Amana Saddle Fitting Services

05/12/2025

The connection between the feet and the back fascinates me which is why it’s really important when you discover that your horse has back pain to look critically at the feet and question whether they could be the source
Already excited to start my second year of studying equine podiatry with Areion Academy ❤️

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05/12/2025

The weather has been rather bleak of late ☔️ 🥶 which can make saddle fitting a bit tricky when it comes to ensuring you’re able to have a dynamic assessment over suitable surfacing. Arena’s this time of year are deep + full of puddles, grass is slippery or worse, frosty and the ground rock hard. Our priority is to keep you safe so whilst we want you + your horse riding comfortably, do ensure that before deciding to ride you’re not risking injury to yourself or your horse and are mindful of ground conditions.

Client Brooke bravely rode to have her saddle checked at a local arena in what was probably the wettest Saturday I’ve worked so far. Horse Jet was a saint as usual but clearly not a fan of the wet (I can understand that being a mid 30’s and sun kinda girl 😅).

Thankfully the weather dried up for the afternoon and I was able to enjoy a lovely follow-up assessment of Rita and Marley’s Albion.

Back to Brooke again on the Sunday with finally some ☀️ to re-check Mr Giz’s saddle.

We are now taking bookings for January so please DM if you require a check of your existing saddle or are looking for a new or second-hand saddle 📞 📧.

04/12/2025

My first attempt at an upcycled leather Xmas tree decoration 🎄. This was made from an old saddle I bought ages ago for training that I’ve been saving to get the tree out of. I’ve been waiting for a reason to cut the leather off it and put it to good use. Very simple but still festive 🙂.

29/11/2025

And this post explains just one of the reasons I no longer like rope halters, they’re not a substitute for good, science-based training

From an ethical standpoint, none of these are correct.

You cannot correctly fit a gadget that is designed to apply excess pressure in extremely sensitive areas when a horse lifts their head to fight bit contact.

The way these “brain chain” tie downs function is by creating excess discomfort so the horse is forced to succumb and stop fighting.

They’re thin.

The thinner the surface area, the more pressure applied per square inch.

They are a rolled “screw” style of surface area, further creating pressure points by having a similar effect to what a twisted wire bit would on the mouth, but on the face.

They apply pressure to the sensitive poll, right where the spine and skull attach and right cross the forehead running directly over a bunch of sensitive nerve bundles as well as right over the bony areas that are poorly padded.

You cannot use a piece of equipment like this ethically.

No matter what the manufacturer tries to tell you.

The very existence of a product like this is reliant on causing pain to create compliance.

If you love your horse, train them instead of causing pain to produce an immediate response.

I hate products like this because they’re incredibly lucrative for businesses because they promise instant gratification, which humans love.

And when enough people use them, it becomes easy for people to try to convince themselves that they aren’t painful and deny the function of how they work.

But, physics don’t lie.

The mechanics of the equipment you use don’t lie.

You cannot “correctly fit” your way out of equipment that is engineered to achieve control through causing pain.

I think riders AND businesses selling equipment both have an ethical obligation not to promote or use equipment that is utterly reliant on causing pain to create results.

Sure, it’s lucrative.

Sure, it can force compliance from the horse immediately.

But, it comes at a cost.

And the horse is the one who pays.

29/11/2025

And this is part of the reason why I don’t feel great about rope halters!

From an ethical standpoint, none of these are correct.

You cannot correctly fit a gadget that is designed to apply excess pressure in extremely sensitive areas when a horse lifts their head to fight bit contact.

The way these “brain chain” tie downs function is by creating excess discomfort so the horse is forced to succumb and stop fighting.

They’re thin.

The thinner the surface area, the more pressure applied per square inch.

They are a rolled “screw” style of surface area, further creating pressure points by having a similar effect to what a twisted wire bit would on the mouth, but on the face.

They apply pressure to the sensitive poll, right where the spine and skull attach and right cross the forehead running directly over a bunch of sensitive nerve bundles as well as right over the bony areas that are poorly padded.

You cannot use a piece of equipment like this ethically.

No matter what the manufacturer tries to tell you.

The very existence of a product like this is reliant on causing pain to create compliance.

If you love your horse, train them instead of causing pain to produce an immediate response.

I hate products like this because they’re incredibly lucrative for businesses because they promise instant gratification, which humans love.

And when enough people use them, it becomes easy for people to try to convince themselves that they aren’t painful and deny the function of how they work.

But, physics don’t lie.

The mechanics of the equipment you use don’t lie.

You cannot “correctly fit” your way out of equipment that is engineered to achieve control through causing pain.

I think riders AND businesses selling equipment both have an ethical obligation not to promote or use equipment that is utterly reliant on causing pain to create results.

Sure, it’s lucrative.

Sure, it can force compliance from the horse immediately.

But, it comes at a cost.

And the horse is the one who pays.

28/11/2025

Last weekend we attended the NKC Healthy Horse Conference at which there were some absolutely fantastic speakers including vets Kate Grantham and Sue Dyson, one of my favourite physiotherapists, Gillian Tabor, who has an excellent podcast which I really recommend- The Vet Physio podcast.

