SG Saddles - Master Saddle Fitting and Bridle Assessment.

Things owners apologise for at saddle fittings that genuinely DON’T bother me… 😂🐴

“Sorry I’ve not cleaned my tack.”
Good! I hate working with greasy tack!

“Sorry, he’s being an idiot today.”
Please don’t be embarrassed. Horses have opinions, moods and bad days just like the rest of us. Sometimes seeing the problem is actually really useful!

“Sorry, I’m not a very good rider.”
I’m not there to judge your riding, I can assure you.

“Sorry, I don’t know anything about saddles.”
You don’t need to. That’s my job. Ask me as many questions as you like.

“Sorry, I’m a bit nervous.”
Believe me I get it! Please just tell me. We can take our time. You don’t need to prove anything to me.

“Sorry, can I ask a stupid question?”
Yes. Although I can almost guarantee it isn’t stupid.

And finally…

“Sorry, my horse has put on a bit of weight.”

I already know. 👀😂

But I’d much rather you tell me what’s changed. Weight, workload, fitness and muscle development are all useful information when I’m assessing your horse.

Just give me you, your horse and the truth about what’s been going on.

We’ll work the rest out together. 💚

💜 Lovely Harvey and his new saddle 💜

Harvey was fitted with his new GFS Premier Jump saddle last week — and doesn’t he look smart? 🥰

As always, it wasn’t simply about finding a saddle that looked good. We wanted something that worked well for Harvey’s shape, gave him the freedom to move comfortably, and suited his rider too.

After trying other options and assessing everything both statically and ridden, the GFS Premier was the one that ticked the boxes for this partnership.

One of the things I really like about the Premier is how much we can fine-tune it for the rider as well as the horse. The adjustable/moveable knee blocks allow us to alter the support and position to suit the individual rider’s leg, while the adjustable stirrup bar position gives us another way of helping the rider find a naturally balanced, secure position. 🙌

🖤 OK… I might be slightly obsessed with this one! 🖤

Meet the Fairfax Eros Monoflap XC 😍🔥

It’s sporty. It’s seriously smart. And it has that gorgeous close-contact, secure feel that makes you immediately want to go and jump something! 😂🏇💨

Developed with 7-time Olympian Andrew Hoy, there’s a LOT of clever thinking behind this saddle too. 👏

🐴 Fairfax Performance Panels designed to reduce pressure and allow freedom through the shoulder
🤩 Lovely grippy Italian calf leather
🏇 Monoflap design so you feel really close to your horse
💪 Big supportive blocks for that secure feeling without wedging you into position
🔧 Wool flocked, so I can fine-tune the fit to the individual horse
✨ Adjustable shoulder blocks to help get the rider position just right

And something I REALLY like… 👀

For horses with asymmetrical shoulders, we can even use different thicknesses of shoulder block to help the rider sit more squarely. 🙌

Clever, clever saddle. 🧠🐴

Obviously, as I say ALL the time, there’s no such thing as one saddle that suits every horse and rider. But when I find a combination that this saddle works for… 😍👌

I think you’re going to love it.

So… who fancies a sit in one?! 🙋‍♀️😂

📩 Drop me a message if you’d like to try the Eros at your next fitting — or if you already have an appointment booked, let me know and I’ll make sure there’s one on the van for you to try. 🚐🐴

🚐 What’s in a Saddle Fitters van?

I have to admit, I am ridiculously proud of my van set-up 😂

It’s basically my little mobile saddle-fitting workshop — and yes, I get far too much satisfaction from everything having its own drawer!

On board I carry a range of saddles, a huge range of girths, stirrup leathers, knee blocks, bridle parts, fitting and adjustment equipment, gullets, 3 types of flocking, tools, pads and all the other bits and pieces I might need during an appointment.

I even have my own work bench in the van, so when a saddle needs adjusting I have a proper dedicated space to work on it there and then. 🔧🐴

But possibly my favourite bit?

The drawers. 😂

Everything has a place. Everything is organised….. well at the start of the day anyway!

It might seem like a small thing, but having the van set up properly means I can arrive at an appointment with plenty of options and the equipment I need to make adjustments.

It has taken a while to get it exactly how I want it, and I’m forever tweaking little things, but I genuinely love it.

Basically… some people are proud of their kitchens. I’m proud of my van. 😂💚

🐴 What saddle brands do we stock at SG Saddles?

One question I’m often asked is “What saddles do you sell?”

The answer is… quite a few! 😁

At SG Saddles we currently work with:

✨ Fairfax
✨ Kent & Masters
✨ Thorowgood
✨ Bates
✨ Arena
✨ Wintec
✨ GFS

Why so many?

Because horses aren’t all the same shape — and neither are riders.

Different brands offer different tree shapes, panel configurations, seat profiles, adjustability and fitting options. What works beautifully for one horse and rider combination may be completely wrong for another.

Having a wide choice means I can look at the horse and rider in front of me first, and then consider which saddle and fitting options are most appropriate — rather than trying to make one particular brand work.

And there are options across a range of budgets too, from practical synthetic saddles through to beautiful performance and competition models.

💚 The aim isn’t to sell you a particular brand. It’s to find the best solution for you and your horse.

Not sure what might suit your horse? That’s exactly what your saddle fitting appointment is for.

