16 minute read
Saddlery & Tack including reader questions answered
SADDLING UP: THE FACTS
Asaddle is without a doubt the most important purchase for your horse. It is a well known fact that a horse needs a correctly fitted saddle to perform to the best of its ability, but is this idea really implemented fully. A badly fitted saddle can do a lot of damage, leading to behaviour problems or even lameness.
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The huge influence the saddle has in relation to equine welfare, rider comfort and the production of optimum performance is being increasingly recognised by equine vets and physiotherapists, trainers, instructors and horse owners. The Society of Master Saddlers (UK) Ltd was formed in 1966 to serve as a Trade Association for the craft retail saddler, but has since embraced all aspects of the Trade. The Society's aims are to safeguard the quality of work, services, training and qualifications of all those who work in the saddlery trade from manufacturers and retailers through individual craftspeople and saddle fitters. For horse owners The Society of Master Saddlers acts as a standard that you should expect your saddle fitter to be a part of. Having a Society of Master Saddles Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter guarantees that they are fully qualified, professional and have a minimum of three years’ experience. Before the Society of Master Saddlers launched its saddle fitting qualification, there was very little formalised training available. Coinciding with the introduction of the saddle fitting qualification, the SMS began an extensive programme providing information and advice about the importance of a correctly fitting saddle in relation to safety, wellbeing and performance. It is a fact that today’s horse owners are far more knowledgeable than their counterparts of even a few years back. In the last couple of decades, saddle fitting has become more and more complicated. Firstly, whereas in the past most countries were largely reliant on indigenous breeds and types of horse, nowadays many breeds have become global. Consequently, today’s saddle fitters need a far more comprehensive knowledge of the conformation of different breeds. Secondly, there are more saddle designs on the market than ever before. Innovations continue to enter the market and ranges of specialist saddles are constantly increasing. The product knowledge demanded of today’s saddle fitters is far greater and more comprehensive than their counterparts of twenty - even ten - years ago. And of course, saddle fitters must have a good understanding of the demands of the individual disciplines and sports and the regulations applicable to the use of tack. SMS saddle fitters take pride in the help, information and advice they provide. Although every endeavour is made to accommodate the rider, the first priority is to provide a saddle that affords a good fit for the horse. Saddle Checks Horses change considerably over time. A horse’s ‘shape’ is very dependent on the horse owner’s management. A horse can change shape for
IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK TO THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLES TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WORK THEY CARRY OUT, HOW SADDLES HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS AND THE REAL IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A CORRECTLY FITTED SADDLE.
many reasons. Maybe he is enjoying a break from work turned out in a field with lots of grass. Possibly, the competition season is well under way, and he is leaner and more muscled than he was at the beginning of the season. Maybe he is a young horse and he is going through a period of rapid growth and development. Maybe his owner, school over for the summer, has vastly increased his exercise and schooling programme. Or perhaps he has lost condition over winter. It’s surprising how many owners notice a rug getting tighter but the fact that the saddle no longer fits well completely escapes them. This is why it is very important to get saddles checked regularly. Saddle fitting checks are an important part of horse care. Yes, they cost money. And yes, occasionally the saddle fitter may need to return quite quickly because the horse has changed shape so rapidly. This isn’t an unnecessary expense it is vital to make sure your horse is comfortable. A saddle that is too narrow and is pinching and exerting other unwanted pressure - or too wide and pressing down and restricting the horse’s ability to use himself correctly - can result in welfare, veterinary, behavioural and performance problems. Overcoming the resulting problems could be expensive in terms of veterinary, schooling and other professional services. Meanwhile the horse has suffered totally unnecessarily. Recognise that changes in exercise and feed regimes have the potential to alter the horse’s shape. Try to stick to the principle one saddle should fit one horse and remember a saddle adopts the contours of the horse, if placed on a different horse, it could be very uncomfortable. When a saddle suffers an accident or when the horse suffers a fall whilst being ridden the saddle should be examined by a Master or Qualified Saddler. Internal damage such as a broken tree can be difficult to spot and, not rectified, it may result in complicated veterinary problems. Use the services of a Society of Master Saddlers’ registered qualified saddle fitter to undertake fitting checks regularly. Always have a new saddle fitted and recognise that it is at least equally importance to have a second-hand saddle fitted. SMS saddle fitters have a comprehensive knowledge of saddle brands and designs. They are aware of the rules and regulations applicable to tack and equipment used in all the equestrian disciplines and sports, and offer advice and professional services.
www.mastersaddlers.co.uk
Your Questions Answered
IN THIS ISSUE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS’ QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER, HELEN READER, PROVIDES ADVICE ON THE CORRECT SEAT LENGTH FOR HORSE AND RIDER.
QUESTION: “How can I work out what
seat length will fit both me and my horse?”
ANSWER: “The maximum length of the seat is determined by the length of the horse’s rib cage. Find the last rib and then follow the natural curve up, the tree of the saddle must not pass this point. If the horse is short in the back, then the panel may go beyond this point, but never the tree. “When the rider is sitting in the saddle they need three to four fingers distance behind them. This is so that they are sitting in the deepest part of the seat and not putting all their weight on to the back of saddle. “Saddles with a flatter seat will allow more room for the rider, whereas a deep seat will feel more enclosed and may require a longer seat length for the rider.”
