Let's think about Bridles - Part 1 ๐ด
Clients have often bought an ergonomic bridle online for their horse, this series is designed to give more information on how exactly a bridle should fit from a horse perspective. ๐
Also to start to make you more aware of the subtle nuances I see and feel every time I look at your horse.๐ค
So ergonomic means.. "relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment", most bridles now are labelled ergonomic, but how would you choose! ๐
If you bought a riding hat๐ค , maybe knew your size, would you go online and buy a nice looking, sparkly maybe, hat. Would you expect this to fit, and more importantly be comfortable. Almost all of us have tried hats on and found them uncomfortable, even though on paper they should fit! Yet we do this for our horse most of the time!
Let's get to know our horses heads in more detail, one part at a time, and work out exactly what they need from a bridle. You will be amazed at the problems which can occur, that you would not expect! ๐ซฃ
The video below was made whilst on crutches with my extremely muddy horse, but I wanted to get over exactly what you need to start to feel, so I apologise for the qualit๐ซข
Every horse you touch this week, feel these areas, and how different every horse appears. Take and post some pics below so we can discuss!
Let's step back and start to look at our horses head..
โJulie Knaggs, the wicked witch ๐ง of good saddlingโ - said Jo Szegota, HerdLeader Riding Coach + Simulator.
Well, Iโve been called worse I suppose! ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ ๐
Itโs 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!
โJulie blows my tiny mind every time we have a โplay dateโ. She has just popped round for a quick quarterly saddle check and all done in under 5 hoursโฆ.!!!
Thatโs 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.โ
Appointments are so much more than just saddle fitting. I love to get my geek on ๐ค 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 โhuntingโ or โjumpingโ! ๐คญ
See what Jo felt in the video below. ๐
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If your horseโs 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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As those of you who have worked with me in the past will know, I am a HUGE advocate for womenโs health ๐ช and Iโm not afraid to talk about the important issues affecting female riders.
Things like .. BOOB BOUNCE! ๐๐
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 ๐ up to an H cup and are committed to:
โProviding support for women so that we are empowered to achieve our potential!โ
Definitely check them out!
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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. ๐ฌ๐ง
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How do you bring your Dales pony back into work after time off being a broodmare? In a SMART Saddle of course! ๐๐ปโโ๏ธโฃ
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Hereโs my client, riding and leading her Dales ponies. Both fitted in SMART Saddles by me. ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ โฃ
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And thatโs the beauty of these saddles - theyโre one saddle for all seasons; of the year โ๏ธ ๐ง๏ธ โ๏ธ and of your horseโs life. SMART Saddles flex-to-fit and are a saddle fit for life! โฅ๏ธโฃ
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This is a video you really need to watch with the SOUND ON! ๐
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. Joโs joy from the first minute of riding in the new saddle I felt should be captured and shared, which she very kindly agreed to! ๐ฅ
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 donโt just take my word for it - watch Fran for yourself and listen to what Jo has to say! ๐ฃ๏ธ
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EquiEdge Marketing ๐ด
#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 ๐คฉ 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:
๐01909 807 870
๐ป[email protected]
โก๏ธwww.smartsaddles.com
Based in South East England, I am an independent holistic saddle fitter, SMART saddles technical advisor, trained bridle fitter and equine performance analyst.
