HR Saddlery

18/09/2026

Very interesting morning attending a Cyber Security Event hosted by South Wales Police. Really good to keep up to date with the latest emerging cyber threats.

17/09/2026

A good post to show that width isn’t the only factor to look at when determining which tree to choose

A Medium Wide is a Medium Wide… isn’t it?

When it comes to saddle trees, width and shape are not the same thing.

Within our tree range, a Medium Wide is always a 90° angle, regardless of which tree style it is.

A horse with a broad, flatter spine may require a very different tree profile from a horse with a narrower or more prominent spine — but that does not mean the angle of a Medium Wide changes.

Our Classic, Warmblood, Baroque, Hoop or even our adjustable trees can differ considerably in their head shape, rails, twist and overall profile, while still retaining the same point angle for the same width fitting.

So two trees can look completely different when placed side by side and both still be a Medium Wide, but the angle of the points will remain the same

Tree width = the angle.
Tree shape = how that tree accommodates the horse’s overall conformation.

Understanding that distinction is incredibly important when assessing saddle fit.

12/09/2026

Final day at BEVA - The British Equine Veterinary Association Congress and joined by Jackie Hickman from Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys. We have had a great show and made many connections.

11/09/2026

Another visitor today CEO Claire Williams from the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)
Catherine Baker CB Saddlery now joined by Vice President Helen Reader HR Saddlery

Catherine has sent an update:

Hot off the press!!

We have just listened to a fascinating presentation at BEVA Congress from Cobi Baillie of Hartpury University on the veterinarian’s role in horse owners’ management of saddle fit.

Cobi’s research found that:
• older and more experienced owners were less likely to seek saddle-related advice from their vet or recognise when a saddle-fit check might be needed, and
• leisure riders were also less likely to have regular checks.

The key message was clear:
• vets play an essential role in helping owners manage saddle fit,
• recognising when saddlery may be relevant and
• referring to suitably qualified fitters where appropriate.

A huge thank you to Cobi for carrying out this valuable research and sharing her findings today. Evidence like this helps our industry understand the barriers owners face and strengthens collaboration between vets and saddle, bridle and bit fitters.

If you are attending BEVA Congress, please visit The Society of Master Saddlers on Stand C41 and complete our short survey. Your views on saddlery fitting, equine welfare and performance—and the education vets may find valuable—will help shape our future work.

Come and talk to us and add your voice at Stand C41.

11/09/2026

Sounds like it was a good day yesterday, I’m here with Catherine Baker today - any of my clients or friends that are at the BEVA Congress today or tomorrow please come & see us on stand C41

Look who joined us on our stand today at BEVA - The British Equine Veterinary Association Congress at the ICC in Birmingham. Our Veterinary advisor Dr Jane Nixon MA Vet, Russell Mackechnie -Guire Centaur Biomechanics and Cobi Baillie from Hartpury University. Catherine Baker CB Saddlery and Charlotte Fountain hosting.

We are also conducting a survey to learn more about veterinary professionals’ views on saddlery fitting. We are asking:

• To what extent do vets believe saddlery fitting influences equine welfare and performance?
• Could working with Qualified Saddle, Bridle and Bit Fitters compliment their practice?
• Were they aware of the Society and the training we provide before today?
• Would they be interested in future training relating to saddle, bridle and bit fit?

The feedback will help us better understand current awareness and consider how the Society can support veterinary professionals through relevant education and collaborative working.

If you are attending BEVA Congress, please come and see us!

10/09/2026

Russell MacKechnie-Guire has presented the findings from the Bitless Bridle study today at the BEVA Congress. It was really interesting to work on this study & great to see the results now being released.

25/08/2026

We stock Thorowgood Saddles, so drop me a line to if you want to book a saddle fitting appointment.

25/08/2026

Yesterday I spent the afternoon in front of the computer, but it was for something that I feel is very strongly about - BEF Safeguarding Course hosted by British Dressage. This is the fourth time I have completed this course (renewable every three years) & I learn something new every time.

With so many young clients & also for my adult clients, it is important to be able to spot signs of abuse, neglect or general lack of wellbeing. Even just having conversation, listening to their worries or supporting them when confidence is down could make all the difference to them. We never really know what is going on with people at home, so to be approachable for my clients is an extra service that they might not have anywhere else.

24/08/2026