Amana Saddle Fitting Services

13/04/2026

Annndd.. that’s a wrap on saddle fitting in the UK for a while! In a week’s time I will be making the journey over to France 🇫🇷. This past week has been nothing short of stressful and it was great to be treated to meeting this lovely cheeky filly by client Lauren at their yard 🥰.

Thank you so much to all of you who’ve been with me on this journey and to the lovely clients who want to do right by their horses 🐴 ❤️.

10/04/2026

‘A mixed bag’ 🐎

I love deflocking saddles to see exactly what comes out of them 😅… sometimes it can be spiders 🕷️ … or sometimes something much more sinister 🤯.

In the case of this particular saddle which is in for a full reflock, out came a mixture of white, brown and synthetic wool 🐑.

Why do you think having different flocking types in saddle panels may cause an issue for the horse? 🤔

10/04/2026

This is a phrase that unfortunately I hear all too often. Horses do not set out to be naughty or difficult and I will hold my hands up to say that in the past this was something that I was led to believe with my own horse by professionals.

I’m grateful now that having gone down a path of learning I was able to understand what was viewed as negative or poor behaviour was actually a communication of pain. It blows my mind now to see how much easier things are today than they were many years ago when we started our journey together, and for that reason I will always encourage any owners that are struggling with their horse’s behaviour either on the ground or under saddle to consider if the horse may be struggling with something in the first instance and then to seek the help from the appropriate professional.

“He’s not in pain, we’ve had everything checked.”

If there is one phrase that will set me off faster than any other, it's this one, and I used to be someone who would say it.

You may have had a vet check, the dentist, farrier, physio and saddle fitter out, but that does not mean your horse is not in pain, it does not mean they are free from discomfort, it does not mean that the behaviour isn't stress related.

What it means is that you've checked all the tick boxes in your head and drawn the conclusion that it's ''just them''.

But the uncomfortable reality that a lot of people don't like to sit with is that your horse is communicating, and you aren't listening or understanding.

Horses communicate with us all the time, in tiny, sometimes unnoticeable ways if you aren't paying attention - a slight hesitation to go forward, tightening the jaw when you pick up the reins, the ears that flick back and stay there a bit too long, the tail swish, the head toss.

Those are whispers, and they are really easy to ignore if the horse still ''does the job''.

So we keep going, we kick on, we put the jumps up, we enter the test, because you've had 'everything checked'.

Now they're resisting, they're hollowing, bracing, refusing to go forwards.

We label it quirky, attitude, laziness, mareish, spicy, sharp and we kick on, we pick up a whip, put on some spurs, buy a titanium mask, swap the bit.

Then you get the explosions, the fly bucking, the leaping, the sideways canter, the tanking off after a fence, the rushing to get to the fence.

And what do we do? We post it online. People laugh, people like, people share, people praise the ''amazing seat'' of the rider and what they don't see is a horse screaming, trying desperately to communicate and not only being ignored, but being pushed for more.

Horses do not go from fine to explosive overnight. They whisper, the ask, they insist, they shout and then they scream, and somewhere in that time, we missed it - or we dismissed it, because we've 'had everything checked'.

Everything is not everything. Pain isn't always obvious, stress shows up in different ways, discomfort doesn't always show up on an x-ray…and even if it's not pain, it's still communication. Confusion, stress, overwhelm, fear. This isn't 'misbehaviour', this isn't personality traits or character.

Horses do not wake up with an intention to misbehave, they are not capable of 'choosing' a behaviour knowing the consequence, but instead of listening to the scream, or hearing the whisper, it's quicker to put on a flash, change the bit, tighten the noseband, buy a supplement and give them a label.

Listening properly requires us to question ourselves - our riding, our management, our expectations - and that’s the bit people really don't like.

None of us are perfect, I'm certainly not, but I'm learning and I don't intend to every stop. The moment you really start paying attention to your horse, you realise just how succinctly and discreetly they communicate.

If you hear the whisper, they never have to shout.

04/04/2026

Definitely something to consider if you have a horse with issues that you are struggling to resolve.

For me, my horse’s long-standing issues with f***l water syndrome (which had lasted nigh on 10+ years!) improved when I removed him from fertilized hay and pasture which had previously been used for farming cattle. Vets, a well known nutritionist or livery yards had not considered the impact of such chemicals on the equine digestive system!

Systemic inflammation can show up in many ways (skin issues for example, were another issue for me with my own horse) and sometimes instead of buying another supplement it’s best to step back and review the current food/water/environment with our horses.

In my studies with Areion Academy this is part of some of the things equine podiatrists are trained to look at when considering any issues with the overall health of the horse.

I

I have a topic that I would really value other peoples thoughts and experience of. Environmental exposure to chemicals - how much of a role does it play in equine health? It’s something we talked about as a possible issue when I trained, and it’s something I also talk about with my own students, I feel like it’s something we should be more aware of as I think it could be playing a part in more than we realise. I have a couple of examples.

