am an independent holistic saddle fitter, SMART saddles technical advisor, trained bridle fitter and equine performance analyst.

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SMART Saddles

Address

Sherfield On Loddon
Hook
RG27OFD

Telephone

+447879644211

Website

http://montaguesaddles.co.uk/

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Videos

“Julie Knaggs, the wicked witch 🧙 of good saddling” - said Jo Szegota, HerdLeader Riding Coach + Simulator. Well, I’ve been called worse I suppose! 🤷🏻‍♀️ 😂 It’s always such a pleasure to catch up with Jo and her horses. She was kind enough to write me this lovely review after our recent appointment that I just had to share! “Julie blows my tiny mind every time we have a ‘play date’. She has just popped round for a quick quarterly saddle check and all done in under 5 hours….!!! That’s because Julie offers so much more to horse and rider. I just love our collaborative sessions looking at rider balance, saddle interaction and the movement of the horses. Loads learnt, and loads more to experiment before our next session.“ Appointments are so much more than just saddle fitting. I love to get my geek on 🤓 and visits to Jo are the perfect opportunity for this! During our most recent session, I also gave Jo - who normally rides in a SMART Saddles PRO Dressage - the opportunity to try out the new SMART Saddles Elite Hunter Jump which personally I am loving at the moment! I find this model lends itself so well to a variety of rider conformations as an alternative to the standard GP. It offers a different alignment which just seems to work so well for all those I have tried it on so far, most of whom have zero intention of ‘hunting’ or ‘jumping’! 🤭 See what Jo felt in the video below. 👇 💚 If your horse’s tack needs a tune up, then please get in touch! Based in South East England, I am an independent holistic saddle fitter, SMART saddles technical advisor, trained bridle fitter and equine performance analyst. 💚 EquiEdge Marketing 🐴 SMART Saddles #JulieKnaggs #MontagueSaddles #JulieKnaggsMontagueSaddles #EquinePerformanceAnalyst #SaddleFitter #SMARTSaddles #SMARTSaddlesTechnicalAdvisor #HorseandRiderBiomechanicsGeek #EquiEdgeMarketing

As those of you who have worked with me in the past will know, I am a HUGE advocate for women’s health 💪 and I’m not afraid to talk about the important issues affecting female riders. Things like .. BOOB BOUNCE! 🍈🍈 So I was really pleased to meet the lovely Mari from MAAREE sports bras when I was at the National Equine show with SMART saddles in March. MAAREE offer 50+ different sizes 📏 up to an H cup and are committed to: “Providing support for women so that we are empowered to achieve our potential!” Definitely check them out! 💚 Julie Knaggs, SMART Saddles Technical Advisor, independent holistic saddle fitter, equine performance analyst and all round professional horse and rider biomechanics geek based in South East England. 🇬🇧 💚 EquiEdge Marketing🐴 #JulieKnaggs #MontagueSaddles #JulieKnaggsMontagueSaddles #EquinePerformanceAnalyst #SaddleFitter #SMARTSaddles #SMARTSaddlesTechnicalAdvisor #HorseandRiderBiomechanicsGeek #EquiEdgeMarketing

How do you bring your Dales pony back into work after time off being a broodmare? In a SMART Saddle of course! 💁🏻‍♀️⁣ ⁣ Here’s my client, riding and leading her Dales ponies. Both fitted in SMART Saddles by me. 🙋🏻‍♀️ ⁣ ⁣ And that’s the beauty of these saddles - they’re one saddle for all seasons; of the year ☀️ 🌧️ ❄️ and of your horse’s life. SMART Saddles flex-to-fit and are a saddle fit for life! ♥️⁣ ⁣ 💚⁣ ⁣ EquiEdge Marketing🐴 ⁣ ⁣ #JulieKnaggs #MontagueSaddles #JulieKnaggsMontagueSaddles #EquinePerformanceAnalyst #SaddleFitter #SMARTSaddles #SMARTSaddlesTechnicalAdvisor #HorseandRiderBiomechanicsGeek #EquiEdgeMarketing

