Comfort First Saddle Fitting

10/03/2025

Bates training day:

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a training day run by Saddlery Brands International. This covered their Wintec, Arena and Bates ranges. These amazing saddles use a combination of their
patented Cair, and performance panels. These saddles have their “Easy Change” gullet system which, when combined with the easy change riser system, provides an unprecedented level of adjustability. The precision in the adjustments that can be made to this saddle is fascinating! Using the Easy Change riser system I can make adjustments in four millimetre
increments. The best thing is that these adjustments are so easily reversible we can experiment
with what works best for the horse and rider combination in order to keep the horse comfortable
and the rider in balance with the most effective aids possible!

Another brilliant innovation is the
adjustable stirrup bars on their performance saddle ranges - it is such an great way to personalise the saddles to their riders without having to go down the route of a bespoke or made to measure saddle!

If you’d like to know more, please get in touch. I’m available for checks, new saddles, and I also have a huge range of pre-loved saddles to suit all budgets. I look forward to hearing from you.

17/02/2025

This week I had the pleasure of attending a training day with Albion Saddlemakers. We had a sneaky peak at some beautiful new designs, and also were able to observe and fit their three new trees whilst getting some hands on experience with the new Unity Series to see whether riders prefer the X or Y models - which is all to do with the anterior or posterior pelvic tilt!

Then we got to have a look at the way Albion do their precision templating, which is so interesting.

Altogether I learned a lot, and was able to bring so much new knowledge home to apply to my fittings.

So, if you need a saddle check, or need to replace your saddle with either a new or pre-loved one, please just drop me a message and I’ll be glad to help.

06/01/2025

Good morning and a slightly belated Happy New Year! I hope that 2025 is a healthy and successful year for you and your horse. I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all my clients following the launch of Comfort First Saddle Fitting a year ago. It has been wonderful meeting you all and your beautiful horses, and more successful than I dared to hope for. Your support, recommendations, and kind words have meant the world to me - so thank you!

AND if you need your saddle checked, sold, or if you are looking for a new or pre-loved one, don't hesitate to get in touch - I have a limited number of appointments still available for January!

13/12/2024

Exciting times ahead! 🤩

23/11/2024

Hi all! Can I ask a massive favour? Those of you who have used Comfort First Saddle Fitting, if you haven’t already please would you be kind enough to write a Facebook review for me? It really helps a small business like mine to encourage confidence for new customers. Just click on Reviews and it gives you the option to write one. Thank you - I’d be super grateful!

30/10/2024

So once again it’s been all go at Comfort First HQ! Last week I travelled to Surrey for a training day with my mentor, Ellie Martin of The Bespoke Saddle Company. We spent a day looking at the administrative side of business, as well as consumer law. I then travelled on to Oxfordshire for a tour of the Bates Saddle Factory, where I had a preview of their beautiful new range which will be available in a few weeks.

The rest of the week was spent meeting some wonderful horses and their lovely owners, and making a real difference to their partnerships - I love my job!

Don’t forget, if you would like the fit of your saddle checked (this should be done every 6 months minimum) or you’re looking for a new saddle, then please get in touch. I have an excellent range of pre-loved saddles to suit every budget and if I don’t have what you want, I can try to source it for you. Check out my page for my 5* reviews! I look forward to hearing from you.

22/10/2024

Thanks to the fantastic response to my ad for quality saddles, I now have a fantastic stock of secondhand saddles! All budgets catered for and if I don’t have what you’re looking for, I can try and source it for you! I offer a full fitting service too and can offer appointments as soon as next week.

Please check out my excellent reviews and I look forward to hearing from you!

08/10/2024

Due to recent sales I am currently looking to increase my stock of pre-owned saddles. If you have a saddle that you no longer need, please get in touch so that I can sell it on your behalf.

Anything considered as long as it’s in good, safe condition. I am in particular need of 16.5” and jump saddles.

I look forward to hearing from you.

18/09/2024

Well once again it’s all systems go here at Comfort First Saddle Fitting. Meeting with lovely clients, spending time in the workshop, and making some very exciting plans! I can’t wait to go to BETA International next Monday and look at all the new products that will be hitting the market soon!

