Southdown Saddlery

20/02/2024

A great explanation of the difference between the two and all the hard work it has taken to get there. I am also an SMS Qualified saddler and SMS Qualified saddle fitter.

Saddler vs Saddle Fitter - What's the difference?

As some people may know, I'm a The Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddler AND Saddle Fitter. Primarily my job is Saddle Fitting, and that's great because I love it, I love my customers and I love being hands on with horses. So if that's Saddle Fitting, what does a Saddler do?

A Saddler is a maker, mender, creator and downright talented person! Saddlers make everything you can think of related to horses from SCRATCH 🤯 That's taking leather straight from the tannery in sheets, and cutting it by hand, stitching it by hand, and turning it into everything we use with our horses on a daily basis. That's also repairing everything that gets broken as well.

The training to become a qualified Saddler requires you to make bridles, saddles and harness items from scratch, to a specification, and a very high standard. Which is essential knowledge when carrying out day to day repairs, or understanding the construction of saddles when out fitting 🐴

I'm not sure how many people are aware of the annual Saddlery Competition at Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall, but it is a showcase of the absolute BEST that Saddlery has to offer. We're talking about every measurement being scrutinised down to the millimetre, the angle of every stitch judged, and that's in addition to a million other things. You will not see Sadlery items more beautiful or considered than at the Competition. And I'm so proud to say some of my best friends are part of this extraordinary group of talented makers ❤️

Saddle Fitters are also incredibly talented, on a daily basis they are finding ways to make Horse and Rider as comfortable as possible. To perform to their best in their field. Some horses are trickier than others, but the goal is always the same 🤩

Saddle Fitters still need to have some of the same level of understanding surrounding saddles to make adjustments. As part of the SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter exam process you are required to do a Flocking exam and display good knowledge of saddles, leather and repairs. But a saddle fitter will never have to make an item from scratch.

Many Saddle Fitters are also Saddlers. Some Saddle Fitters are purely Fitters, and some Saddlers are purely bench Saddlers. For every qualification, the training will take years of hard work and sacrifice, and will teach completely different skills.

Let's appreciate all Saddlers and Saddle Fitters for the time and dedication they've put into their field of expertise ❤️ And of course, if you want to know any more, just ask myself or any other Saddler or Saddle Fitter (or Bridle Maker or Harness Maker!). We're all pretty passionate about our profession 🦄

19/02/2024

Here are some pics of a handsome chap sporting his new Henry James Bridle recently.
These are lovely quality bridles, and what is particularly helpful, is the fact that they are available to mix and match the sizes. I think this is a very important feature, as hardly any horse is a textbook pony, cob, full or extra full in everything. Our poster boy here had a combination of 3 different sizes to get a comfortable fit!
I carry demo models so we can try them on and ride in different options, to get the right bridle for each horse, then order. Get in touch if you want me to bring my bridle box over !

10/02/2024

Tales From The Workshop. Today I really enjoyed showing a customer the result of a project I have been working on for her. I was asked to make a handbag out of a very much loved and well worn leather Biker jacket. It had a lot of sentimental value, and I have loved every minute of working on it! It has come out really well, utilizing a pocket on the outside and inside, but still keeping lots of character features of the original jacket.
I could really let the creativity loose on this . A true one off!

