Beatrice5
Well-Known Member
Well after waiting what seemed like a very long time today we had our saddle fit...............
I can honestly say it was a life changing event.
My mare has had a rough start, we have scaring from previously broken ribs, touch and contact issues and therefore she is very hollow and tense to ride we manage but it has taken a long time to get to just hacking .
Today we tried her in a Semi Flex for the first time and she was a different horse. The saddle fitter Graham spent a long time assessing her conformation, her movement then adjusted the saddle to fit her firstly. Then watching me ride and how the saddle fitted me then adjusted it accordingly so the end result was a saddle that fitted us both and put me in the correct position.
WOW WOW WOW was my first response. She relaxed immediately I got in the saddle, her back felt soft, my position was naturally correct and she even gave a contact and dropped her head immediately into a much better position whilst her legs tracked up beautifully even on her dodgy trot diagonal there was a huge improvement. I could feel so much more of her movement it was like sitting on a different ( much nicer ) horse.
The Semi Flex as the name suggests has a flexible tree that allows far more movement than a conventional spring tree. Mine has serge half panels again to allow more movement and better contact and feel from the leg. The seat is deep and very comfortable and the head is cut back to allow for her high wither. The saddle is exceptionally well balance to the point that as my mare blows out horrendously when girthed and whilst riding her round I didn't check my girth in my excitement at the new horse I was now riding, when I did check it you could have driven a bus through there. The saddle hadn't budged or felt unsteady and we had been trotting circles, leg yeilding ( which she doesn't normally do due to stiffness) and changing the rein another OMG moment . Also after my riding in field incident the other week where she threatened to deck me I was a little apprehensive...... I needn't have worried she seemed very happy in her new saddle and no cow bag moments to report
These amazing guys traveled all the way from Walsall to see my horses and were so considerate and careful in how they handled my ultra sensitive mare, cheeky pony and unbacked 3 yr old. The quality of workmanship is like no other and I would urge other riders who truly care about their horses to spend the time and money getting the right saddle for their horse. From my experience today I would not let anyone else attend to my horses saddlery needs.
If you want more info please feel free to PM me . I am not connect with these guys in anyway ( today was the first time I have met them )and after reading much about them I wanted the best for my dear little mare but I am keen to make others aware of what an amazing job they do as if we don't support truly talented people like these we will loose them. Barrie Swaine and his saddlery team can be contacted on 01922 646468
I can honestly say it was a life changing event.
My mare has had a rough start, we have scaring from previously broken ribs, touch and contact issues and therefore she is very hollow and tense to ride we manage but it has taken a long time to get to just hacking .
Today we tried her in a Semi Flex for the first time and she was a different horse. The saddle fitter Graham spent a long time assessing her conformation, her movement then adjusted the saddle to fit her firstly. Then watching me ride and how the saddle fitted me then adjusted it accordingly so the end result was a saddle that fitted us both and put me in the correct position.
WOW WOW WOW was my first response. She relaxed immediately I got in the saddle, her back felt soft, my position was naturally correct and she even gave a contact and dropped her head immediately into a much better position whilst her legs tracked up beautifully even on her dodgy trot diagonal there was a huge improvement. I could feel so much more of her movement it was like sitting on a different ( much nicer ) horse.
The Semi Flex as the name suggests has a flexible tree that allows far more movement than a conventional spring tree. Mine has serge half panels again to allow more movement and better contact and feel from the leg. The seat is deep and very comfortable and the head is cut back to allow for her high wither. The saddle is exceptionally well balance to the point that as my mare blows out horrendously when girthed and whilst riding her round I didn't check my girth in my excitement at the new horse I was now riding, when I did check it you could have driven a bus through there. The saddle hadn't budged or felt unsteady and we had been trotting circles, leg yeilding ( which she doesn't normally do due to stiffness) and changing the rein another OMG moment . Also after my riding in field incident the other week where she threatened to deck me I was a little apprehensive...... I needn't have worried she seemed very happy in her new saddle and no cow bag moments to report
These amazing guys traveled all the way from Walsall to see my horses and were so considerate and careful in how they handled my ultra sensitive mare, cheeky pony and unbacked 3 yr old. The quality of workmanship is like no other and I would urge other riders who truly care about their horses to spend the time and money getting the right saddle for their horse. From my experience today I would not let anyone else attend to my horses saddlery needs.
If you want more info please feel free to PM me . I am not connect with these guys in anyway ( today was the first time I have met them )and after reading much about them I wanted the best for my dear little mare but I am keen to make others aware of what an amazing job they do as if we don't support truly talented people like these we will loose them. Barrie Swaine and his saddlery team can be contacted on 01922 646468
