11/10/2026
He's gone up 3 gullet sizes in less than 2 years 😱
In May 2025, after having spent some time researching and learning about Holistic Saddle Fitting, Duke was seen by the lovely Jemma from LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting and was fitted with a wider saddle and a shim pad.
15 weeks later he was seen again and the shims needed altering as his back was plumping up.
I could see a change but didn't allow myself to get too excited until the professional came and I saw the start of his new 'Rainbow' on paper 😍
Another 13 weeks on and Duke's back had plumped up some more which meant he needed a wider gullet, making that two gullet changes in less than 6 months!
So let's look at the gullets...
The white x-wide gullet had been in his saddle for 7.5 years. In that time it had been fitted with and without a half pad following his saddle check appointments. The biggest change in Duke's previous 'Rainbow' was in September 2024 where he'd shown a significant improvement with more even lines and build up which I can only put down to the difference Track Life and being barefoot has made, supported by regular Physiotherapy, individually tailored exercises and stretches, groundwork, in hand walking and non-restrictive riding during his barefoot transition.
The lilac 2x-wide gullet was in the new, wider fitting saddle. He's had this since May 2025 along with a Prolite half pad which needed the shims adjusting in September 2025.
The dark purple 4x-wide gullet was fitted in December 2025 but before fitting this gullet, I wanted to see what all 3 gullets looked like on him and this was my interpretation of what I saw...
👀 White Gullet - A gullet that looks like it fits him. It sat there in position and didn't slide down but knowing what I know now is that it's a fit that his back has been shaped to which has had no room for his muscles to 'plump up' so no room for him to grow and develop, causing restriction and muscle atrophy.
👀 Lilac Gullet - A gullet that isn't as snug, doesn't look to be as restrictive, stays in position but with very little room for 'plumping', growth and development.
👀 Dark Purple Gullet - A gullet that needed to be held in place with lots of room for 'plumping', no pinching and no restrictions. Some might say that this gullet is too wide and does not fit but something to bare in mind is that we are looking at it on a horse that is just standing there, no movement, not working his muscles and not lifting up into his back as he would once we were moving.
It's now 10 months since the 4x Wide gullet was fitted,
17 months since the first saddle check with Jemma
and all I can say is...THE PROOF IS IN THE PROFILE!
Duke has two rainbows on his profile due to having had quite a lot of muscle atrophy...but not now!
His back has grown and he feels so much better under saddle, free, and with a lot more shoulder movement.
His trot is more relaxed, his chest is wider and there has been notable changes in hoof growth and angles.
I cannot thank Jemma Aigner - Balancing Harmony enough. She is the most beautiful soul and every time I am in her company, I am just blown away by her knowledge, her drive & passion for helping horses 🫶🏼
Please note - This post is shared with nothing but good intentions. It is not a negative post towards any professionals in the industry. It is simply a visual representation of what I see on my horse and the positive physical changes I have seen him go through since having his saddle fitted in a different, more holistic way. I am not a saddle-fitter and this is not me giving saddle fitting advice. I strongly recommend you do your own research and find a suitable saddle fitter for your horse.
Fun Fact...
Did you know that horses in the war had flat open headed saddles and that their soldiers were given blankets and taught how to 'shim' the saddles to balance them to achieve the best fit for their horses. These blankets were multipurpose and provided warmth to the soldiers when resting. Isn't that just amazing!
There's a fabulous podcast all about this way of saddle fitting which I will share in the comments.
Definitely worth a listen 🎶
Shout out to Kirsty Rawden Veterinary Physiotherapy for all your help in building Dukes rainbows 🌈 💜 🌈