29/01/2024

Tales From the Workshop
So this is a post about issues that may be going on inside your saddle without your knowledge. This saddle came in for some basic strapwork, and once open, I always give everything the once over inside incase there is something unexpected lurking.
In this case, the wooden part of the tree was cracked on one side at the point; in the first pic you will see a front view of the tree , like a U shape. Here the left part of the U is bent outwards compared to the right which is in the correct position.
This was not noticeable when the saddle was together, as it was still relatively stable (being held together by the metalwork) and by flexing the tree from the outside in the normal places, it did not show up.
Quite an unusual place to see a break; this may have happened if horse and rider had a bad rotational type fall, or if horse was left tacked up in stable and rolled on saddle ( don't ever do this!). Could also have happened if saddle was widened too much/with the wrong equipment ( this type of fixed tree saddle can only be adjusted very carefully, a small amount, once in its life).
In this case, the only option would have been a new tree, which was not viable. In the last pic you can also see it is missing a rivit head over the front arch ( this is fairly common, and can be replaced if tree is intact).
So the moral of the story here is, there can be lots of things inside a saddle that may need some attention, that cannot be found with the saddle in one piece! Most things can be sorted if found early, but can escalate and become unsafe if not.
So please, regularly clean/maintain/check saddles for signs of wear and tear. If you have had a saddle for some time, a general check over inside ( and fit on horse) is a very good idea. If you and horse have a bad fall when riding/horse may have rolled on saddle, get it checked. Or if you have bought a saddle secondhand with unknown history, get it checked over.

04/01/2024

Tales From The Workshop -
Here is an interesting job I was working on on the run up to Christmas, a leather writing case refurbishment. I forgot to take any photos of it when it first came in, but was rather sorry looking, with the edge coming to pieces all the way around, the zip hanging off in one place and the spine very fragile.
Made of Pigskin, the rest was in pretty good order, so I had to put some new leather binding all the way around the edge, and a piece down the spine to reinforce it.
Happily, once done, the zip did up perfectly! So it then had a couple of good goes with the leather feed.
Not sure of exact age of it, but the calendar insert inside is from 1940, so it is over 80 years old!
Really pleased how it came out.

31/12/2023

Stuck for a new years Resolution?
Maybe this can give you some inspiration.......
Pic comes (with consent ) from a great presentation recently given to the SMS by Ben Benson, Master Farrier.
Having a team of professionals around you can seriously improve yours and your horses wellbeing, whether you ride for pleasure, competition or a mixture of both.
I always ask when out fitting what treatments the horse and rider have, and I get a mixture of answers. Often the horses are regularly treated but the riders are left out. I know from my own riding that if I am wonky it can impact drastically on my horses way of going.
Letting these people into your life regularly, not just once in a blue moon when things go wrong can really help unlock the potential of your partnership; even if this is just keeping you both sound and happy out on nice long hacks!
Regular vet, Farrier , Saddle fitter and dentist visits are also extremely important, as is having a trainer you trust and feel comfortable with to give you eyes on the ground advice.
So think about your team, and how you might be able to improve it, maybe by adding something, or just seeing them more often!
Happy new Year Everyone!

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas to all my Family, friends and customers. Hope you are all having a lovely day and wishing you a great new year, filled with plenty of riding on these hairy beasties we spend a lot of time working to look after! Pic of me and Louis back from our ride yesterday in the howling wind and drizzle!

11/12/2023

Tales From The Workshop.
Here is an interesting job i did a while back now, and have just had some pictures through from the owner of it all back together! It is a luggage rack that fits on a Fiat 500; its straps had been badly chewed by some wild critter and needed replacing.
Luckily I had some tan leather in stock that was a good match to what had been there before. They were fitted back on the frame with sturdy copper rivits ( copper will not rust or rot the leather over time) .
All looked smart when done, but I never got to see the case it was meant to carry, so really chuffed to get these pics through of it all complete!

06/12/2023

This is what I will be doing tomorrow!

Did you know all of our registered Qualified Saddle and Bridle Fitters must undertake a minimum of 15 hours of CPD per year? This keeps them up to date with the latest research in all aspects of the equestrian industry. As part of this continual professional development we hold an annual refresher day which contributes to half their required hours.

Tomorrow we have a Master Farrier, Vet, Lecturers and Researchers from Hartpury along with British Equestrian Team Saddle Fitters on the timetable.

It will be a great day of learning but it could mean that if you need to speak to your fitter they might not be available. Be patient, they are adding to their skills on how to help you and your horses.

