Society of Master Saddlers

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.

"As the most influential professional body in the world connected with saddlery, the Society has put enormous effort into improving saddle fitting standards including instituting what remains the only Non-Commercially linked Saddle Fitting Qualification in the World. The qualification has been approved by City & Guilds / NPTC, a UK qualification awarding body, and is recognised by equine vets and physiotherapists and other professionals working in the equestrian industry. The Society is proud of its reputation for expertise, high standards and integrity."

As a Qualified Saddle Fitter through the Society of Master Saddlers, U.K. , I have been an Independent Saddle Fitter for over seven years; studying directly with the Society of Master Saddlers for the past five years. 

Being an Approved Retailer for the Society of Masters Saddlers, U.K. allows the Shop to be registered Sellers for Baines, Black Country, Fairfax and thier lines of  Kent & Maters, Thorowgood  & Lovatt & Ricketts. I am also the Connecticut and New York Representative for Amerigo Saddles. I have been associated with the Bates/Wintec lines for over 7 years.

These resources provide a selection for widely varying conformations and Rider preferences.

Our Saddle Fitting service begins with obtaining detailed history, establishing baselines of weight & condition, assessment of conformation, high/low heel, shoulder/ hip asymmetries; undertake back examinations and locate asymmetric development or sensitive or sore areas; evaluating of in-hand movement, identify un-level steps and  hip rotations. Viewing the movie banner on our front page, are you able to detect any asymmetries?

Either your saddle or samples provided, client will be under saddle, walk, trot, canter  as well as jump, if authorized, for both reins. Static tracings will be taken.

.  

The Pros and Cons of Pre-Owned Saddles

The first hard rules of Saddle Fitting are the correct curvature of the saddle tree and the panel configurations matching the outline of the horse's current back condition. Each horse is unique and should be treated as a single entity.

In consideration that the head plate and tree itself is sound, other factors must be taken into account prior to using and investing in a Pre-owned saddle.  

Over time, the Pre-owned saddle will take the shape of it's mount and subsequent asymmetries. You must have an understanding of the correct balance and length of tree points; use of  the pommel to mount, may lead to the tree points being torqued thus setting them unleveled and unbalanced. You may be placing a "crooked" tree on your horse. Without proper recording of prior tree work, you will be unaware if the tree has been widened or narrowed in the past.  The head of the tree should only be adjusted one width +/- for the life of the tree. Use of inferior adjustment machines by novice hands may set the tree points at unleveled angles. Head adjustments are a very serious modification and should be done by a Qualified Saddler only. 

The symmetry and balance of the stirrup bars must be examined. Any unevenness will cause Rider Influence to become skewed. A crooked Rider may create a crooked Horse. If the bars are uneven, the original placement must be evaluated,  as well as resetting to plumb.

We have learned that  design flaws from older practices actually damage the horses back and impede muscle recriutment. A glaring example is the width placement of the panel whereas insufficient room within the gullet channel and at the back of cantle pinches at the spine and increases pressure onto the ligament and muscle structures flowing from dock to poll. There should be clearance on the top and sides of the spinous processes. Ideally, one would look for a minimum of two inch spread between the panels. Too wide of a channel will give insufficient bearing surface provided for the horse.

Saddles are man-made products, using leather and thread. They do have a shelf life. 

The prior treatment and conditioning of the leather may have broken down the integrity of the leather. Panels that are cracked or torn are highly unsuitable. If flocked, understand that the tensile strength of the fibers may be deteriorated. The materials used for flocking must be evaluated. Older saddles may have carpet fibers, or poorly constructed synthetic medium which will actually hold heat and ball, creating triggers points that will affect the bearing surface area of the horse's back. If foam is used, that too will degrade with time, elements and use of conditioners that become absorbed into the medium, adding weight and instabilty.

Within the last decades, Saddle Makers are taking into consideration of the advances from Medical Technology  and Biomechanics. By applying these variables, British Saddle Makers, and other renown  Saddle Makers now craft an Anatomically Correct Saddle.

The British Standard (BS6635) of design and calibrations is one of the many examples of the Accountability the Society of Master Saddlers brings to the Trade. In new saddles, from the manufacturing of the tree, to number of rivets used, to the symmetry of the finished product is under scrutiny. Revised in 2015 to upgrade the quality of materials used and workmanship governed , the British Standard (BS6635/2015)  creates a well balanced, level , finely crafted Saddle. 

Please do not be swayed by "Price" or "Convenience".  Allow your choices for correctly fitting equipment be dictated by   knowledge, skill and expertise.

.