🐴 “But the saddle fitted perfectly last time…”

It probably did!

The thing we sometimes forget is that while the saddle may not have changed, the horse underneath it can.

A horse can change shape because of:

• Weight gain or loss
• Changes in muscle and topline
• Increasing or decreasing workload
• Time off
• Age
• A change in way of going
• Seasonal changes

And sometimes those changes are surprisingly quick.

That’s why a saddle that was a good fit several months ago isn’t automatically a good fit today.

Regular saddle checks aren’t about finding a problem — they’re about spotting small changes before they become bigger ones.

Have a look at your horse today. Do they look the same shape as they did three months ago? 👀

🐴 WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT A SADDLE-FITTING APPOINTMENT?

If you’ve never had a professional saddle fitting before, you might wonder what actually happens!

It’s much more than putting a saddle on and having a quick look…

1️⃣ We talk
About your horse, their history, workload, any changes you’ve noticed and what your plans are.

2️⃣ I assess your horse.
Their shape, symmetry, condition and topline.

3️⃣ Measurements & photographs 📏📸
These give us useful information to refer back to and help monitor changes over time.

4️⃣ The saddle is assessed on the horse.
Looking at balance, clearance, contact, length and stability. Any adjustments needed are made before assessing again.

5️⃣ We assess dynamically 🐎
I want to see what happens with the horse, saddle and rider in motion.

6️⃣ Then we make a plan
That might mean an adjustment, discussing pads/girthing, monitoring something, trying a different saddle — or simply confirming that everything is working well.

And that’s an important point…

A saddle check doesn’t automatically mean you need a new saddle!

My job is to give you an honest assessment of what’s in front of me.

🐴 Be honest… what condition is your horse REALLY in?

One of the most important things we can do for our horses is to regularly assess their shape and body condition — and be honest with ourselves about what we find.

And believe me, as a saddle fitter, I hear every excuse on the planet when a horse is carrying a few too many pounds… 😂

🌱 “He’s just gone into a new field.”
🌾 “He gets nothing to eat, what more can I do”
🏜️ “There’s no grass in there.”
😤 “He gets angry if I don’t feed him.”
🚪 “He escaped last night…”
🎈 “He’s just bloated.”
☀️ “It’s been too hot to ride.”

Okay… I might let you off with the last one! 😂

But the reality is, our horses don’t know they’re overweight — it’s our responsibility to recognise it.

It can also be surprisingly difficult to notice gradual weight gain when you see your horse every day. That’s why looking alone isn’t enough.

👉 Feel, don’t just look.

Regularly feel the neck and crest, behind the shoulders, ribs, back and hindquarters. Use a weight tape, take consistent photos and keep a record so you can spot changes before they become significant.

And remember, weight changes can affect saddle fit too.

A horse gaining or losing condition can change considerably through the ribcage, back, withers and shoulders — which can alter how their saddle sits.

So use the condition score in the image and give your horse an honest assessment.

No excuses. No “he’s just big-boned.” 😆

Just feel, assess and monitor. ❤️🐴

SaddleFitting SGSaddles

🐴 Be honest… what condition is your horse REALLY in?

One of the most important things we can do for our horses is to regularly assess their shape and body condition — and be honest with ourselves about what we find.

And believe me, as a saddle fitter, I hear every excuse on the planet when a horse is carrying a few too many pounds… 😂

🌱 “He’s just gone into a new field.”
🌾 “He gets nothing to eat, what more can I do”
🏜️ “There’s no grass in there.”
😤 “He gets angry if I don’t feed him.”
🚪 “He escaped last night…”
🎈 “He’s just bloated.”
☀️ “It’s been too hot to ride.”

Okay… I might let you off with the last one! 😂

But the reality is, our horses don’t know they’re overweight — it’s our responsibility to recognise it.

It can also be surprisingly difficult to notice gradual weight gain when you see your horse every day. That’s why looking alone isn’t enough.

👉 Feel, don’t just look.

Regularly feel the neck and crest, behind the shoulders, ribs, back and hindquarters. Use a weight tape, take consistent photos and keep a record so you can spot changes before they become significant.

And remember, weight changes can affect saddle fit too.

A horse gaining or losing condition can change considerably through the ribcage, back, withers and shoulders — which can alter how their saddle sits.

So use the condition score in the image and give your horse an honest assessment.

No excuses. No “he’s just big-boned.” 😆

Just feel, assess and monitor. ❤️🐴

🐴 Booking an Appointment with SG Saddles

Whether you’re looking for a routine saddle check, a new saddle or expert fitting advice, booking is simple.

🆕 New Customers

If this is your first appointment with SG Saddles, please complete my New Customer Booking Form via my website.

This gives me all the information I need about you, your horse and your current saddle before arranging your appointment, helping me prepare for your visit and bring the most appropriate equipment.

📝 Complete the booking form here:
https://sgsaddles.co.uk/contactus/

✅ Existing Customers

If you’ve booked with me before, there’s no need to complete the form again.

You can simply:
📱 Message through the Equigate App
📞 Call or text the mobile - 07871 927007
📧 Email - [email protected]

We will then arrange your appointment with you.

💚 Please note: Once an appointment has been arranged, an invoice will be sent. Your appointment is confirmed once payment has been received.

I look forward to helping you and your horse stay comfortable, happy and performing at your best. 🐴💚