18/02/2026
I often get asked, "what happens at an appointment, and what do you need from me?", so let me explain.
The main thing I need from you is a relatively clean and dry horse (untacked but rugged for warmth is fine), a sheltered area in which to work (especially if the weather is doing Scotland things), and a rider present.
The appointment will be made up of several sections:
1️⃣ We'll make sure your horse is comfortable in my presence - this takes as long as it takes.
2️⃣ We'll have an in depth chat about your horse, any medical issues, when they last saw various professionals (physio, dentist, vet, farrier etc) and what the takeaways from those appointments were. We'll talk about any behaviors your horse has while being ridden, any preferences or strong reactions and saddle issues you may be having, what you mainly do with your horse and your plans for the near future.
3️⃣ I will assess your horse's conformation, feel their back for any lumps, bumps, muscle tension, reactivity etc and confirm fitness to carry a saddle and rider. Then I will chalk them up and take templates and measurements.
4️⃣ I will conduct a gait analysis in walk and trot to give me an idea of how your horse moves - do they track up, dish, have a significant hip drop or any other key movement issues that may make the saddle behave in a certain way?
5️⃣ Saddle time! I'll check your saddle is sound and fit for use and if so, pop it on your horse. Saddle will be assessed statically and if it's a good fit we'll girth up after checking the girth is suitable and assess again. If the saddle is not suitable and alterations can be made to make it suitable - flock, gullet change etc - this will be done. If it is completely unsuitable/compromised then we will discuss what options are available to replace. If the saddle requires a full reflock then we will organize the best time for me to take it away and do so.
6️⃣ Riding time. We will do a ridden assessment to check the saddle fits you as well as the horse, make sure it still fits well dynamically as well as with weight through it, and that it doesn't do anything funky!
If there is a reason that you are not going to be riding - horse still rehabbing/not back in work yet/fitting a baby for their first saddle but as yet unbacked - that's ok in these circumstances, but I obviously cannot guarantee something that fits statically and unladen will fit dynamically and laden.
7️⃣ Any more fine adjustments, such as flock tweaks/shims/rider positioning aids, will be made.
8️⃣ Once we're all happy, that's you finished. Invoices will be emailed over to you with a report of what we discussed and any changes or recommendations made and when I think you will be due your next check up.