Last spring, the crop field at the bottom of my land was sprayed (I don’t know what with) and within 24 hours all the horses had very loose stools. One took several months to fully recover.

Next example. I have some clients for whom the setup, on paper, is solid. Track system, minimal grass, low sugar tested hay, good movement, low stress, well-bonded herd, herbal selections given. And yet two horses have over the past couple of years tipped into significant metabolic dysfunction requiring veterinary input. We’ve gone through the usual suspects. Diet, intake, management, workload. Nothing obvious stands out.

The one variable that hasn’t been tightly controlled is water. They drink from a natural river that runs downstream of agricultural land. It’s made me wonder about the role of chronic, low-level environmental inputs and also whether when there is badly timed significant rainfall after crop spraying if it is causing an acute disruption.

Runoff from agricultural land can carry things like nitrates, herbicides such as Glyphosate, and other pesticide residues. Reading up suggests that individually, these are unlikely to cause a clear clinical issue but I’m curious about their cumulative effect over time. I also read a book called Restoring Eden a while back about the effects an American farmer had on her land by the use of glyphosate by her neighbours and her lived experience makes me very curious about the influence that is being had.

Particularly where they might:

* interfere with mineral availability
* influence gut balance / liver health
* add to the overall metabolic demand

Especially in horses that are already a little closer to the edge metabolically.

We talk a lot about what goes into the horse but perhaps not enough about what might be shaping what the horse can actually use. Has anyone else come across cases where everything looks right on paper, and yet the horse still tips?

And have you ever found water or environmental exposure to be conclusively playing a role?

04/04/2026

The longissimus- possibly the most significant anatomical structure in saddle fit (but not forgetting spinalis, lattisimus, serratus, pectorals, rhomboids, trapezius and several others).

Taking care of your horse’s back and learning the anatomical structures beneath the skin surface are extremely beneficial to improving and understanding both saddle fit and the longevity of your horse’s ridden career.

28/03/2026

Caught the best of the weather this morning ☀️ … and also the best of the moustaches 😆! Lovely Dudley was an absolute superstar for his new saddle trials 🐎. Happy horses and happy owners is what makes this job ❤️. I am a mere few weeks away from my relocation abroad but we do have a few last minute spaces next weekend if anyone is in need of a check.

20/03/2026

This really hits the nail on the dot. It can be uncomfortable for us as saddle fitters to observe horses potentially being used in ways that probably isn’t in the best interests of their welfare. This can at times lead to some uncomfortable discussions with owners but if we are all in agreement that we want to do the best by our horses then having these honest conversations on how we can make changes to keep our horses happy and comfortable in their work is necessary.

Now, this doesn’t necessarily make for a negative outcome. It might just be that the horse needs some help from other professionals; you’re physio, chiro or vet for example. Maybe the rider needs some help too for their body or riding (as they can have a big effect on a horse’s soundness too).

So many of us probably have horses in the ‘Serviceably sound’ category nowadays and being honest about the work they can do comfortably - aided or unaided - makes sure that we’re putting their welfare at the forefront.

✨️SOUND vs SERVICEABLY Sound vs LAME✨️

Let's talk about it.

SOUND:
A sound horseis a horse that can comfortably perform the job it is being asked to do without assistance. That means no reliance on painkillers, no “maintenance” required just to stay comfortable at that level, and no visible signs of discomfort. This applies to all levels of riding. *A horse should not need help just to stay sound for the work it is doing.*

There can be some gray area here. A horse may be capable of higher level work with artificial support, but that does not make it sound for that job. It simply means it is not sound for that level of work.

SERVICEABLY SOUND:

This is where things often get misunderstood and we often see the horses being failed.

A serviceably sound horse is not sound for what we would consider normal riding expectations such as walk, trot, canter, circles, and consistent work. However, that horse may still be comfortable doing very light, appropriate tasks.

Examples could include beginner walk lessons, basic horsemanship, or very limited trot work in straight lines. It could also be a retired show horse that is comfortable doing low level flat work a few days a week, but cannot handle jumping or a heavier workload.

Some of these horses may be on supplements or medications. That does not make them sound. It simply means we are managing them so they can stay comfortable within a very limited scope. *They should never be pushed beyond that just because pain is being masked.*

The key point is this

A horse is only “serviceably sound” if it is COMFORTABLE doing the exact job it is currently being asked to do.

If there are visible signs of lameness or discomfort in that job, then the horse is *not* serviceably sound for it. It is simply lame for that task.

LAME:

Lameness or unsoundness is not limited to obvious limping. It can include back pain, poor saddle fit, dental issues, ulcers, and other sources of discomfort. A horse does not need to be head bobbing to be struggling.

A horse that is showing pain while working is not sound. And it does not become “serviceably sound” just because we choose to label it that way.

Another common argument is that “it’s better for them to move than not.”

Movement is important. But there are many ways to keep a horse moving that do not cause pain. Turnout, hand walking, and appropriate low intensity riding all exist. Using a horse in a way that clearly causes discomfort is not about their health. It is about convenience, and for a lot of facilities (especially those that offer lessons) its about money.

