Chine Equine Saddle & Bridle Fitting Services

08/06/2026

It’s been a super busy weekend with lots of saddle checks and a few new saddle fittings 🐴🧰.

As part of my routine checks, I always assess the soundness of the saddle tree — listening and feeling for excessive bending or any creaking noises when compressing the front of the saddle or pulling on the cantle 🔍.

Unfortunately, I came across three saddles with tree issues this weekend. The video below shows one of them: an Ideal saddle bending far more than it should, with visible creases forming through the middle of the seat. Saddle trees are designed to be sturdy and should never flex like this. When a saddle bends during a simple safety check, it usually indicates that the tree rails are broken. While we can’t be 100% certain without taking the saddle apart, this level of movement is a strong sign that the tree is compromised ⚠️.

Another saddle showed bending on just one side, suggesting a possible break in a single tree rail. And finally, I inspected a saddle with adjustable gullet bars and found that one of the tree points — where the gullet attaches — was broken. This type of tree head damage is something I see more often in older saddles 🛠️.

If you’re buying a saddle privately, please always have it checked by a professional saddle fitter. Avoid any saddle that creaks, bends excessively, or shows signs of structural damage. A damaged tree makes the saddle unsafe to use — for both horse and rider 🚫🐎.

If you’d like your saddle checked, I’m now taking bookings for July 📅✨.

04/06/2026

📣 Exciting Announcement!

I’m delighted to share some fantastic news — I will shortly be stocking GFS Monarch saddles https://gfssaddles.com/ as part of my expanding saddle range! 🐎✨

I’m seeing more and more clients asking for combined saddle and bridle fittings, with many clients looking for new saddles or improved fits that enhance comfort, balance, and overall performance. This growing need has enabled me to broaden the selection of saddles I bring to appointments — ensuring every horse and rider partnership receives the most suitable and effective setup. 🤝💼

🪶 My updated fitting range will now include:
• GP, Dressage, and Jump saddles
• Across the full collections of Wintec, Arena, Bates, and GFS Monarch 🐴💫
• A choice of wool flocked and CAIR panel saddles to suit
different horses, preferences, and performance goals 🐴💫

This expanded range allows me to offer even more tailored solutions — whether you’re aiming for improved symmetry, greater comfort, or maximising your horse’s athletic potential.

🔍 Looking for something else? I will continue sourcing additional saddles through trusted platforms such as The Saddle Bank and Saddles Direct, ensuring I can accommodate all needs, preferences, and price ranges. 💷✔️

Discover GFS Saddles UK — premium saddles, bridles, and riding equipment trusted by riders worldwide. Explore the Monarch, Premier and Transition ranges, designed for comfort, performance and style.

01/06/2026

📣 Final June saddle‑fitting slots now open

I’ve just released my last two June appointments:

25 June — after 4pm

27 June — morning

If your horse’s comfort has been on your mind, now’s the moment to get booked in.

I offer:
• Saddle + bridle fit checks
• On‑site adjustments
• New + second‑hand saddle fittings
• Custom‑fit bridles

🔧 Adjustments available:
• On‑site flocking
• Full reflocks
• Gullet changes
• Balance + saddle‑slip corrections

📍 Covering Bristol, Bath & South Gloucestershire, with yard‑clinic travel available.

If you’ve noticed changes in your horse’s way of going, behaviour, or saddle balance, send me a message and I’ll get you into one of the final June slots ✨

26/05/2026

I’m so glad I made the decision two years ago to train and qualify as both a bridle and saddle fitter 💛

Being able to assess a horse holistically is exactly what good tack solutions are all about. A horse is a beautifully connected whole — with two major muscle and fascia chains linking everything from the mouth to the core (Flexor Chain) and from the poll to the hindquarters (Extensor Chain). These systems work together to create balanced, comfortable movement 🐎✨

When one area is restricted, the horse often compensates elsewhere, which can lead to discomfort or even pain. If you want a great quick overview of how a horse’s muscles work, I highly recommend this blog by Horses Inside Out:
🔗 https://www.horsesinsideout.com/post/the-action-of-muscles?srsltid=AfmBOopBXKXR8rUVCz9VvlSc2_246S33ebizPcf_-ilTCVdiw0DHzgR5

For me, fitting is about seeing the whole picture — how the bridle and saddle interact, and how they influence the horse’s biomechanics. When I meet a horse for a saddle fitting, I always check the bridle too. Sometimes small tweaks make a big difference.

