Saddler and back person - Essex

Twiglet

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 September 2004
Messages
8,368
Location
Clapham
Visit site
Any recommendations on a decent back person in Essex? Have had someone called Sue recommended, but no idea of her surname or contact details
confused.gif


Also, a decent saddler?? Need someone to fix the balls up another saddler has made of my lovely saddle (and as a result, possibly Twiglet's back too
mad.gif
)
It's for a Barnsby, so preferably someone who works with them (and no-one named TOM
mad.gif
).
Anthony Batchelor won't take on new clients if they don't want to buy a saddle, and not been a fan of Ingatestone fittings in the past.
 
again where in essex?? i have anthony to do my saddles but my friend uses malcolm at west essex saddlery which is based in clavering. back lady i used was stephanie appleton-excellent but has quite a waiting list-pm me if you want more details
 
Twiglet if the first letter of the surname is T then 'barge pole' springs to mind. (back person)

Only person I recommend is Chris Caden-Parker. She is very good in my opinion and experience.

ETA: oh gosh *faints at the thought of SA touching her horse*
tongue.gif
 
Back person - recommend Annabel Jenks in Old Harlow, she is a registered Osteopath - 01279 435195, does humans and horses.
Saddles - David Merrick at Kiln is good.
 
Thanks for replies all.

Am in Brentwood, so think Kiln or Priory would be a bit far?
Had Malcolm in the past and wasn't overly impressed to be honest.

Don't know the surname of the Sue person - even the first letter!

Ilfield - PM me about SA??
 
Think the back person is Sue Howard and agree with Ifield as to saddle person, Kiln are not qualified to fit and stuff saddles only sell.

Totally recommend Chris Caden-Parker she has a website and spends at least one day a week in Essex and treats a lot of top class horses.
 
It's all so confusing!

Just spent 15 minutes on phone to Annabel Jenks (as this is who works with my vet, and who my instructor recommends) and whilst I think she sounds fantastic, she also uses the saddler that I believe has caused this issue, and thinks I should be back in touch with him. Am not in agreement!

I thought Sue Howard is a dressage judge?! Are they one and the same?

Have heard mixed reports on C C-P too....is so confusing.
 
Twiglet have PM'ed you, hope your sitting comfortably!

I have to say I've never heard a bad word about Chris - perhaps I haven't been asking the right people. However when the likes of Sharon Hunt and (I think I'm right in saying) the household cavalry put their trust in her then it's good enough for me. (Don't quote me on the HC though)
 
It is confusing - I personally use saddler called Tom (
wink.gif
) but have had no problems and have plenty of recommendations.

Frogpool will come out and check saddles so perhaps you could try them?

I recommend Chris Caden-Parker, I used to have her but found her difficult to get hold of with my working hours so now use Jemma Hill (she is also studying to do humans and sports i.e. tendons,liagments etc therapy). She is really good and even fixed B's shoulder when he pulled a muscle in it
 
Thanks for the replies all.

OK, am going to try and call C C-P in that case. It's a good friend of mine that put me off her, but don't know specifics of the experience. Is she a physio then?
 
I use Chris C-P for George's back and most of my yard use her, I have always been very impressed with her, and she sorted George out when he was sore.

David M from Kiln saddlery was happy to come out to Brentwood to check the fitting of George's saddle after it was mucked up by someone called Tom?? I was happy with him and he seemed very knowledgable, but I have since discovered that he isn't a qualified saddle fitter so don't know if I should avoid him - arrghh it is all so confusing.
 
I cannot recommend Chrissie Rhodes-Dennis highly enough. She doesn't just 'do' back she does the whole horse. She has sorted out SO many issues with Josie, she has litterally changed her around.

I'd had all the usual back people out whod each told me seperate things. I was so confused.

The first time she visited she was there 3.5 hours!!!! And only charged me standard rate. It turns out everything was coming from Josie's poll.

She is also an amazing instructor and she schools J for me!

The woman is a marvel. PM me if you'd like her details she's based in Harold Wood x
 
Thanks for the replies all - will await PMs where applicable
wink.gif


How's Josie, Wasjosiejo?
Thanks for the reply, wouldn't use Chrissie though - had her as an instructor years ago, really not a fan
frown.gif


It's so difficult to know what to do when what works brilliantly for someone is so denounced by someone else!! Typical of horseworld I suppose....
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the replies all - will await PMs where applicable
wink.gif


How's Josie, Wasjosiejo?
Thanks for the reply, wouldn't use Chrissie though - had her as an instructor years ago, really not a fan
frown.gif


It's so difficult to know what to do when what works brilliantly for someone is so denounced by someone else!! Typical of horseworld I suppose....

[/ QUOTE ]

Josie isn't too bad at all thankyou. Getting there slwoly, or quickly in terms of her bucking and leaping in hand!!!

Maybe Chrissie is like Marmite? lol
grin.gif
 
I have use Annabel Jenks for years she is excellent, also she rides herself to a high level and has a good eye from the ground.

I use Malan Goddard for saddle however she doesn't sell just fits.

Loads of my clients use Tom and no one has ever had a bad word for him, have you told him the saddle he fitted has caused problems and given him a chance to put it right, I think that is what Annabel is saying.

Dont take this the wrong way as I am only trying to help but have you checked you are sitting straight and putting even weight over his back. I had the saddler back several times because my saddle kept slipping to the right but I then had a session on the medicine ball and that kept going to the right as well so realised it was me and not the saddle, after a lot of physio on me my saddle now stays in the middle and horses back better for it.
 
I use Stephanie Appleton and for Cropi's back and think that she is fantastic, can't recommend her highly enough....tough to get hold of but is worth the hassle.

I've used Diane King in the past and she is a nice lady but didn't do much for my mare....saying that my friend swears by her, I would not recommend her though on my experience.

I use David Smith from Priory for my saddle fitting, great bloke and never had a problem with fitting. I would be surprised if David Merritt was not qualified to fit saddles
shocked.gif


Stephanies husband owns an equine vet in Chelmsford and she does a clinic there which would be close to you
 
Think you probably have enough info now but since Sue Tracy has been mentioned thought I would say how fabulous she is. She looks at the whole situation and has a wealth of knowledge and was an intermediate instructor before doing backs.
I use David Merret for saddle fitting and my horse has always been happy. So although he may not be qualified he is very good. Qualifications do not always mean you are getting the best!
 
Top