( FOCUS ON SADDLING )
SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS’
QUESTION & ANSWER In this issue Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter, Helen Reader
answers some frequently asked questions on saddlery. 1
I have just purchased a horse which is rather short in the back. My 17.5 inch event saddle looks very long on him but is a good fit for me. I am long in the leg. How can I resolve this so that we are both comfortable and safe?
I would recommend a visit by a Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter in the first instance to assess your current saddle and fit. A shorter saddle would be required, so that it doesn’t sit on the lumber region of the horse. To accommodate your leg the saddle would need to be either more forward cut or have a high knee block which your leg can sit under. This would allow you to remain balanced and secure in the saddle which is obviously important especially when going cross- country. Another area to look at is a saddle with a flatter seat as this can also give the you more ‘room’ in the saddle than a deep seat would.
2 3
How far back is ‘too far back’ on a horse’s back for the saddle to sit?
The horse’s back needs to be carefully looked aſter whether a leisure horse or one competing at the highest level. It is important that the tree of the saddle must not go beyond the last rib. The panel of the tree can go past this but not the tree.
Could you advise me how to tell if my saddle is the correct size for me?
Again a visit by a Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter is always the best starting point. When sitting in the saddle there should be four fingers behind the rider – for example between the rider and the back of the cantle, as a general rule of thumb. At the front of the saddle the rider’s knee should not come over the front of the knee roll or flap, this is a sure sign the saddle is too small and not a correct size.
For more information visit
www.mastersaddlers.co.uk or contact The Society of Master Saddlers on 01449 711642.
48 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
SADDLEDOCTORS UK MASTER SADDLERS OXFORD
SMSQUALIFIED SADDLE FITTERS SALES AND SERVICE
LARGE STOCKS INCLUDING: FAIRFAX,
BLACK COUNTRY, IDEAL, KENT & MASTERS, AMERIGO, ALBION ETC
SADDLES RE- BALANCED ON SITE
QUALITYANDFITONABUDGETORTOPEND 01865 244700
WWW.SADDLEDOCTORS.CO.UK
For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk Folllo us on lowuson facebook fo book for competiit otiions & speciaial offers ffers
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
