SADDLERY & TACK
SADDLING UP:
THE FACTS A saddle 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. 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
60
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
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. 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