03/11/2023

03/11/2023

Its that time of year again!
Although gift vouchers are available all year round, they are a great idea at Christmas.
Do you have a Horsey loved one or friend? Or do you have a partner who needs a nudge in the right direction?
Gift vouchers can be for any amount, and can be redeemed against saddle fitting, Bridles or accessories.

01/11/2023

Wintec Promotion!
Any customer who purchases a Wintec saddle in November or December is entitled to claim a free winter riding pack in their choice of colour * while stocks last*.
Pack comprises of a numnah, set of 4 bandages, santa hat, and coloured changeable stirrup keeper. Colours are blue, pink or yellow.

31/10/2023

New Kent and Masters girths now available !
Full leather dressage and GP girths with patented anatomic design ; reduces pressure and improves movement.
Soft edge allows the muscles to move without restriction.
Zero pressure central attachment for martingale/breastplate.
Short elastic inserts both ends which should not affect stability.
Black and Brown, sizes 44"-56" GP, 22"-28" Dressage .
Price £145 (GP), £135 (Dressage) .

I have a GP one in stock so you can see what they are like.

17/10/2023

Great to have a catch up with my lovely friend Sonnar Murray Brown Dressage on a visit over for the night. He watched our regular fab lesson with Melissa's Equine Services who is getting us back into shape after a summer off lessons. Also managed to get a few rare pics of me in the workshop, so thought I would post them to remind everyone of the many repairs/ alterations/ bespoke work I can do.

23/07/2023

I will be away for a few days between 24.7.23 and 27.7.23. Any messages will be responded to as soon as possible upon my return.

23/06/2023

Stirrup leather clear out. All items are new, may have the odd mark from storage.
Saddle co non stretch leathers, 1 x Brown 50", 1 x Black 52" £45 each.
Wintec webbers, synthetic mono T-Bar leathers1 x Black, 1 x Brown 60cm, 1 x black, 1 x brown size 80cm £20 each.
Albion wrapped non stretch leathers, 1 x 60" black, 1 x 57" black, 1 x 54" black, 1 x 54" brown £80 each.

22/06/2023

Girth clear out.
All girths are new, may have been tried on once or twice, may have the odd mark from storage, but are not 'used'. Discounted to sell. Group pic from left to right:
English padded leather atherstone non elastic 1 x black 42", 1 x brown 44" £45 each
Saddle company leather anatomic elastic both ends 1 x Black 56", 1 x brown 42" £95 each
Show pony prep leather anatomic elastic both ends 1 x brown 32", 2 x brown 36" £70 each
Thorowgood synthetic dressage elastic both end 1 x brown 26" £20
Thorowgood Synthetic dressage non elastic 1 x black 28" £20
Saddle company padded leather anatomic dressage elastic both ends 1 x black 26", 1 x black 30" £95 each
Prolite synthetic anatomic dressage 2 x black NG 20" £70 each
Single pics:
Fairfax short event anatomic girth leather 1 x Brown 28" £120
Albion Legend Dressage padded leather 1 x black 24", 1 x black 26" £100 each.

02/05/2023

Tales from the workshop.
For a bit of interest I thought I would write about one of the non Saddle related jobs that come in.
These are leather Suitcase handles that I have been doing pretty much from the get go of starting up for myself in 2010; a company called Clubhouse Interiors Ltd. They are based in West Sussex and deal in all sorts of interesting curios, luggage, memorabilia, props , antiques and furniture.
They repair and restore all sorts of vintage items, as well as making bespoke bits; and I have repaired all manner of interesting things for them over the years, from cases, martial arts masks, diving boots, mannequins etc .
These handles though have been a staple from the start, they have a template to cut them out, and I then put a decorative stitchline around the edge. They are then attached to the cases with a metal bridge piece at each end. These mainly go on their new in - house made luggage, which has been used for West end stage productions, and also as display items in shops for Ralph Lauren. I wouldn't like to think how many handles I have stitched by now, definitely a few thousand! They mainly come to me in the post now, but I often pop in to see them when I am back visiting on the mainland.

