Chine Equine Saddle & Bridle Fitting Services

18/09/2026

🌟 Becoming a SMART Saddle Fitter 🌟

I had the pleasure of attending the SMART Saddles Fitter Training Seminar earlier this week, where I explored their newest saddle innovations, delved into the full SMART saddle and accessory range, and took part in a brilliant SMART Saddle Fitting Masterclass with Dr Anne Bondi and the SMART HQ team. I even got to do some hands on fitting myself 🐴✨

Seeing the difference in each horse’s way of going when ridden in a SMART Saddle compared to a traditional tree saddle was incredible. Over just a 20 minute ridden assessment, horses visibly relaxed, moved more freely, and showed improved comfort and confidence. I was also impressed by the stability of the SMART saddles on horses where tree saddles had previously been shifting or causing issues 🔧💡

I’m genuinely excited to begin working with SMART Saddles as a recognised fitter. Having used a SMART saddle personally, I’ve experienced first hand their flexibility, adjustability, stability, and impressive impact absorption. They adapt beautifully to changes in a horse’s physique and empower riders to make thoughtful adjustments whenever needed 💪🐎

For riders who value style, stability, and horse comfort—whether in dressage, showjumping, or eventing—SMART Saddles offer an exceptional option. I can’t wait to help riders find their perfect match and support horses in feeling and moving their best ❤️🏇

11/09/2026

🐴 Quick 10 Second Saddle Fit Test

Regular saddle checks are a simple way to catch early issues and keep your horse comfortable and performing at their best. Try these 3 super quick checks:

1️⃣ Front & Side Panel Check: Run your hand under the front panel and along the side panels. 👉 If you feel pressure points, lumps, or uneven contact, your saddle may not be distributing weight correctly.

2️⃣ Balance Check: Step back and look at the overall balance of your saddle. 👉 If it sits too high or too low at the front, it’s a sign the fit may need adjusting.

3️⃣ Stability Check: Watch for any tipping forward, lifting at the back, or leaning to one side. 👉 These are clear indicators that your saddle isn’t sitting as it should.

✨ I offer full saddle assessments and tailored recommendations to ensure your horse is comfortable, supported, and ready to perform.

📅 Book your fitting today and give your horse the comfort they deserve.

08/09/2026

✨ Extended Special Summer Offer ✨

🔥 Free Saddle Fitting with every new saddle purchase over £1,000 — only for a limited time!

🌟 Elevate your riding experience with one of these gorgeous Arena or GFS saddles. Comfort, craftsmanship, and performance all in one stunning package.

🐎 Treat yourself (and your horse) to a saddle that truly fits — and enjoy expert fitting at no extra cost.

💛 Don’t miss out on this exclusive deal. Book a saddle fitting now!

07/09/2026

04/09/2026

🐴 Is your saddle sliding forward? Here’s WHY it happens — and why it matters.

I’ve seen a big increase in saddles creeping forward this summer, especially in trot and canter. Extreme heat can change your horse’s shape, hydration levels, and muscle tone, which all affect saddle stability.

👉 The main reasons your saddle moves forward:

🔹 Horse conformation Some horses are simply built to push saddles forward: • Low withers = no natural “anchor” • Forward girth groove = girth pulls the saddle into that spot • Croup-high builds = gravity pushes the saddle downhill • Round/pear-shaped barrels = tack slides forward like on a wedge

🔹 Saddle fit issues Even a good saddle can slip if the fit isn’t right: • Too wide → front drops down and tips forward • Too narrow → sits perched and gets shoved forward by the shoulders • Too long → loins push the back of the saddle upward and forward • Billets not aligned with the girth groove → constant forward pull

🔹 Biomechanics & movement How your horse moves can shift the saddle: • Hind limb asymmetry or mild lameness creates uneven forces • Tight or hollow backs push the saddle out of its balance point

🔹 Rider & tack influence • Crooked or forward tipping riders add extra forward pressure • Straight girths on round horses = guaranteed slipping

⚠️ Why this matters: A saddle that slides forward can pinch the shoulders, restrict stride length, cause discomfort, and throw the rider off balance — affecting performance and welfare.