Your Own Design...
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CHRIS TAYLOR: All Things Leather
IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK TO BENCH SADDLER CHRIS TAYLOR ABOUT HIS PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY. CHRIS WAS PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS IN 2018 AND 2019.
Chris started his business in 1996 providing all the services you would expect to find at a saddlery workshop, from making bespoke items to a full repair and saddle fitting service.
He had worked in the saddlery trade for many years prior to the opening of Saddler’s Den, and is a Master Saddler, a member of the Society of Master Saddlers, and a published author, with his first book, ‘Leatherwork: a Practical Guide’ published in 2010. Although the core business is saddlery, Chris and his team will turn their hand to anything. Outside of saddlery they have customers ranging from interior designers to fashion suppliers. Said Chris: “Many of the items made for the fashion suppliers go to Japan. Saddler’s Den also run training courses in basic and advanced saddlery, bag making, saddle flocking and repair, and we also tailor courses to meet people’s needs.” From an early age Chris was always fascinated by how things worked, always getting into trouble for taking things apart and then not being able to put them back together again. On joining the Scouts he developed an interest in macramé and leatherwork. Chris didn’t have a particularly equestrian background until he acquired his own horse in his 30’s. He always did leatherwork as a hobby and once he got his own horse, Chris wanted to know more about equestrian items. Said Chris: “I am basically selftaught, buying items at auctions, taking them apart and then rebuilding them. I have always looked at items and thought ‘I can do that’ which has given me an extensive knowledge base and to date there is very little we cannot make. That’s not to say I know everything, the trade moves on and we are constantly learning.” The most unusual item Chris was ever commissioned to make was whilst working on the Kevin McCloud - Hut by the Beach series where they were tasked with getting a raft to float using only sheep skins as buoyancy. “I love the wide variety of items we constantly encounter but if I had to pick a subject as my favourite it would be restoration and archaeological reconstructions as I have a keen interest in history. In 2007 I spent a month in China with Cambridge University Archaeological department studying and reconstructing a 2800 year old saddle,” said Chris. Passing his skills on to the next generation of saddlers is extremely important to Chris who thoroughly enjoys teaching to ensure the trade survives. Chris explains what he feels are the highs and lows of being in the saddlery trade: “For many bench saddlers it’s not a job but a way of life, which fires a passion to produce quality wellmade items. No two days are the same and I can honestly say that since being in the trade I have never woken with the feeling of ‘Oh no I have to go to work’, I look forward to the challenges the day brings. “Unfortunately with the glut of imported items the skills of the bench saddler can sometimes be overlooked although the Society of Master Saddlers has been actively pushing these skills in recent years.” Chris has seen many changes in the industry over the years and feels that research has obviously contributed greatly to the comfort of the horse when it comes to making and designing items.
MISTAKES WE 3 MAKE WHEN CLEANING TACK
As we are on day 823734 of this latest lockdown, it’s been a very long time since I have been saddle fitting. So my days have been filled with YouTubing, leather repairing and excessive amounts of tack cleaning… and sometimes combining all three; when I’m feeling particularly adventurous.
So I thought I’d share with you the top three things people do wrong when cleaning their tack. 1. Oiling leather. I know, I know, oil used to be the Best Thing Ever for tack. If you’re ancient (like me), you’ll probably remember the times where we’d literally soak a new bridle in a bucket of oil for an entire day… and pull it out, dripping, amazed at how much softer it was. Because that’s what we all want, isn’t it? Soft leather? Well, no, not really. Some leather is designed to be strong and a little stiffer. Oil seeps deep into the leather fibres, and causes them to separate a bit, hence the softening. This weakens the leather, and it means the internal structure is compromised. Not good. It also sits on the stitching, which can rot it (especially if it is cotton based stitching) and cause safety issues. Plus… who wants their tack to be slimy? Not me! Moisturising your leather, like you would your skin, is important, but a good quality (solid) balm is a much better idea! 2. Using too much water. You don’t need much water at all. Water is not leather’s friend. As the water evaporates, it sucks out the leather’s natural moisture. So, ironically water DRIES out your tack. When you clean your tack, make sure you really squeeze every drop of water out of the sponge before you use it. And use hot water - because it helps cut through the greasemeaning you can use less product. Simply use a small amount of good quality saddle soap on your slightly-damp sponge and let the soap and elbow grease do the work. Yes, elbow grease. You heard me.
3. Using ‘Two-in-One’ products that end up leaving a residue on
your tack. Every now and then you need to CLEAN it with a solid soap, and then condition it with a good conditioner or balm. And keep those ‘Two-inOne’ products for that last minute show day panic.
www.peeweesaddlery.co.uk
BY POPPY WEBBER, QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER FOR THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS, COVERING CAMBRIDGESHIRE, LINCOLNSHIRE, NORFOLK AND SURROUNDING AREAS. SHE ALSO WRITES REGULAR ADVICE POSTS ON PEEWEE SADDLERY’S SOCIAL MEDIA.
