Tamar Saddles

08/04/2025

The The Ideal Saddle Company Barclay Liberte has to be one of the ultimate cross country saddles… Wool flocked, close contact, external block, calf covered monoflap 😍 This beautiful saddle had its first check today and had a glowing report from its new owner. The cherry red welt and stitching absolutely pops in the flesh 🍒

These are great value starting at £2195, perfect for the upcoming season 🏇

07/04/2025

I had a not so helpful helper earlier… This little one thought my notes were the perfect place to sit 🙈 Thankfully no muddy paw prints with the sun being out 🙌🏻 Almost ready with the digital forms/tablet, watch this space 👀

28/03/2025

‼️ Warning - Long but incredibly important post, please read fully, this information is so important for all horse owners ‼️

After an incredibly long and hard week I’ve found myself feeling a little deflated at having to continually advocate for horses that are not being listened to. This week I’ve seen lame horses, sore horses, unhappy horses, over/underweight horses, horses with significant behavioural issues, that are all desperately trying to communicate that they are struggling. I’ve had owners downplay these issues, owners who have got upset because I’ve pointed out issues, owners who have guilt tripped me over saddle prices, that they should be cheaper. Owners that have complained about my milage charges, owners that know about issues and refuse to get the vet or physio involved.

Now, most of my clients are spot on and I know if I tell them their horse needs xyz, they will get that professional out and we work as a team to get to the bottom of an issue. But on a few occasions I’ve been out time after time and things haven’t been followed up and it’s the horse who suffers. Moving forward if this continues I simply will not continue fittings because it’s heartbreaking for me. Horses are an absolute privilege, a very expensive one at that. We need to make sure that we are able to fully provide for their every need as owners, we owe them that much.

Sorry if the above offends anyone but it takes an immense toll on me, when I am just trying to do the best possible for your horse and provide a good service. I will not lower my standards to meet low budgets, nor will I stay quiet if something is bothering me. It is worth noting that whilst I am not the cheapest, I also am by far not the most expensive qualified fitter in the South West, there is a very good saying… Pay peanuts, get monkeys! If you want a saddle fitter who is going to tell you everything is rosy and golden, when things really are not, then I am not the fitter for you.

If you want someone who is thorough and you are open to suggestions, sometimes even a little criticism to keep you on track, then you are in the right place:

✋🏻 I’m going to feel your horses back and recommend physio/osteo where needed.
👀 I’m going to watch your horse trot up and refer back to a vet if needed.
👥 I’m going to involve as many professionals as I deem necessary, teamwork makes the dream work!
📏 I’m going to observe your horses conformation and remark on things that might cause saddle issues. Or if your horse is not the perfect weight then this will be discussed too, because weight is SO important, and incredibly relevant to saddle fit.
💪🏼 I’m going to comment on your horses muscle tone and if it’s lacking we are going to discuss what factors may be involved and how we can improve it.
🤕 I’m going to delve into old injuries because this is likely to affect saddle fit.
🏇 I’m going to check your saddle and make it work if I can. If I can’t, then we will try options, I’ll try to work to budget where possible but this isn’t always possible and my job is to fit a well fitted saddle not to compromise my standards.
☹️ I’m going to tell you if your horse is displaying any of the 24 pain behaviours.
👎🏻 I’m going to tell you if I think your horse is not up to work in its current condition, or if you are too heavy, or if your horse would be better off doing groundwork only to build up.

Whilst some of it might not be so nice to hear, by doing so I am performing my job to my absolute best ability. I am advocating for the horse because that is why I do what I do, to make horses comfortable and give them a voice.