But I just wanted to write a little client appreciation post! Last week I went out to see a horse I last saw in April. When I saw him in April he was going round with his teeth gritted and his mouth opened. After a little bit of detective work and some adjustments, in which I widened his saddle by two gullet sizes. That’s a 20 degree angle difference!! Suddenly it was like he took a deep breath out, and he stopped gritting his teeth completely.

So I saw him again last week, and he was like a completely different horse. So calm and relaxed. No teeth gritting, no waiting for a saddle to pinch him. Just stretching over his back, working beautifully. I have so much respect for his lovely owner. It’s so obvious to me that she’s worked so hard to keep this horse happy and comfortable as well as continuing his education at his pace.

So, I just wanted to tell you all about this because the soreness from an ill fitting saddle can show up in such strange ways! Him gritting his teeth was his way of telling us something was wrong. And now he looks better than ever, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this horse!!

23/08/2024

Even on holiday I manage to squeeze in some saddles! Last night we went to see the amazing menorcan horses at son martorellet. And I couldn’t help but quiz the riders on their fascinating saddles. And of course squeeze in some pony cuddles!!

I’m back on the first of September and can’t wait to hit the ground running! Feel free to drop me a message for an appointment.

03/08/2024

What a fantastic week it’s been! Firstly, on Monday I spent the day with Roger, Master Saddler and QSF, at Ingatestone Saddlery Centre in Essex. We completed two full fittings and a check and he showed me around his incredible workshop. I now have workshop envy!!

Then Tuesday it was back in the car to travel to Black Country Saddles to learn all about their different trees and models. It was fascinating to learn about all of the customisations they have available!

I have a small amount of availability for fittings this week! Please feel free to drop me a message to see how I can help!

27/07/2024

Well it’s official! I now take card payments too! I’m so grateful for all of the support I’ve received so far.

Feel free to pop me a message if I can help in any way!

08/07/2024

I had the best time last week on my Qualified Saddle Fitting course. I met so many amazing people! Just one final practical exam to go!

Now taking bookings for the week commencing the 15th of July for quality, affordable saddle fitting solutions.

This week has seen another successful practical component of the Qualified Saddle Fitting course completed. If you have ever thought about becoming a SMS RQSF, think about it no longer - enrolment for our October course is now open. Go to our training website to find out more information and enrol.

20/06/2024

It’s all systems go at the moment! I’m busy in the workshop, out fitting, and working on my theory work for my Qualified Saddle Fitting course at the start of July!! I do have limited availability next week though! And a last minute slot on Saturday!

23/05/2024

Tried my hand at making a TikTok today! Thought it might be interesting to those who haven’t seen the inside of a saddle before! I aim to offer a full re-flock in two or three days so you’re back on board as quickly as possible!

Check out Comfort First Saddle Fitting’s video.

24/03/2024

Well what a week!! I’ve had an absolutely amazing time in Surrey with the wonderful Ellie Martin of The Bespoke Saddle Co LTD. It started off on Wednesday with a saddle fitters training day organised by Ellie, and it was lovely to meet so many other fitters! This included a talk from Leah Wright of Vulcan Veterinary Physiotherapy and Saddlery. As well as a long talk on fitting a saddle to the rider, we talk all about horse saddle fit, but rider saddle fit is just as important! This was followed by two days out saddle fitting with Ellie, I learnt loads and can’t wait to put it all into practice!!

Feel free to message me if I can help in any way!

17/02/2024

It absolutely makes my day to receive reviews like this! I had the saddle for only 24 hours meaning this fantastic little rider could get cracking again straight away!!

02/02/2024

INTRODUCING A BRAND NEW SADDLE FITTING SERVICE IN EAST ANGLIA

Comfort First saddle fitting is a brand-new business offering affordable, high-quality, fully insured saddle fitting services. Please follow my page where you will find my pricing structure. I currently hold my City & Guilds qualification in flocking and flocking adjustments and am working towards my final qualification with the Society of Master Saddlers in a few months.

I am offering saddle checks at the moment and planning to hold a stock of second-hand saddles ranging from £300-£1000 in the near future.

If anybody has any second-hand saddles they would like me to sell on their behalf please don’t hesitate to drop me a message. To book an appointment or for any enquiries please contact me and I will be glad to help.