Your Questions Answered...
IN THIS ISSUE FORMER SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS’ PRESIDENT, KAY HASTILOW PROVIDES ADVICE ON HOW TO FIT A SADDLE FOR A SHORT COUPLED HORSE.
QUESTION: “I am
looking at buying a horse who’s fairly short coupled, however I’ve got long legs so need a seat that could end up sitting beyond the rib cage. How could a saddler accommodate this if I were to buy him?”
ANSWER: “First of all remember that the horse dynamic (working) has more room for a saddle than the horse static so if a saddle that suits you appears just a little too long when the horse is standing and being fitted, try riding in it, having marked T18 with a dot or tape so that you can see if the saddle is still beyond or now within this area. I have seen up to 2” (5 cm) extra length in the saddle area in a working horse as opposed to that horse static
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so you might well find that you have enough room for the saddle that you would really like to ride in. “It is not difficult with a bespoke saddle to have a larger or more forward cut flap and panel (depending on the discipline that the saddle is for) made with a suitable seat size for your horse and this will accommodate your extra leg length. Possibly a tree with a wider, flatter seat can be used here as this will give you more room to sit in whilst keeping the length of the tree within bounds for your horse. An SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter can take measurements of you whilst you are sitting on a chair from hip to knee and knee to heel, possibly marking on a pattern exactly where you like your knee to sit. Knee and thigh blocks fastened with Velcro can also help as you can position them to suit your leg shape. “Short backs in the horse are a common problem for saddle fitters these days. Horse breeding has favoured a shorter back for some years as this is considered stronger but of course, all things in moderation - there has to be room for a rider to sit on the horse!”
Amartingale is a piece of tack which is usually used to control head carriage and act as an additional form of control. There are several different types of martingale which are used for varying reasons and are seen across several disciplines. In this feature we look at the different martingales and explain their design and uses.
The two most common types of martingale are standing and running. A standing martingale consists of a strap that attaches to the girth and runs between the horse’s front legs up to the back of the noseband. This runs through a neck strap which fastens around the neck and keeps the martingale close to the horse. This type of martingale should only be fitted to a cavesson noseband or similar and if correctly fitted, the main strap should be able to touch the throat lash when raised. It is not recommended that a standing martingale should be used for jumping as it may restrict the horse. The running martingale attaches to the girth and then passes through the horse’s front legs before splitting into two straps
Martingale
with a ring on the end which the reins pass through. Martingale stops, which can be either rubber or leather, should be used on the reins between the bit rings and the rings of the martingale to prevent the martingale straps from slipping forward and interfering with the bit. The running martingale prevents the horse from raising its head above a certain point as it applies additional pressure to the reins and consequently the bars of the mouth. If correctly fitted the ‘fork’ of the running martingale should slacken about an inch when the horse lowers it head and there should be a straight line running from the rider’s hands to the bit rings when the horse has his head in the correct position and the martingale is not acting on him. A running martingale is very popular for jumping disciplines as it gives the rider extra control without interfering unnecessarily with the horse. The Irish martingale is not like others, but rather a semi martingale. It is simply a short leather strap with a ring at either end which the reins pass through, quite close to the bit. It is not designed as a form of control but rather to prevent the reins coming over the horse’s head in a fall. They are most commonly used in European racing.
www.mastersaddlers.co.uk
MASTER SADDLER HELEN READER
NAMED IN INSPIRATIONAL ENTREPRENEUR LIST
Society of Master Saddlers’ Vice President, Helen Reader has been recognised for her contribution to the equine industry. Helen is passionate about her work and has been named as one of the UK’s 100 most inspirational entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s
Entrepreneur 2021 campaign. “Passing on the knowledge I have gained over many years and helping new people in the industry is fantastic and I get a lot back from supporting others.”
NORFOLK COAST RDA
19th/20th DECEMBER WAKEFIELD FARM, GUIST, NORFOLK
The Norfolk Coast Riding for the Disabled Group was given a wonderful boost to both morale and funds, amounting to over £1,200, just before Christmas.
Piggy March (nee French) leading Event Rider, winner of Badminton Horse Trials 2019 and Patron of Norfolk Coast RDA – generously donated her time and expertise to give a series of Jumping Clinics to over fifty riders of varying abilities and ages ranging from 7- 65, from all over Norfolk. Piggy worked nonstop over the two days instructing hourly sessions with three riders per session. The highly successful –socially distanced – event was efficiently organised by Polly Baker and held at the impressive Wakefield Farm Equestrian Centre, Foulsham curtsey of Neil, Jo and Tom. Norfolk Coast RDA, which started in January 2019 and meets on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, is based at the North Norfolk Riding Centre in Walsingham. Our enthusiastic riders come from Thornage Hall, the Holt Hub and individuals helped by a band of dedicated volunteers. Even during this difficult Covid time, Norfolk Coast RDA is able to continue to give help and support.
www.norfolkcoastrda.org
Claudia Davison with Piggy Vicky Cartwright with Piggy
Photos: www.mattpalgrave.co.uk
