Tamlaght Equestrian Care

05/05/2025

What was wrong with the saddle??

A broken head plate. This takes all the structural integrity out of the tree.

Signs your head plate may be broken -

1. Folds in the seat
2. Clearance around wither changing drastically once mounted
3. A squeak when tested (as in my wee video) or when rising trot
4. Horse behaviour changes - unhappy to move forward, be mounted or be tacked

Some horses never complain they just suck it up 😭 so make sure you are vigilant about your tack.

05/05/2025

Mondays are my day off.

This makes me giggle as day off actually means working on all the repairs and trade-ins.

Every saddle we take in gets the panels dropped apart, tree checked, reflocked if need be and then popped into stock once we deem it good enough for your equine best friend.

So don't be surprised when that saddle you trade in costs a bit more when sold on. There is a lot of work put into ensuring they are sellable.

Here's a little glimpse of some of what I've been up to today.

Oh and of course one of my chief flock fluffers ensuring I only use the best Jacobs wool. ❤️🥰

05/05/2025

One of my lovely clients let me take this saddle to dismantle.

What do you think might be wrong with it?

Is there any tell tale signs that might make me cautious to let my client ride her pride and joy in this saddle? Video of me testing it in comments. (I'm solo today so not the best vid but should do the job 😜)

03/05/2025

"Comes with tack"

Not all sellers want to ensure the horse or pony you buy is comfortable and happy. Some just want a sale and will throw in extras to sweeten the deal.

If you try your horse in a well fitted saddle and are told it can go with the horse, great! But still get it checked.

If you try the horse in a lovely saddle and it comes with a different, aged or synthetic saddle then proceed with caution.

I had a lovely horse in with me today who was sold with tack and this is what they were given! This does not meet standards. The gullet channel is completely insufficient. The panels are hard, lumpy and the leather is stiff.

The poor boy has become less and less happy to be tacked up. Who can blame him! The owners tried him in a different saddle, had lessons on him during their trial in different saddles but were given this on purchase.

Thank goodness they came to us today and we fitted him into a lovely comfy saddle. And thank goodness he has super new owners that gave him the benefit of the doubt when his behaviour changed.

Undoing the damage a saddle like this causes involves a good saddle fitter, physios and veterinary. You can't just swap the saddle unfortunately, you need to rebuild confidence and create positive associations again.

Luckily this particular boy was super in his fitting today as the owner phoned a few weeks back and following a good chat followed our advice, seeking veterinary advice - treating gut health, getting a physio and refraining from using the old saddle.

03/05/2025

I've been putting off this post as I didn't want to admit it but Lexy has been retired.

My stunningly beautiful mare is now officially a companion. Maybe a broodmare if I decide I can handle raising a foal 🤔 but no longer ridden.

She was super under saddle, honestly the nicest ride I could ask for, but she palpated sore the following day and was reluctant to be tacked but as soon as I pop my foot in that stirrup, she would do anything for me.

Now, I ride because I love seeing my horse progress and not for any competitive reason, so riding a mare that may not be comfortable just isn't in my blood. She's had every possible professional to ensure there is no way to make her more comfortable and although some advice is to crack on with her I have decided she (and I) would be much happier just enjoying her life here - in my field.

She is like a whole new horse now; affectionate, relaxed and shining and that makes me chuffed!

So I am looking for a new horse 🫣 a project as my budget is minimal. So if you know of any lovely equines that might want to be my next best friend, be spoilt rotten and enjoy pottering about with me please let me know. 🥰

Between 4 and 14, 15.2-17h, no tbs unless they were never trained (as I just can't cope with the medical issues that often follow being backed at 2 - not because I don't love a tb) and otherwise I'm pretty open ❤️

27/04/2025

Thanks for the wash mum, I enjoyed it so much, I think you should do it again 🫣🤣

27/04/2025

A few fresh additions to the arena thanks to easyway.ie

If you need jumps, fillers, uprights, poles, planks and even stables shop local from Colleen Moffet at easyway.ie

27/04/2025

23/04/2025

Today was a gorgeous day. Lovely clients, stunning horses & ponies and great weather ❤️

We had a visit from Zac Hanna as well today, one of my regulars who always keeps me smiling, even when he brings me tricky fits.

This young rider is one to watch 👀

He currently rides in a variation of my saddles but his favourites are his Fiona Cork Event Saddles and a Chunky Monkey Saddles pony saddle. If only Sam would make us more of those! 😭😭😭 Every rider I have in one wants another!

No one brand fits every horse or every rider. But every rider has their preferences and keeping his variation of horses in saddles that suit him is part of what makes this job interesting. He has ruled out a few brands/models that fit well but just don't suit his riding style.

And that's why you work with a fitter who carries a large range of options, try before you buy is key!

22/04/2025

Can all vets fit saddles? Can any vet?

Saddle fitting should be done by a qualified saddle fitter. A vet can most definitely ask you to get the fit checked but are they qualified to tell you if the fit is good?

I recently fitted for a lovely equine vet. She wanted to be sure her saddle was correct as she was starting a young, difficult horse.

Here is what we discussed and she was happy to be honest about her lack of understanding around saddle fitting:

1. Her horse measured 16.5" maximum, she was riding in an 18" - she thought spreading the weight over a larger area was better for the horse and didn't know it shouldn't extend past T18 or the lumber would be compromised.

2. The saddle was extremely old, the panels lumpy and hard causing the horse to be sensitive under palpation. But a good half pad was added - doesn't that make it ok?

3. The gullet channel was much too narrow - no longer meeting British or welfare standards for that matter and the spinal processes were inflamed.

4. The saddle was much too wide placing concentrated pressure on the spinalis - but doesn't the half pad correct that?

5. She is a petite rider and was lost in this saddle, her weight was not through equilibrium, she was "chaired". Concentrating her weight onto the cantel when she sat behind the motion in trot and causing the horse to become sensitive and lift his head on the impact of the rider sitting.

This vet knew she wasn't a saddle fitter. She got me out to ensure her horse was comfortable and to learn more so she could refer her clients to me when needed.

If you've had your saddle fitted by a fitter and your vet says "it doesn't fit" get rechecked by that fitter. They have trained for years in regards to saddle fitting. They will change things if the fit is not optimal and they will work with your vets in rehab and lameness cases to ensure the saddle fit reflects any lameness or compromised way of going the vet has diagnosed.

This post is not shaming the vet, this post is praising them! No-one knows everything. Being able to admit that is so important, sometimes I will refer you to a vet and the vet will give you the all clear. My job is to ensure the horse is sound for a saddle and then fit it. Sometimes that involves telling you to go to a physio or vet, and yes sometimes you will be given the all clear, because guess what - I am not a vet.

I'm a saddle fitter. And I am dedicated to saddle fitting alone.



(Picture sent from a super trainer who gets all her saddles checked 😊)

18/04/2025

We have limited availability for fittings in Ballynahinch
Area on Thursday 24th April and at Sandstone Stables Monaghan on Friday 25th April. Please go online to book.
www.tamlaghtequestriancare.co.uk

16/04/2025

Katie and twister trying out the fitting area, so far very happy horses and clients ❤️

Oh and Katie may have got herself a little frosting from the shop ❤️🥰