Proud to be an SMS Qualified Master Saddle Fitter
Today I’ll be mostly online doing my CPD Refresher Training for the Society Of Master Saddlers - the gold standard of saddle fitting qualifications. #lookforthebadge The Society of Master Saddlers
Super busy clinic yesterday at Katie Bailey Dressage in Tewkesbury… 🙌🏻
Some challenging fits yesterday, dealing with saddle slip situations.
Solving saddle fitting problems requires an open mind, an ability to think, open and honest communication with the rider, and close observation of the horse/saddle/rider. 🤔
And in very rare situations, by solving saddle slip, the horse may be less able to perform a dressage move - preferring to push the rider over to the stronger side. Observing, listening, trying different solutions. Finding the best solution.
Fair to say my grey matter was fully put to the test yesterday! 🧐🧠
Thank you to all clients who attended!
Lovely to see Bocelli (Sofia Games’ Junior horse) whom I have looked after for many years now.
Especially great to see Children on Horses European Gold Medallist Ella-Grace Dovey and Jackson fresh back from their success at the National Dressage Championships! 🥇
A super day in the office!
Look at this beautiful Aviar just arrived in for a very lucky horse and rider!!
Stunning!
@AviarSaddlesUK
Preloved barely used ….
Equipe Olympia dressage monoflap
(The saddle brand of Laura Collett!)
Medium width
16” seat
£3420 new
£2950 Ono
Pre loved World Class Monoflap Dressage saddle!
Interchangeable gullet bar
Wool flocked panels - Prolite lined
Cara panel - great for uphill horses needing less front gusset and a greater rear gusset.
Barely used.
£3000 Ono
£4000 new.
😇The importance of in-hand pole work!😇
This is Desmond - and this is part of his weekly S&C routine to help him be strong in the core.
The slower he goes, the more he has to engage. And as it is in hand he has nothing resisting his back lift.
These in hand pole exercises were learned of at a British Dressage Sports Science conference for coaches in 2022. The session was delivered by Team GB vet Dr Rachel Murray, and Freedom Saddlery clients have been able to have this information passed on.
Here at Freedom Saddlery, we are passionate about ongoing learning - and by attending routine saddle checks new knowledge learned at CPD events such as this can be shared as part of your appointment.
Book your next routine fit in soon! Remember - if within 6 months of your last one with us, it is a discounted price!
#morethanasaddlefitter
Great to be back out competing, and back giving PSG a bash with Mr Beau. So lucky to have this beautiful boy of sponsored rider Carolyn Mellor’s! Officially back at work now! Get booking in - the diary is getting full! Xx
Beautiful view of St Aubin and the bay this morning! Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I go! And nowhere more beautiful to do it! ☺️
Friday rush hour
This is the kinda Friday vibe I like!! ☀️🐶🐶🌊
Saddle fitting with the French coast in view!
@jerseyequestrian
#jerseylife
A great day in the office in Tipperary!
Heather took delivery of her Envy Saddles Aurora and both her and Felix love it.
She was riding just as I arrived for her follow up fitting, so I asked her how it was going!
As with most new saddles - it’s important to have a follow up fitting as horses can move very differently, building new muscles - hence why we take templates - always!
A small adjustment made to the balance of the saddle made it even better (it had started to drop at the front as Felix had changed.
The importance of routine checks cannot be emphasised enough!
Thank you Vitaliy Halstyan for hosting another fab clinic! And to Kilshane House for the accommodation!
🤔Let’s talk gullet bars!!
🦄 A gullet bar is an extremely strong metal bar that goes inside the front of a saddle tree to alter the saddle’s width.
🌈 They are colour coded PER COMPANY. A red could be a narrow with one manufacturer and a wide with another.
🌲🌳They are all very different shapes and lengths depending on your horse’s conformation.
🔩They are usually screwed into the tree.
⛔️ The wrong type of bar should NEVER be put in a saddle as this will compromise its safety.
🫵🏻 You should always use a SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter (or a supervised trainee) to change the width of your saddle.
💪🏻 The bar gives the tree rigidity - without which it would sit low on the wither!
💔 It is not unknown for gullet bars to break if under *undue* pressure. Which is why it is important to have your saddle checked regularly for fit! Some brand’s bars are more sturdy than others.
Some saddles have adjustable trees instead of interchangeable gullets. Given horses can change shape regularly, it’s important to bear this in mind when considering a saddle!
And that’s all about gullet bars!
Feel free to share!!
