Pennine Group Equestrian Services

21/06/2026

Your posture affects your saddle fit 👐

Every rider has postural compensations, but did you know that your posture can completely change how a saddle fits and behaves?

The same saddle on the same horse can feel and function very differently depending on who's in it. Sometimes what looks like a saddle fit issue is actually a rider influence issue.

Recently, I rode a horse I'd never sat on before in a saddle I'd never tried. I immediately experienced some fit-related problems. When the horse's owner got on, those issues disappeared.

Same horse. Same saddle. Different rider.

Thankfully, I know enough to recognise when I'm the problem!
It led to a really interesting discussion about how we identify whether a problem is coming from the saddle itself or from the rider's posture, balance, and movement patterns.

As saddle fitters, trainers, and riders, it's important to remember that saddle fit isn't just about the horse and the saddle.
It's about the partnership between horse, saddle, and rider.

📢 Sometimes the saddle isn't the problem.📢

Have you ever ridden in a saddle that felt completely different from someone else's experience of it?

Photo is of the lovely Laura Waterhouse Therapies & Training showing me some techniques to free off my posture


LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting

19/06/2026

Food for thought...

In our pursuit of "perfect" angles, could we sometimes be creating problems where none existed?

From the moment I was introduced to horses, I was taught that soundness depends on correct conformation and alignment, and that any deviation should be corrected. But the more horses I meet, the more I question whether intervention is always the right answer.

Research in biomechanics shows that horses are remarkably adaptable. Their bodies develop movement patterns that allow them to compensate for individual conformational differences, and many horses remain sound, comfortable, and athletic despite being far from textbook perfect. In contrast, altering structures or movement patterns that a horse has already adapted to can sometimes disrupt balance, increase strain on soft tissues, and create new issues rather than solve existing ones.

Over the years I've seen plenty of "crooked" horses live long, happy, successful lives. I've also seen horses undergoing extensive corrective work struggle to find the same balance and comfort they once had.

This came up recently during a saddle-fitting trip. I met a horse whose angles challenged what I have been taught. She didn't conform to my understanding or "correct" In reality, she was one of the soundest, happiest, and most balanced horses I've had the privilege to ride in a very long time.

Would intervention improve her? I don't believe so.

She already knows how to move. She already knows how to balance her body. The best thing I could do for that horse was stop trying to make her fit a textbook and simply listen to what she was telling me.

Sometimes, if something is working, the wisest thing we can do is resist the urge to fix it.


LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting

27/04/2026

ATTENTION FATTIES!!!!

You don’t need another diet.
You need standards.

⸻

Body:

You’ve tried cutting calories.
You’ve tried motivation.
You’ve tried “starting Monday.”

And somehow… you’re still in the same place.

Here’s the truth:

It’s not lack of knowledge.
It’s lack of structure.

That’s exactly what I fix.

⸻

SMC RUCKFIT – 12 Week Transformation Protocol

This isn’t a quick fix.

It’s a system built around:

* Real food (not restriction)
* Weighted walking (rucking) to build strength and burn fat
* Simple strength training
* Mental discipline that actually sticks

No fluff. No guesswork. No excuses.

⸻

What you’ll build:

✔ Strength that carries into real life
✔ Consistent energy (no crashes)
✔ Fat loss without obsession
✔ A mindset that doesn’t fold under pressure

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And yeah—this part matters:

You’ll be coached.

Not left guessing.
Not left drifting.
Not left quitting after week 2.

⸻

Call to Action:

Spots are limited.

If you’re ready to stop messing about and actually change something—

Message me “RUCKFIT”
and I’ll send you the details.

27/03/2026

What's that noise??? 🤔

Subtle changes in our horses are often the first, and sometimes the only signs that something may need our attention when it comes to saddle fit.

At LM Saddles, a sympathetic and holistic approach to fitting goes beyond how the saddle looks when the horse is standing still. It’s about understanding how the horse moves, how they feel, and how they respond under saddle. This includes observing posture, muscle development, and the small behavioural changes that are easy to miss but incredibly valuable.

Recently, I came across a great example of this in the form of sheath noise, something that can be easily overlooked. While subtle, it can indicate changes in movement patterns, tension, or discomfort through the back and abdominal region. In this case, it was linked to the saddle fit.

When a saddle restricts the horse’s natural movement, whether due to uneven flocking, inconsistent panel contact, or an unsuitable tree shape, it can create a kind of “background interference” within the body. Horses will often compensate quietly, and these adjustments may show up in small ways.

Some of these signs can include:
• Changes in gait quality or rhythm
• Alterations in posture or muscle use
• Moments of tension or resistance
• Audible indicators, such as sheath noise

Rather than seeing these as isolated or coincidental, they can be incredibly helpful pieces of feedback. Behaviour, movement, and physical development are all closely connected, and saddle fit plays an important role in each of them.

By noticing these small changes early, we can make thoughtful, timely adjustments to support the horse’s comfort and wellbeing.

Attention to detail really matters. The smallest signs are often the horse’s way of communicating with us, and it is our responsibility to listen!

LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting

21/02/2026