Topics covered in the conference included the increasing diagnosis of stifle disease, the importance of understanding anatomy, the equine diet, bridle and saddle fit, AI in the use of equine gait analysis and horse welfare and behaviour.

I had a particularly good discussion with Nic de Brauwere - Head of Welfare at Redwings- during the break on day 1 about gastric ulcers (his dog is SO cute btw 🥰), and also got to have a Hofmag treatment on myself, which was very interesting and actually, quite relaxing ☺️.

Whilst the focus really was driven at bodyworkers and therapists (of which it’s hugely beneficial for saddle fitters to have a good understanding of open dialogue with any client’s horse care team), I found it very beneficial, the food was yummy and the gift bags were a lovely addition 🛍️!

Looking forward to next year’s CPD already 🙂.

27/11/2025

Fit Supports Confidence

When a saddle, bridle, or bit fits well, it supports the horse’s body correctly, communication becomes easier, the horse becomes more relaxed, and the rider can focus on partnership rather than problems.

Poorly fitted tack doesn’t just create discomfort. It can quietly undermine both balance and rider confidence.

Good fit strengthens the partnership between horse and rider.
A qualified fitter can make all the difference.

19/11/2025

Wow, I can’t believe I’m at the end of my first year studying equine podiatry with Areion Academy 🤯.

What a year it’s been and to be honest, it’s flown by all too quickly 😅. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a bit of an addict when it comes to improving my knowledge around horses and growing my understanding on the connection between the feet and the back was something I felt drawn to since completing my saddle fitting qualification.

I had studied equine podiatry in the past but with Areion I feel I get such an open minded approach to hoofcare which encourages debate and discussion on different trim methods and invites equine practitioners from various backgrounds (hoofcare and otherwise) to come and share information on their approaches with us students.

But above all, the course is hugely enjoyable and I feel like I’m back in uni again having fun with friends whilst studying a subject that I really like and feel passionate about.

I have a break now from our monthly workshops until the new year when I suspect the material which we will cover in the second year will step up a level and I’m putting that little extra time into finishing my long overdue biomechanics course 😅. So if I’m a little quiet on here it’s because I’m putting energy into not procrastinating (and your saddle fitting
consultations of course 🙃).

19/11/2025

Lovely to receive this feedback from a client on their new saddle. We upgraded their non-adjustable existing saddle which was too wide to an Albion Tsar courtesy of . Looking forward to seeing the ‘transformation’ of this horse and rider pair in the coming months🐎.

18/11/2025

Some days horses can be overwhelming and as we head into the dark nights of winter it’s a good time to take a step back and reflect. We’re all on our own individual journey with our horses and we can meet one another with kindness and compassion, recognizing that we are all just people who love and want to improve the lives of our horses ❤️

When I was child, a professional horsewoman once told me that my love for horses, my passion for helping them would one day break me. I remember telling her all my dreams, how much I loved rehabilitation work, how I wanted to help every horse I met. And she said there would come a time when that same love would leave me feeling shattered. She was right.

So as we head into winter, when everything feels harsher and heavier, I want you to remember this: if you’re struggling with your horse, if you’ve tried everything you can think of and still feel lost, you’re not alone. You also have to stay realistic. The truth is, these horses only survive because we’ve domesticated them - and because we have access to diagnostics, veterinary care, and every resource imaginable. We’re able to buy them time that nature never would.

Many horses have genetic issues, physical limitations, or simply aren’t built to be ridden. In the wild, they wouldn’t make it. If humans stopped keeping horses, I honestly think some of them might even disappear entirely. A horse with compromised structure or chronic problems wouldn’t survive predators or the elements. That’s the hard reality.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your love for horses - by the pressure to do everything right, by the endless flow of information, by wondering whether you’re making the right choices - just know you’re not alone. We all feel that way at times. And we’re all here for the same reason: because we love horses, even if that love leaves us a little bit broken.

15/11/2025

Amen to this

Horses don’t ask for the lives that we give them.

In fact, they don’t have any say.

They’re at the mercy of the life humans decide for them.

Their access to socialization with other horses, freedom to move, access to forage… all determined by their caretaker.

The horse’s world exists within the parameters of what people allow for them.

Humans hold the keys to the quality of the life that horses have access to.

We shouldn’t squander that responsibility.

Allow your horse freedom to move.

Allow them to build friendships with other horses.

Let them feel the sun on their back.

Let them get muddy.

Don’t opt for painful equipment, even if they’re being difficult.

Give them the benefit of the doubt and ask yourself WHY they are behaving that way — it isn’t just for no reason.

Offer your horse a full life, make sure it’s a life worth living.

A life with no autonomy is no life at all.

14/11/2025

I’m sure this will be a great talk!!

One week to go!
Come and learn how to read your horse’s body language and behaviour 📚. This talk is full of photos, videos and case studies.
Date: Thursday 20th November
Venue: Bradbourne RDA Club House, Sevenoaks. TN13 3DH
Price: £15PP
Link to book tickets in comments.

Also a great opportunity to meet some local likeminded people. Please tag or share with anyone who might be interested.