Let’s talk behaviour and why it’s so important to observe. Dr Sue Dyson created the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHPE) to help identify low-grade lameness and discomfort of ridden horses. Horses displaying 8 or more of the following behaviours are more likely to be experiencing musculoskeletal pain (Dyson et al. 2018):

1 - Ears back
2 - Eyes closed
3 - White of eye showing
4 - Intense/glazed stare
5 - Opening mouth/separation of teeth
6 - Tongue out
7 - Bit pulling
8 - Head tossing up/down
9 - Head tilt
10 - Above the vertical
11 - Behind the vertical
12 - Head tossing side to side
13 - Tail clamping to the side or down
14 - Tail swishing
15 - Rushed gait
16 - Slowed gait
17 - Moving on three tracks
18 - Canter dysfunction (strike off/disunited/lead changes
19 - Spontaneous change of pace (breaking pace)
20 - Stumble/trip/toe drag
21 - Change of direction/spooking
22 - Resistance/reluctance to go forward
23 - Rearing
24 - Bucking

Let’s face it, how many times have we experienced above behaviours. That’s not to say that one behaviour necessarily is a pain issue. For example, your horse may be swishing its tail because there’s a fly… Or your young horse may be rushing or reluctant because they are unbalanced or don’t understand what is being asked. What’s important is the bigger picture, when we are seeing multiple behaviours presented in one session. This is when we really need to start asking why.

I have annotated some pictures taken from the internet below and I have explained what is going on in the captions for anyone interested. It’s a great visual, but it’s important to remember that these are just a snapshot in time.

For anyone who hasn’t seen Sue’s video, I would highly recommend watching it, it’s incredibly informative and really highlights the importance of saddle fit and why it’s important to spot these behaviours before it’s too late. It’s a great educational tool for us to realise how important it is to catch things early before they become catastrophic issues. It also shows how important it is for your vet to see the horse ridden, so many horses don’t truly look lame until we see them under saddle which can be tricky when we see something of concern but the vet has cleared a horse to be sound from a trot up. This is often because the horse isn’t being asked of much when trotting in hand, compared to when it is being asked to collect and push from behind with a rider, this is when we as saddle fitters spot performance issues that may have been missed.

So in short, please listen to your professionals, because we care deeply and want the best for your horses. Let us do our jobs and take our advice, we are happy to support you and your horses if you let us ❤️

Video: https://youtu.be/hrZgtrqbMVI?feature=shared

24 Behaviours guide:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/630264eadd08da74c4f27a5a/t/6407456c640c094aa88d00a0/1678198132343/TWTP_24+Behaviours_mobile+version_v2+3.06.23.pdf

27/03/2025

Something very beautiful has arrived 😍

The Ideal Saddle Company T&T changeable gullet GP:

🖤 Upgraded black Kilger leather
🩶 Silver welt and stitching for contrast (this looks amazing on greys!)
💨 Ultra grip seat and pads for extra grip on those windy Cornish days
🐑 Super soft wool panels
⬇️ Deep seat for security
🔀 Movable Velcro knee blocks
↔️ Girthing loops allowing for change of position

Can’t wait to get this out 🙌🏻

19/03/2025

👀 Look away now if you are squeamish 🙈

This video is really interesting and highlights how close the facial nerves are to the skin. If your bridle is ill-fitting, your horse will feel it and no doubt over tightening of any part will be uncomfortable.

Bridle design has come on so far in the past decade, ergonomic/anatomical design can dramatically improve your horses comfort. With many manufacturers offering such designs, really we have no excuse to still be using outdated designs which don’t promote comfort or welfare.

If you want to update your horses wardrobe consider taking a look at the following bridle suppliers, all of which are super stylish and most importantly prioritise horse comfort:

Henry James Saddlery
Fairfax Saddles
PS of Sweden

07/03/2025

Wow! What a difference a re-flock can make to a panel, from cylindrical and compacted sausage like panels to a lovely soft finish 🙌🏻 It seems to be non stop re-flocks at the moment, if your panels are feeling a bit firm or uneven then it’s time to book in for some saddle TLC! 🪡

