Freedom Saddlery

19/03/2025

A busy day in my Cheshire clinics - at this morning, then on to Tyler Cassells Eventing at this afternoon!
I have been working with both of these lovely humans and their horses for over 15 years - and they are fantastic sponsored riders/coaches - because they genuinely value the Freedom Saddlery offering.

They have both been incredibly loyal to Freedom Saddlery throughout this time, and I have been able to support them through the manufacturers I work with. I’m truly grateful for their support, that they highly value my services.

I cannot recommend these individuals highly enough. Both Emily and Tyler have great standing in their competitive career and particularly with their coaching too.

If you need a coach or rider in Cheshire - look no further!

17/03/2025

Russell MacKechnie-Guire is on point again.
Your saddle fitter should always see your saddle ridden in!

𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗗𝗬𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚

What do you do when you buy a pair of shoes? You select the shoes of choice, try them on and then have a little walk around in them to see how they feel and fit. You wouldn’t purchase a pair of shoes without trying them on and walking in them first. We should afford the same level of detail to our horse’s saddle fit when purchasing a new saddle, or having an existing saddle refitted.

“One of my concerns is that there is a belief that you can fit a saddle statically (without riding), and from an evidence-based perspective, that doesn’t make any sense,” says Russell MacKechnie-Guire. “A saddle that looks in balance statically can behave very differently when it is girthed up, has the weight of a rider and the movement of the horse underneath it. Riders need to ensure that they are present/able to ride for a saddle fitting assessment as riders can’t expect their saddle fitter to make an informed, reliable decision based on the horse stood in the stable.

“We know that lateral saddle slip occurs during motion, particularly in walk and canter and only on one rein and there is no way you can get that level of information from just looking at the saddle on the horse in the stable.”

Russell advises that if you’re having a saddle fit done and the saddle fitter doesn’t request that you are seen ridden in the saddle, you should go as far as terminating that assessment; “it is not acceptable to be able to determine the fit of a saddle without seeing it being ridden in and tested under the conditions in which it is going to be used,” he adds. “So, that should be walk, trot and canter on both reins including circles in a dressage saddle and similarly in a jump saddle but with the added bit of actually jumping in the saddle too. The saddle fitter should stand in the middle of the arena to see the side, front-to-back balance and then in the corner on the long side to see the left-to-right balance. I would advise saddle fitters to use smart phone technology to reinforce what they are seeing providing they conform to GDPR with videos.”

There are rare occasions when you can’t ride the horse during a saddle fitting such as if a horse is recovering from injury that prevents it from being ridden, and if the horse is young and unbacked, but otherwise, every saddle-fitting should include a ridden assessment. Owners need to be mindful of this and challenge the saddle fitter if they say they don’t need to see you ride in it.

“Good saddle fitters should automatically ask you to ride in your saddle, and if they don’t it should be a red flag,” says Russell. “You are paying a reasonable amount of money for a saddle and for the fitting, so you want to know that you are getting a thorough assessment to ensure optimal back health. Given what we know with the affect that saddle fit, design and balance can have on the horse, we are incumbent to ensure that we employ the most detailed possible assessment to ensure the best chances of optimal back health with saddle fit.

“We really must work with our qualified saddle fitters in fitting saddles and avoid the temptation of buying online and fitting by a video or pictures or not at all because the hands-on skills that a qualified saddle fitter have are invaluable to ensuring and safeguarding the horse.”

We all have a duty to safeguard our horses and part of that duty comes discussions. Horse owners need to feel empowered that they can have that relationship with their team to ask that question.

“If your saddle fitter says they don’t need to see you ride in it and you feel uncomfortable demanding that they do, you could say that you want to check that the saddle is comfortable for you as a way out of a confrontational discussion,” advises Russell.

Historically, saddles have been fitted to a horse without a pad or numnah underneath, but thoughts on this have changed.

“It’s fine to see a saddle on the horse without a numnah as a baseline visual, but it’s also important to see it with the equipment that the rider will be using with the saddle because your numnah might have an extra layer of wool which may make the saddle fit differently,” says Russell. “A saddle should be fitted with the girth, pad and any other equipment that will be used. It’s a fit to perform test.”

If you’re having a brand-new saddle fitted, you will go through the same fitting procedure (as a refit) of a static and dynamic assessment, but after an eight to twelve week window to allow the flocking to ‘bed-down’, your saddle fitter should come back to reassess the fit and make any necessary adjustments.

13/03/2025

Testimonials - always very grateful when clients take time to write a message of appreciation! This is from a retired BHSAI so is especially meaningful!

“Just a quick email to thank you for your time and patience with Monty and I on Monday, the appointment was very informative and helpful”
Julie

Taking our time, not putting clients under pressure to buy a saddle, correcting what they have as far as possible, and considering the horse’s own needs (in this case having a roll outside as he was so sweaty from travelling!) are part and parcel of the process at Freedom Saddlery.

12/03/2025

Fitted and supplied by Freedom Saddlery - book a trial ride today!

Where do you think bridle pressure is?
Peer reviewed research shows peak bridle pressure is not at the poll. In fact, it is TMJ pressure that affects the horse’s movement. 
The Fairfax Performance Bridle (GB patents 2517150B, 2540305B & 2544761B) removes the discomfort caused by pressure and improves freedom of movement. This is proven by science.