20/02/2023

How Heavy is your saddle?
Modern saddles are much lighter now, mainly due to the widespread use of synthetic ( often adjustable) trees, instead of their heavier wooden and metal counterparts.
There can be lots of reasons to go for a lighter saddle, easier for the rider to lift/tack up ( also great for the little people who want to independently tack up). Another reason that is getting much more attention now is the combined rider and tack weight versus the accepted percentage a horse should carry ( no more than 20% of the horses bodyweight).
This does not mean you have to go for a synthetic saddle ( although they do tend to come out lighter), many leather saddles are now being made with synthetic/ adjustable trees.
I have been out to a lovely customer today who is starting to struggle with lifting the weight of her current saddle, and also felt it would benefit her teenage horse , so I went out with some options. By far the lightest was the Wintec Lite GP which comes in at around 3.9kg. I had not seen these in the flesh before, and was impressed by how super light they are! Also having the Cair air panels .
As a comparison, the standard Wintec GP is around 6kg, and the Thorowgood GP's are between approx 4.5 - 5.5kg, so all still a great option if you are looking to cut out some weight and help yourself and your furry friends!

23/01/2023

How Hot/Cold is your tack room?
Our tack and equipment, like us, don't do well in extremes of temperature.
On a saddle fitting in our recent cold snap, it was very difficult to feel whether the flocking in a saddle was hard, and needed a complete reflock, or if it was firm just because it was very cold. Turns out it was very cold, as I had to bring it back to the workshop for some repairs, and in the warm, the panels feel softer.
In an ideal world, where we keep our tack and equipment should be an " ambient" temperature, not too hot ( leather and other materials can dry out/crack) or cold ( can become hard ). Also not damp, as this can cause mould to grow on leather .
We are not just talking about tack , have you tried putting on a body protector that has come from a freezing tack room?? It is like trying to wrap yourself in plywood! Also, your damp sweaty hat will not dry out in the cold and damp.
So might be worth considering the place where your kit is, can it be (safely) kept to a dry, constant temperature?
If not, in extreme hot or cold weather, maybe consider taking it home and just bringing it up when you are going to ride ( don't fall into the trap of leaving it in the car though, just in case it gets stolen!)

22/01/2023

My van got a much needed wash yesterday in the sunshine. Had a very enthusiastic helper, a bit more practice and I might rent him out?..........

15/01/2023

Tales from the workshop.

This is the first in what I hope to be an informative series about some of the jobs that come through my saddlery workshop.

Complete Reflock.
To kick this off, I have decided on one of my favourite jobs to do, the complete reflock on a saddle.
This, in a nutshell, is the process of taking all of the flocking out of the panel ( the cushioned part against the horse) of a saddle and replacing it with fresh, soft, bouncy flock.
There are other materials that may be used in the panel of a saddle, (air and foam being the most common) but in this instance we are just talking about a traditionally flocked saddle.
A flocked saddle requires regular maintenance; flock naturally moves around in the panel a little/beds down with regular use. The ideal is for it to be a relatively soft cushion for the horse, and you, against the hard parts of the tree.
Even the best flocked saddle in the world will require a complete reflock at least once in its life ( perhaps more). Flocking may become firm/hard over time due to use, regular top ups ( adding flock to panel) . It will also depend on what type of flocking is inside.
Ideally, it would be pure sheep's wool flocking ( and there are different types /textures from different breeds). Some manufacturers also use synthetic flock, or a mixture of the two, these tend to become harder quicker.
Another reason to completely reflock a saddle is if it is going to be used on a different horse, or saddle has been bought secondhand. This is because flocking will bed in to the horses back shape and the rider on top; so when it is then put on another horse, it is like wearing secondhand shoes and feeling the imprint of the previous owners foot! So starting with fresh flock will help it bed in /fit the new horse correctly.