This is a video you really need to watch with the SOUND ON! 🔊 Jo is a lovely endurance rider who was referred to me by Joanne Archer, a fab chiro I work with regularly. She felt Jo would benefit from a different saddle as issues were not being resolved as well as she would expect following bodywork. Initially, I refitted their existing saddle to allow for some muscle development and we booked a SMART Saddle Test Ride to coincide with an endurance ride a few weeks later. Jo’s joy from the first minute of riding in the new saddle I felt should be captured and shared, which she very kindly agreed to! 🎥 Fran the horse, started moving so very differently from the very begining but you can see as the video progresses, how much more she starts stretching and lifting into the back. But don’t just take my word for it - watch Fran for yourself and listen to what Jo has to say! 🗣️ 💚 EquiEdge Marketing 🐴 #JulieKnaggs #MontagueSaddles #JulieKnaggsMontagueSaddles #EquinePerformanceAnalyst #SaddleFitter #SMARTSaddles #SMARTSaddlesTechnicalAdvisor #HorseandRiderBiomechanicsGeek #EquiEdgeMarketing

Today I would like to give a huge Shout Out to my lovely client Jadine who has come 3rd in her Prelim 15 test (2nd ever affiliated test) and earnt her first Winter Area Festival Qualifying score plus 3 BD points!! The determination and improvement she has shown, as well as going on her own to compete, has been amazing. Onyx is a little fell powerhouse and they will go far! However all she is worried about is one of her feet!! Anyone even notice! Yes that will come but kick back and enjoy the moment you superstar! SMART Saddles https://instagram.com/what_the_fell?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Love such positive messages! This was from a lovely lady, I had a long chat with her and suggested a trial of the SMART Saddles to help with a hip issue! "Hi Julie, just thought I'd message after the conversation we had in April. Just wanted to say I've had a trial and fitting with mark and ended up buying the smart elite event. You were absolutely 100% correct, it is the most comfortable saddle for my arthritic hips I've sat in 🤩 even when I'm having a flare up I still feel like I can properly sit in it. My horse feels unbelievably better, so thanks for taking the time to talk to me it's been a very happy ending!"

SMART Technical Advisor, Julie Knaggs of Montague Saddles, is available for home consultations with the fully flexible, award-winning SMART saddle range across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and beyond. With 14 years saddle fitting experience, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge and a truly holistic approach to each of her clients. Whether you have a wide, flat backed cob or a high withered thoroughbred, there's a SMART saddle to suit! Plus, take advantage of the comprehensive test ride, try-before-you-buy rental and 0% payment plan options available. To find out more or to book an appointment, simply get in touch: 📞01909 807 870 💻[email protected] ➡️www.smartsaddles.com

I'm sharing this because it's so true how we get caught up and forget.... Don’t over complicate it.... 🐎💙☘️ There was a time when you were just happy to ride, happy to be in the company of horses. It didn’t matter if you could execute a perfect lead change or jump double clear rounds. You were just happy to have two feet in the stirrups and ears leading the way! You didn’t care about having the best tack, the coolest boots, or the newest hi-tech breeches. An old ex-racehorse, your favorite, old worn out pair of jeans with a colorful t-shirt did the job just fine! You didn’t spend the days between Christmas and New Year’s planning a heavy schedule of training sessions, clinics and competitions. You threw tinsel around your pony’s neck and went hacking with friends!The new year was just another 365 days to go riding! Don’t forget that you started this sport because you loved the animal. You loved the rush of galloping across open fields and the serenity of watching horses quietly graze in the sun. You do this because there is nothing on this earth that makes you feel more alive than being on the back of a horse, so don’t overcomplicate it… Enjoy the little things, because one day you will look back and realize... they weren’t little at all. 🐎💙☘️