I am absolutely in love with Benridge Woolworks Zwartbles wool, it’s my secret flocking weapon! The great thing about this wool is that it’s super spongey, a little bit course and flocks incredibly evenly. I find it to be an excellent choice for a slightly closer contact panel which requires a little extra lift, the courser fibres keep their spring meaning the panel stays soft but also retains its shape well. It can also be an excellent choice for deeper panels or saddles which are going to be used for long periods of time, absolutely perfect for hunters 🦌

I use all three wool types from Benridge; white long fibre Texel, brown mixed Jacob’s and black Zwartbles. Did you know, each fleece has its own special qualities and lends itself to different panels/horses/riders depending on the closeness/softness/firmness I am wanting to achieve 🐏

05/02/2025

A little saddle for a pony with a big personality 🙈

JJ and owner Charlotte fell in love with the Team GFS Monarch Cob GP saddle. It boasts a changeable gullet, moveable blocks/girth straps and a deep seat for rider comfort. Very pleased with the outcome 🖤

01/02/2025

😍 New saddle day for cheeky boy Socks 🧦

Socks is not quite as straightforward fit wise as he appears, there are a few things we had to bear in mind when choosing a saddle. Firstly, he has a fairly high wither so we needed something which was going to give us lift, as an added challenge his ribcage is downward facing. This means that it can sometimes be tricky to get a good balance for the rider. Lastly, Socks has one shoulder which is bigger than the other so this comes with its own set of challenges.

After trying numerous saddles statically which were nowhere near close, we got to the Cavaletti Collection VSD which was an instant winner. The upswept panels work perfectly with his back shape and ribcage angle, combined with the independent panels which give his shoulders freedom to move. With a fairly open seat it was also a perfect fit for owner Sophie who no longer feels perched.

These can be great options for riders on a budget, with GP/VSD models at under £1000, these saddles are great value for money and have proved to work well on tricky fits 👌🏻

31/01/2025

👀 QUALITY 👀

💸 I am a big believer in you get what you pay for… If it’s cheap, there is usually a reason, be that workmanship, or product.

🎓 Why should you use someone qualified? All Society of Master Saddlers qualified saddle fitters have passed their flocking exams. We have undertaken extensive training and have years of experience, meaning we are able to fit and appropriately flock your saddle.

1️⃣ The first photo is a saddle that was ‘re-flocked’ by someone unqualified, the panel lining was absolutely butchered. The panel wasn’t removed to re-flock the saddle, which I suspect is why the lining was in such a mess. One panel had flocking over the lining, and the other had it under the lining. Unsurprisingly, both panels felt completely different and the horse would have felt this.

2️⃣ Second photo is of the flock which was pulled out of a new saddle less than a year old. Said saddle would work out at about 1/3 cheaper than the average SMS approved manufacturer equivalent. The flock was a wool and fibre mix, both have considerably different qualities and the result was rock solid balls that do not mix. The leather used on the gullet lining was so thin that my stapler would pierce through the hide. Flocking holes were incorrectly placed and too large, meaning the panel had lost its shape and symmetry. All of which had to be corrected.

🥜 Pay peanuts - get monkeys!

💁🏻‍♀️ Why should I pay premium to have my saddle flocked by you? As above, I am qualified to fully re-flock your saddle, and have also attended an advanced flocking course. I only use premium product, Benridge Woolworks is my wool of choice, the quality really is second to none. All 3 wool types are on the van; black (zwartbles), jacob and long fibre white (texel). Each have their own special qualities and lend themselves to different horses/riders/panels. I take my time, nothing is rushed, I will not leave until it’s perfect! The best part, most of the time your saddle can fully re-flocked on site in my LWB van, meaning you will hopefully not be without your saddle.

🐮 Why should I pay extra for a new custom saddle when I could just buy a cheap one online? Custom is the best option available to you and your horse, it means we can build a saddle from the tree up with everything designed to suit you both. Don’t forget the fun bit, you get to chose the leather options and any customisations! When you buy a custom saddle from myself, you can be assured that the quality will be of the best standards. I am very selective with my suppliers and am proud to work with some of the best manufacturers in the UK.

