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FOCUSONSADDLING


In this issue we talk to TheSocietyofMasterSaddlesto find out more about the work theycarry out, howsaddleshavedeveloped overthe yearsand the real importanceofhaving acorrectly fittedsaddle.


SADDLING UP –THE FACTS!


A


saddle is without adoubt the mostimportant purchase foryour horse.Itisa well-known fact that ahorse needs acorrectly fitted saddle to perform to the best of itsability, but is this idea


really implemented fully.A badly fitted saddle candoalot of damage,leading to behaviour problems or even lameness. The huge influencethe saddle has in relation to equine


welfare, rider comfort and the production of optimum performanceisbeing increasingly recognised by equine vets and physiotherapists,trainers, instructors and horse owners. The SocietyofMasterSaddlers(UK) Ltdwas formed


in 1966 to serveasaTrade Association forthe craft retail saddler,but has sinceembraced all aspects of the Trade. The Society’saims aretosafeguardthe qualityofwork, services,training and qualifications of all those who work in the saddlery trade from manufacturersand retailers through individual craftspeople and saddle fitters. Forhorse ownersThe SocietyofMasterSaddlersacts


as astandardthat youshould expectyour saddle fitter to be apart of.Having aSocietyofMasterSaddlesRegistered Qualified Saddle Fitter guaranteesthattheyare fully qualified, professional and haveaminimum of three years’ experience. Beforethe SocietyofMasterSaddlerslaunched itssaddle


fitting qualification, therewas very little formalised training available.Coinciding with the introduction of the saddle fitting qualification, the SMS began an extensiveprogramme providing information and adviceabout the importanceof acorrectly fitting saddle in relation to safety, wellbeing and performance. It isafactthattoday’shorse ownersare farmore knowledgeable than their counterpartsofevenafew yearsback. In the lastcouple of decades, saddle fitting has become moreand more complicated. Firstly,whereas in the past


SADDLEDOCTORS UK MASTER SADDLERSOXFORD


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01865 244700 WWW.SADDLEDOCTORS.CO.UK 26 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER2020


mostcountrieswerelargely reliant on indigenous breeds and typesofhorse,nowadays manybreedshavebecome global. Consequently,today’ssaddle fittersneedafar more comprehensiveknowledge of the conformation of different breeds. Secondly,thereare moresaddledesigns on the market than ever before. Innovations continue to enter the market and ranges of specialistsaddlesare constantly increasing. The productknowledge demanded of today’s saddle fittersisfar greaterand morecomprehensivethan their counterpartsof20-even10–years ago.And of course,saddle fittersmusthavea goodunderstanding of the demands of the individual disciplinesand sports and the regulations applicable to the use of tack. SMS saddle fitterstakepride in the help,information


and advicetheyprovide.Although everyendeavour is made to accommodatethe rider,the firstpriorityisto provide asaddle that affords agood fitfor the horse.


SADDLE CHECKS Horseschange considerably overtime.A horse’s‘shape’


is very dependent on the horse owner’smanagement. Ahorse canchange shape formanyreasons. Maybe


he is enjoying abreak fromwork turned out in a field with lotsofgrass.Possibly,the competition season is


Forthe latest newsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk


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