Rider

Too many riders are in discomfort or even pain during or after riding. For some reason the equestrian world seems to think that we need to go through some kind of pain barrier to be qualified to ride well. I don’t agree, especially as its women who seem to get the brunt.

We lack basic knowledge about saddle fit and are often confused by all the different sources of advice on the internet, much of which conflicts, with many different “schools” of saddle fit. We fail to realise that if we are unbalanced in the saddle, wherever the fault lies, the horse will suffer – we need to be EASY to carry.

We also have to be the decision maker for the horse’s well being and as his advocate when working with professionals and this means continual learning. I always joke it takes at least 3 lifetimes to learn it “all”, but of course there is no “all” as we keep discovering new understandings!

My work is to always place the horse at the centre of everything, yet to bring the rider along too. To help them learn more about the role of the saddle, and their role in monitoring and maintaining the horse-saddler-rider equation. If you decide you’d like to work with me you’ll learn a ton – about yourself as a rider, as a horse owner, and about what your horse truly needs to maintain long term soundness. I will refer you to other professionals as appropriate – for instance most riders would benefit from a rider focused off horse exercise programme (usually not strenuous!) as well as ridden biomechanics sessions.

All fitting start with trying saddles off the horse, making it less of a strain on them, and enabling me to objectively assess you and how you respond to different saddles, how stable and functional you are.

All riders are strongly recommended to work both off and on the horse on their own symmetry and strength – be more balanced, fitter, stronger, more easily able to aid and less prone to injury as well as helping your horse carry you more easily.