✅ If in doubt, get it checked and look for the SMS badge.

28/01/2025

Love love love these saddles 😍

A beautiful custom Hunt Jump ready to go to
it’s new home next week. Ergonomically designed for the horse and styled for the rider. Subtle patent detailing and butter soft memel print leather to finish 🤎

This saddle has a 1/2 inch shorter panel and a drop element to suit the modern Thoroghbred shape 🏇

22/01/2025

I don’t often take videos or moving photos because so often I am completely focused on watching your horse that I forget to take action shots for the page 📸

Pictured is Hodor owned by Deb Criddle MBE Dressage and ridden beautifully by Rachel Shire, we have high hopes for this very special boy! Saddle fitting wise he has thrown us a few challenges and he’s on his 3rd saddle at 8 years old. With a lot of hard work from a fantastic team he has straightened out and is strengthening up. We are hopeful that he has finally stopped changing shape now 🤞🏻 Did you know that the skeleton doesn’t finish developing until 6 years of age, some slower growing breeds or larger horses can take much longer.

Standing at 18hh, there is a lot of horse and that comes with a lot of movement. He has been fitted with a The Ideal Saddle Company Jessica dressage saddle, the shallower panels have helped provide stability and a closer contact feel for the rider.

15/01/2025

Think I might have left my flex ons and leathers somewhere, if I’ve left them at an appointment please send me a message ☺️🤞🏻

03/01/2025

I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas and I would like to wish all of my clients and followers a happy new year 🥳 There will be a few changes for 2025 which I will be posting about soon.

After taking a bit of quiet time over Christmas I am going to be back fully fitting towards the end of next week, I will get back to all messages over the weekend.

I met Luna before Christmas, her previous saddle was poorly balanced and didn’t give her shoulders enough room so I sent her owners off to source a Kent & Masters Cob GP. Luna has a little bit of weight to lose so a changeable gullet was top priority for us and this one fit the bill perfectly. Really pleased with the outcome, it gives her shoulders plenty of room and the upswept panel suits suits her profile.

Fancy a challenge?… Guess what size gullet bar she takes 👀

23/12/2024

Steve and Hattie set up in their new secondhand Jeffries Saddlery Liberty GP ready for the hunt field, how smart do they look! 🔥

Big thank you to Sara and Steve for the wine and venison, the amount of love I have received from my clients in the run up to Christmas has been so heartwarming 🥰 Thank you all for being amazing! Feeling very lucky 🫶🏻

17/12/2024

This lovely boy presented us with a little bit of a headache over the past 6 weeks 🤯

Meet Archie, he’s a 16hh TB and new to his owners, they have done a wonderful job of bulking him up since he’s arrived. The biggest challenge he presented is that he only has a 16 inch back, you can see how much space there is from the last rib to the wing of his pelvis in the second picture, luckily his rider is a very petite teenager. The second challenge is that he has an incredibly high wither which you can’t really appreciate from these photos, so getting lift and clearance hasn’t been easy.

I had to really put my thinking cap on to find something which would work for his short back/ high wither combo and his teenage rider wanting to do Pony Club. It also needed to be something which would accommodate his changing shape as we are expecting him to continue to develop muscle and topline. We set him up in an older style Wintec temporarily and I warned his owner it could be a lengthy process finding the right saddle.

With an unbelievable stroke of luck the exact saddle which I had in mind (like hens teeth) appeared and here are the results. A beautiful WRSC Devo by The Ideal Saddle Company balanced with a gorgeous Mattes corrective sheepskin half pad. The Devo boasts a drop style panel which helps achieve lift and a flatter seat which lends itself to all activities. Hoping to get a demo sorted in the new year 🤞🏻

Smiles all round getting this set up before Christmas 🎄🥰

29/11/2024

Black Friday December offer 👀

10% off any new saddles ordered
20% off any new ex-demo stock (not secondhand)