Recently, I saw a horse who yawned repeatedly as the bridle went on — a subtle but important sign of discomfort or learned aversion. Under saddle, he opened his mouth excessively as well. In this case, I recommended trying alternative mouthpieces to improve comfort and relaxation 💬🧩

If you’d like a saddle fitter who is also a qualified bridle fitter — someone who can assess your horse’s tack as a complete system — feel free to get in touch to arrange a fitting 📩🐴

20/05/2026

What a difference a well fitting saddle can make 🐴✨

I had one of those moments yesterday that remind me why I love saddle fitting. I revisited a client for her 3 month check, and the transformation in her gelding was so heartwarming to see.

Back in February, his old saddle was far too narrow—high in front, pressure at the cantle, and contributing to tension flagged by his physio. We moved him first into an Arena GP and later into a Bates AP for extra rider stability.

Three months on, his templates show topline development 💪 The “pockets” behind the withers have started to fill in and he’s now much more even, especially around T18.

A well fitting saddle gives a horse the freedom to build correct muscle—but the rider’s dedication turns that potential into reality. And this can take time. Huge credit to this owner for the consistent work and lessons 👏💛

13/05/2026

Why every fitting should include a back assessment & gait analysis 🐴🔍

Before I even think about putting a saddle on, I start with a thorough assessment of the horse. This includes discussing recent medical history, evaluating condition and conformation, and marking key anatomical points such as shoulder rotation and T18. These checks help me identify factors that influence saddle stability and fit, including:

- Symmetry of the shoulders
- Shoulder rotation beyond the typical 2’’
- Whether the horse is croup‑high
- Forward or backward girth groove
- Space between shoulder and T18 for appropriate seat size

Accurate templates are another essential step. They provide a clear record of the horse’s shape on the day and, when repeated every 3–6 months, highlight changes or asymmetries that may affect saddle fit.

Crucially, even at quick follow‑up appointments, a quick back assessment and gait analysis are non‑negotiable. I gently palpate the neck, back, spine and girth area — not as a physio or vet, but as a welfare check for heat, swelling, tension or discomfort. If a horse shows a significant pain response, I stop immediately and refer to the appropriate professional.

Watching the horse walk and trot in a straight line also gives valuable insight into movement, symmetry, and any signs of discomfort or lameness. Some asymmetry can be normal, but understanding it helps me fine‑tune saddle fit safely and effectively.

Ultimately, these checks ensure the horse is comfortable enough to proceed with a fitting. If something doesn’t look right, I will always pause and recommend veterinary or physiotherapy input. A rescheduled appointment is far better than compromising a horse’s wellbeing 💛

11/05/2026

📣 June fittings now open!

May is completely booked, and with the mix of rain and sunshine lately, the grass is booming — which means many horses are changing shape quickly 🐎🌱

I offer saddle and bridle fit checks, on‑site adjustments, new saddle fittings, and custom‑fit new bridles ✨

Whether you need a quick check, a tweak, or a full refit, I can support a wide range of budgets with new and second‑hand saddles.

🔧 Saddle adjustments include:
• On‑site flocking adjustments
• Full reflocks
• Gullet changes and addressing saddle slip/balance issus

📍 I mainly cover Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire, but I’m always happy to travel further afield for yard clinics 🚗💛

If you think your tack might need a check, pop me a message to book your June slot ✨

09/05/2026

Why a ridden assessment is absolutely essential during a saddle fitting 🐴✨

A saddle can look perfect in a static assessment. We check things like:
- Correct length (never past the last rib)
- Saddle Width
- Tree point position vs. shoulder
- Panel contact and shape
- Wither and spinal clearance
- Stability
- Girth strap alignment
- Overall balance

…but that doesn’t guarantee it will work once the rider is on and the horse is moving.

A lunge assessment can show shoulder freedom and basic stability, but it still doesn’t give the full picture. Only with the rider on and moving with the horse can we truly see how the saddle behaves under real pressure and movement.

💡 What a ridden assessment reveals:
- Whether clearance and balance remain correct once rider weight is added
- If extra flocking or shims are needed for lift, balance or stability
- Whether further width adjustments are required
- Saddle lift at trot — often a sign of incorrect tree shape, width, or length issues
- Forward/backward movement or saddle slipping sideways that only appears in trot or canter
- How the horse actually feels about the saddle when ridden
- Rider position and comfort in saddle

A static-only assessment is acceptable only if the horse is unridden, unbacked, or the usual rider isn’t available.
👉 But a follow‑up ridden assessment is essential, because without it, the evaluation is incomplete.

Your horse’s comfort — and your balance, stability, and effectiveness — depend on seeing the whole picture 🧡🐴

06/05/2026

Want to take your competitive showjumping to the next level? Give the brand new Bates Apex saddle a try 🏇