The Interview

Q. How long have you worked as a Saddle Fitting Consultant?

A. I began working with saddles in the 1980’s, before pursuing it as a full time career in the early 1990’s.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your work?

A. Without a doubt it is seeing the wonderful changes that can happen for the horses, seeing them recover from soreness and muscle wastage in their bodies, watching the physical problems begin to repair, their movement improve and, even better than that, the changes that occur on an emotional level when they no longer have to endure the frequent discomfort that regularly accompanies being ridden in an uncomfortable saddle.

It is also really exciting to follow the progress of horses that have always been ridden using the Saddling System, that have been started in the saddles as youngsters and go on to develop the most wonderful backs.

 Q. What is the hardest part of your work?

A. I never cease to be amazed by so many saddles that I see fitted to horses. Even after all this time it still shocks and upsets me. It is so sad that the horses have had to endure wearing them, even more so knowing that the owners have always tried to do the very best for their horses.

 Q. What is the commonest problem that you come across?

A. Although I am asked to see horses for all sorts of reasons, still, in 99% of cases, the horses are being ridden in saddles that are too narrow in the tree and bear no resemblance to the profile of a healthy back. In my experience this is true of nearly all horses regardless of their shapes and sizes and is equally true of those with broad flat backs as well as those with narrow frames or with muscle wastage.

 Q. How do you deal with the fact that for every horse you help, there are so many others continually being fitted in saddles that are damaging to them?

A. I realised a long time ago that the only way to cope with it was not to be judgemental, but to try and accept that saddles are not intentionally designed poorly, or fitted badly. That no one would set out to make a horse uncomfortable on purpose and that hopefully it is down to a lack of knowledge and understanding. It is only inexcusable if someone is aware of the problem and still does nothing.

 Q. What improvements would you like to see in other saddles?                      

A. Although there have been some significant improvements over the last few years, if I could change one thing only, it would be to have many conventional tree widths discontinued and for every saddle maker to produce his or her saddles on trees that reflect the shape of a normal healthy back.

 Q. Is there a “best” approach to saddle fitting?

A. I believe that the way I fit offers horses optimum comfort and freedom to move, as nature intended. Comfort for the rider, too. But I do realise that there are, and probably always will be, differing views on how best to fit a saddle. If someone is unsure then I would always suggest that they explore a variety of choices. If they pay attention, observe their horse’s reactions, and then trust their own instincts, they will stand a better chance of finding what best suits them and their horse.

 Q. What does a normal working day entail for you?

A. Variety! However, if I have horses to visit then I usually have an early start. It’s quite normal to have to drive between one and three hours to a first appointment and I may see between two and five horses in one day. It can often mean a late return home or overnight stops away.

 Q. It seems you do a lot of driving, but how far do you actually travel?

A. I have clients as far north as Co. Durham and as far south as Cornwall.

 Q. Do you visit horses every day?

A. No, I couldn’t possibly as apart from the driving it is often quite draining on an emotional level when first seeing horses with problems. I organise my trips so as best to combine new consultations with follow-up visits/assessments for existing clients in that area. Plus, there is quite a lot of administration involved.

 Q. Regarding consultation, why do you choose to work the way that you do?

A. Over the years it has proved really helpful for owners who want to understand more about saddle design and fitting. It gives them the opportunity to try a range of saddles designed with the horse’s comfort and well-being in mind, and fitted in a way that allows for the dynamic movement of the horse. The rider has a chance to experience the differences that can occur with this approach. Owners are often genuinely interested in getting to the bottom of any problems they are having with their horse, and as I am interested in looking at the horse as a whole it is not unusual for me to suggest input from other therapists that may be able to help the owner. Even though poor saddling could have initially caused the problems, it is not unusual for there to be more issues involved by the time I am first contacted. First consultations usually last between two and three hours.

Q. Why do you do follow-up visits as well? Are they compulsory?

A. No, not compulsory, but it is a service that I offer. It can be beneficial for a number of reasons. If the horse is undergoing changes then the owner may prefer to have further advice on how best to use their saddle, they may need to alter the pads under the saddle to maintain optimum fit and comfort.

If they have lost confidence in saddles because of previous bad experiences, it can be very reassuring to know that they can call on someone for advice and to know that an established support service is in place

One of the things that I most value is the relationship that I have with my clients, many of whom I now count as friends. It is always lovely to go back and see how things have improved for them and their horses over the weeks and months, and to keep in touch for what in many cases becomes years! 

Q. So what is a typical week for you?

A. Well, I try to keep Monday as an office day. That way I can deal with anything that has come in over the weekend, too. There is a surprising amount of admin to keep up with and always lots of calls and e-mails needing a response.

From Tuesday to Friday it depends on what appointments are in my diary. If I have a long day on the Tuesday I will try and have a later start Wednesday. Basically, I try to alternate to allow for some time each day in my office

Q. Given your typical week, how much time do you manage to spend with your own horses?

A. Never as much as I would like! Obviously I have to tend to them each day which, in the winter, if I have appointments in the morning, often means a 6.30 a.m. start.

I am lucky enough to have a very understanding husband who will often fetch them in at night if he can, otherwise it can mean me trekking across a very dark field at some late hour! This never impresses the horses, especially if the weather is bad and they expect to be in the shelter of their yard by the time it gets dark.

Sadly Emblem is now semi-retired and Sequoia has some health issues, so riding is minimal. I would love to have another horse at some stage, when the time is right

I do try to spend more time with my horses and family on precious weekends, and of course in the summer there are some evenings too. Like most of us, given the chance I can easily whittle away hours pottering around with them even if we’re not riding!