12/03/2025

Due to cancellations I have two saddle fitting appointments available on Friday afternoon 14 March!

Please book in using the link below as part of your routine horse welfare checks.

https://appointmentandlessonbooking.as.me/

11/03/2025

Why choose Freedom Saddlery as your trusted saddle fitter?

With the plethora of saddle fitters setting up in this area there is a big choice. So why choose Freedom?

Reasons include: the vast number of years experience as a full time saddle fitter, the highest qualification as an SMS Master Saddle Fitter (the qualification includes flocking adjustments), and the broad range of all types of saddles supplied to suit all budgets, and a huge product knowledge gleaned over the years.

The amazing facilities of Whitegate Farm for client’s use - but also more offsite clinics happening near you in 2025. Fully insured, clear Terms & Conditions and an easy to use online booking system.

But of utmost importance is that I remain constantly curious.
A yearning for learning from those who are knowledgeable and whom I deeply respect.
Whether that be saddle fitting, riding, or from the equine medical professions. Working as a team to get the very best outcome for your horse. I will never sell you a saddle if it is not needed or if I feel your horse is compromised in some way and requires further investigation rather than a new saddle!

Totally professional, no short cuts, and a report done for every consultation.

Choose your saddle fitter carefully. Your horse deserves the best.
At Freedom Saddlery you get

11/03/2025

Freedom Saddlery has planned in some offsite clinics near you, with the generosity of some fabulous venues hosting!

Appointments are always available at Whitegate Farm Livery & Training Centre as well.

Please check to ensure my diary is open at home prior to booking in!
For offsite simply select Offsite Saddle Fitting clinics and select your preferred clinic date.

*Cheshire*
19 March am : Emily Watts Equestrian & 3.5 Tonne Self-Drive Horsebox Hire

19 March pm: Tyler Cassells Eventing at Smallwood

*Wirral*
2 April all day : Greasby EC

*Jersey*
4-6 April : Various locations

*Ireland*
19-21 April : Locations tbc

*Anglesey*
14 May all day : Marian Newydd EC

*Lancashire*
17 May all day : Daisy Bank Stables

10/03/2025

Congratulations to Craig Hills Equestrian!

Super results!!

Freedom Saddlery saddle fits all saddles for all disciplines!

Today I headed off to Tyrella for the 2 phase.

I wasn’t 100% sure if I would get my car back in time to go & I had very little preparation so I was on the fence if it was worth going.

However with the car temporarily back in time I decided to go with the mind set of using it as schooling and take each phase as it came and not to wear my watch cross country.

Rita seemed to really enjoy herself and jumped clear in both phases, which I was absolutely delighted with and the lack of preparation didn’t seem to hinder us.

Then this evening I checked the results and it turns out she Won her class 🥇 out of 66 entries.

So a brilliant day all round 🥰

Thanks to Dora & her team for a great day 👏

Freedom Saddlery

05/03/2025

📣 🇯🇪Jersey clients!🇯🇪

📣 4-6 April Saddle fitting and coaching clinics!

📆 4 April pm Aly Mazards
📆 5 April Haie Fleurie and Beauvelandes
📆 6 April Les Ruettes Farm

📣 To book in please use this link and state preferred location. If not based at location arena hire is payable to venue. Link below!

https://appointmentandlessonbooking.as.me/?appointmentType=75051902

Private consultations may be possible at extra cost and requirement for lifts!

Please note times will be given out one week beforehand!

Looking forward to coming back! 🥰

Please share!

01/03/2025

A very happy St Davids Day!

28/02/2025

Does your saddle fitter have insurance?

Does your equine fitter have insurance?

For the first time, anyone seeking an Equine Fitter of a saddle, bit, bridle, or harness has access to an independent and verified list of professionals who may be trusted to hold their stated credentials and to meet insurance, Code of Conduct, and ongoing training requirements.

Not only does this give you peace of mind, but it also protects from potential liabilities, such as injury or property damage caused by the fitter’s actions should need arise.

The Directory is a purpose-built platform designed to showcase those Equine Fitters who meet the eligibility criteria for listing set by the Equine Fitters Council.



Agria Pet Insurance KBIS British Equestrian Insurance NFU Mutual Petplan UK
SEIB Insurance Brokers Shearwater Insurance

28/02/2025

ʜᴏʀꜱᴇ ᴏᴡɴᴇʀꜱ - ᴡᴇ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇʟᴘ!

We want to know how ʏᴏᴜ manage tack for your horse…
Despite this being an important area related to equine welfare and performance, little is known about choices horse owners make regarding tack and the reasons for these choices.

This survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous.

ʟɪɴᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜʀᴠᴇʏ ʜᴇʀᴇ: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/uchartpury/understanding-how-horse-owners-manage-tack

ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇ - Thank you!

By participating you are contributing to an essential piece of research helping to improve our understanding of horse owner behaviours in relation to saddlery and to improving standards of saddlery fit for horse and rider.

23/02/2025

The racing community and well-wishers turn out en masse to remember the life of Michael O'Sullivan 🕊️

18/02/2025

There are many myths that have been going around with regards to saddlery and the use thereof. In this series of posts, I endeavour to sho...