At the end of the day, this comes down to being honest about what the horse is telling us.

If a horse is uncomfortable doing the job, then it is not the right job for that horse.

And no label changes that.

15/03/2026

This is something which we need to take more notice of when we mount our horses and consider the types of strain we’re placing on their backs when we get on (especially if you do this from the ground 😣)

09/03/2026

A remarkable pony and an inspiration to us all. His story reminds me of a pony I once shared, whose owner had been encouraged by her instructor to move on to a bigger horse to further develop her jumping ability. She was not a tall rider and I remember thinking how wholly unnecessary it was to feel like she had to leave behind her lovely mount when she had a perfectly rideable pony which she had opportunity to continue developing with.

I would love to know what Stroller’s management regime was like to enable him to compete at such a high level and live to such a grand age! 🐎

Stroller's fall in the team event at Mexico 1968. Marion Mould and Stroller had already won silver in the individual show jumping but then disaster struck over one of the biggest Olympic show jumping courses ever and they were eliminated.

Stroller — The Olympic Wonder Pony 🐴

In the world of international show jumping—where towering warmbloods and powerful Thoroughbreds dominate—one tiny competitor rewrote the rules. His name was Stroller, a pony barely tall enough to qualify as a horse. Yet this little bay gelding would go on to become one of the most legendary jumpers in equestrian history.

A Pony in a Horse’s World

Standing at just 14.2 hands, Stroller was technically a pony. That alone made his career remarkable, because international show jumping courses are designed for much larger horses with enormous stride and power. Despite his size, Stroller possessed extraordinary courage, scope, and athleticism that allowed him to compete—and win—against the biggest horses in the sport.

Born in 1950 and bred from a Thoroughbred sire and a Connemara pony mare, Stroller combined speed, toughness, and agility—traits that helped him defy expectations throughout his career.

The Partnership with Marion Coakes

Stroller’s story is inseparable from his rider, Marion Coakes. The British rider met Stroller in 1960 when she was only 13 years old. Though originally intended as a junior mount, the partnership quickly proved special. Their bold riding style and trust in each other made them formidable competitors in the British junior circuit.

When Marion aged out of the junior ranks, her father encouraged her to move on to a bigger horse—a normal step for riders aiming for the top levels. But Marion insisted on keeping Stroller. That decision would change show jumping history.

Rising Through the Ranks

The pair moved into senior competition and immediately proved they belonged among the best. Among their early major successes:

Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International Horse Show

Capturing three Nations Cup victories for Great Britain

Achieving major placings in the legendary Hickstead Derby, one of the toughest courses in the sport

In 1967, Stroller made history by winning the Hickstead Derby, becoming the only pony ever to claim the prestigious title.

Olympic Glory

Stroller’s most famous moment came at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

Competing against the best show jumpers in the world, the little pony stunned spectators. Stroller jumped one of only two clear rounds in the Olympic individual final. Marion Coakes and Stroller ultimately earned the individual silver medal, finishing just four faults behind the gold medalist.

To this day, Stroller remains the only pony ever to compete in Olympic show jumping—and the only one to win a medal.

A Career That Defied Time

Stroller continued competing successfully well into his later years. Highlights include:

Winning the Hamburg Derby in 1970 at age 20, with the only clear round

Accumulating 61 international victories

Earning the Wills Hickstead Gold Medal five consecutive years (1965–1970)

His longevity, bravery, and consistent performance cemented his reputation as one of the greatest jumpers of all time.

Retirement and Legacy

After retiring from competition, Stroller enjoyed a peaceful retirement for 15 years. He died in 1986 at the remarkable age of 36, leaving behind a legacy few horses—or ponies—have ever matched.

Today, Stroller’s story still inspires riders everywhere. He proved that heart, talent, and partnership matter far more than size. For countless young riders dreaming of greatness on their beloved ponies, Stroller remains the ultimate proof that even the smallest competitor can conquer the biggest stage.

Legacy in one sentence:
Stroller wasn’t just a pony competing with horses—he was a champion who changed how the world sees what ponies can achieve. 🐎

05/03/2026

So true. Horses bodies and anatomy is all different. None of us come in a ‘one size fits all’ shape.

26/02/2026

If we want soundness and longevity for our horses, we must spend time on the absolute basics..

Release the base of the neck, let the neck extend open and out, let the nervous system regulate by doing so and let the horse find his own balance through the neck!

It is their balancing rod after all..

Soften the back. Get off their back.
Mobilise the lumbar.

When the topline can truly let go, the hindquarters can step under, the back can lift and the whole body can work in harmony.

The benefits aren’t just many - they’re foundational.

Stronger posture.
Healthier joints.

A horse that stays sound, supple and happy in the work.

Longevity isn’t created by doing more.
It’s created by doing it correctly.

We must train our eyes in order to train for soundness.

📸 Fine Photography By Georgia-Emily