🛠️ If your saddle is creeping forward, it’s time for a professional check. Book a full static + ridden assessment to keep your horse comfortable, balanced, and happy. 💛

31/08/2026

✨ Now taking bookings for September & October! ✨

If your horse’s comfort has been on your mind, you’re due a routine saddle check, or things just haven’t felt quite right lately, now’s the perfect moment to get booked in 🐴💛

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

Available adjustments:
• 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 booked in for September or October 🗓️💬

28/08/2026

🐴💛 “Don’t worry about me as long as the horse is happy with the saddle.”

I hear this all the time — but the truth is, rider position and balance is just as important for correct saddle fit. Yes, I follow a thorough process to assess the horse on the ground and ridden, checking comfort, symmetry, movement, and how the saddle sits both statically and dynamically. The horse’s welfare is always my priority.

✨ But saddle fitting doesn’t stop there.
The rider is a crucial part of the equation. Your posture, balance, hip mobility, symmetry, and even your emotional response to positional changes all influence how the saddle works — and how your horse performs.
Many riders have spent years in a chair seat or defensive posture. Shifting into a more aligned position can feel strange, vulnerable, or tense at first, even if it’s technically correct. That’s normal.
During fittings, I often walk beside riders, talk through their seat, and gently explore why certain positions feel “safe.” Sometimes it’s tight hips, sometimes habit, sometimes confidence. Small exercises and small adjustments can make a huge difference — and I never force immediate change.

💡 Horses feel everything.
A closed, defensive seat can block the horse’s back and create stiffness. An open hip angle and relaxed upper body allow the horse to move freely, with better rhythm, relaxation, and communication.

Rider position isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about harmony. And sometimes, finding that harmony means stepping out of what feels familiar. 🌿

✨ Saddle & bridle fitting slots now open for September & October — message me to book your spot!

24/08/2026

✨ MYTH BUSTING FOR HORSE OWNERS ✨
🐴 Sweat Marks Aren’t a Saddle Fit Verdict!

Lots of riders glance at sweat patterns after a ride and assume they reveal whether a saddle fits well. It feels like a handy shortcut… but it’s not a foolproof sign of good saddle fit.

Sweat marks can be influenced by so many things:
🌡️ Weather conditions
🏃 How hard your horse worked
🧥 Coat length
🧬 Natural sweat gland placement
🧽 Saddle pad materials
🐎 How the saddle moves during exercise

This means a great fitting saddle can leave uneven sweat marks, and a poor fitting saddle can leave perfectly even marks. Sweat simply doesn’t tell the full story.

What does matter is how your horse feels and moves:
✔️ Freedom and comfort in their movement
✔️ A stable, balanced saddle throughout the ride
✔️ Any changes in behaviour
✔️ Recent changes in shape or fitness

For more information on sweat patterns and saddle fit, check out this super interesting article published by the International Association of Saddle Fitters (IASF): https://www.iasf-members.com/post/sweat-patterns-and-saddle-fit-what-they-really-tell-you-and-what-they-don-t

If you’re unsure what your horse’s back is really telling you, I’d love to help. 💛 Book a saddle fitting with me and let’s make sure your horse is truly comfortable.

Walk into almost any tack room and you'll hear someone say, "The sweat marks look even, so the saddle fits." Equally, a dry patch is often immediately blamed on a pressure point.The reality is far more interesting.Sweat patterns can provide valuable information, but they cannot tell you whether a sa...

21/08/2026

✨ What I Fixed Yesterday ✨

Yesterday I met a lovely 12‑year‑old Welsh A pony who needed a new show saddle fitted. His owner was keen to find something that suited his unique conformation — a forward girth groove, high croup, and short back 🐴. These shapes can make show saddle fitting particularly challenging, so a thorough assessment was essential.

I explored several options, including Cavaletti, Black Country, and Ideal show saddles. The Ideal Haydon 15” she had on trial from Saddle Bank showed real promise: excellent length for his short back, good panel contact and stability ⭐. However, it was sitting too low at the front, indicating it was a little wide. Once the rider was on, there was also limited wither and spinal clearance, which needed addressing.

I was able to correct both issues by adjusting the flocking to lift and balance the saddle correctly. I also provided hands‑on guidance on how to use a shimmed half pad effectively while the pony is coming back into work 🛠️. This combination ensured the saddle offered the right support without compromising comfort or movement.

With a stable, secure saddle that fits the pony well and supports the rider, both can continue their journey together with confidence 💛🐎.

If your horse has a tricky shape or you’re unsure whether your saddle is truly supporting them, I’m here to help. Contact me today to book a fitting.