The process of a complete reflock is as follows:
* Firstly the saddle needs to be assessed on horse to make sure it fits correctly and whether any other adjustments need to be made.
* Back in the workshop, the top (seat)part of the saddle is removed from the panel so it can be laid flat on the bench.
* The whole saddle is now given a check over, as this can often show up other things that need doing, e.g stitching, girth straps/webs, replacement rivits in tree etc. Sometimes at this point you may find a problem with the tree/metalwork, e.g cracks, breaks etc. Sometimes this can be repaired, sometimes not; this is why regular attention must be paid to saddles, as some of these problems can not be seen/felt from the outside.
* Old flock is removed from the saddle with a special flock removing hook tool, through openings in panel or by opening up the whole side of the panel, depending on what needs doing.
* New flock is put in, all done by hand and 'feel' to get a nice, soft, smooth panel. A couple of other special flocking tools are used.
* Once this is done, panel and seat are put back together and any tweaks to the flocking are done.
*Saddle should then be re fitted to horse and rider, and any adjustments made on site to get fit correct.
* As flocking is now like a new saddle, it is always advised that it may need a recheck and possible top up/rebalance after 2-3 months once bedded in.

So please take the time to feel the underside ( against the horse) of your saddle now and again. Does it feel even and soft or hard and lumpy?
Whatever panel filling your saddle has, it should not be hard or lumpy as this will directly affect your horse and you! If this is the case, always get in touch with your qualified saddle fitter who should be able to help.

Thankyou for reading this long post, I hope it has been of interest!

Pics are as follows:
* A saddle and panel in their separate states
* A panel in the bench with flocking being removed.
* A pile of old flock that has just come out of a saddle (note the 2 different colours, this denotes 2 different types of flock - not ideal ).
* Some flocking tools .

24/12/2022

Merry Christmas to all my Friends and Customers; Thankyou for your support this year. Hope you have a Christmas filled with the ones you hold dear, whether they be 2 legged, or 4 legged and furry!! x Pics are a few years ago now, back in Sussex and with some proper snow!!

20/12/2022

“Beat the bounce “

I Attended a fantastic lecture the other day at Hartpury college all about b***s.

Did you know not wearing the correct bra can change your whole position , balance and have effects on your horse.

Most sports bras are actually tested for “runners” the way the bounce goes for runners is in a figure of eight motion , where as a horse rider it more of a rise and fall pattern.

Your weight in trot on your horse doubles with most of the weight being on the front legs of the horse. Put that with someone tipping forward or bracing against their female assets it’s a massive difference to the way of going for your horse

So ladies …. Please get yourself a fitted supportive bra and help yourself to help your horse.

06/12/2022

Just finished this smart leather tool roll for a customer for a Christmas present, so thought I would share a few pics as a reminder that I can make or repair/refurbish all sorts of things, horsey and non horsey! Dog collars/leads, handbags, boot zips, shooting equipment, car accessories, coat zips, the list is endless. Never be afraid to ask as I have seen many weird and wonderful things!

06/12/2022

Need Some Christmas gift Ideas?? I have been playing around and have made up these smart leather cushions and a Glasses case. In the pics are 1 x Dark pink with silver horsehead, 1 x Dark pink with black horsehead, and one Brown with silver horseshoe, all about 32/33cm square, £20 each. Other colours/sizes/designs (even non horsey) can be made to order ; (prices may vary). Glasses case is a red/brown £12.00, again can be made in different colours/sizes.

14/11/2022

Couldn't help but share some pics of these cushions I have just re upholstered; They have come up so well, in a smart Burgundy leather. Have really enjoyed doing them, and just shows that saddlery workshop skills are not limited to tack only! Do get in touch if you have anything similar that needs doing, always worth an ask! Am also happy to do things like boot zips, handbags, shooting bags/boxes, seat sticks, etc,

08/11/2022

FLASH SALE 15% Off any girth or stirrup leathers in stock , offer ends Sat 12th. Grab a bargain!

10/10/2022

Just a reminder that Gift vouchers are always available. Great for any occasion, but especially with the festive season approaching. Can be used for saddle fitting or accessories, any amount. Time to start dropping hints if you want one for yourself!