I started riding when I was 10, at a riding school in Helsinki, Finland. I rode the riding school horses for some 5 years, then started doing regular dressage classes and hiring private horses for hacking etc. I desperately wanted my own horse but my family could not afford to keep one – I had to wait for another 25 years before I finally got my very own horse! But now, I have four horses
It was first on Kelly Marks’s Intelligent Horsemanship courses that my attention was drawn to correct saddle fitting and to how many problems a badly fitting or a poorly made saddle can cause. Since then, I have been hooked on the subject, studied it in great deal and participated in saddle fitting workshops with Dave Johnson of the Saddle Company and Kay Humphries. Finally, I was given the opportunity to train with Vicki Dunster, who started Better Saddles, and to carry on her fantastic work and reputation.
Better Saddles was born from Vicki’s passion for showing riders the dramatic difference that a correctly fitting and comfortable saddle can make to the physiology and mental welfare of the horse. In fact, not only the horse will benefit – a rider who is in balance and comfortable will also help their horse to work better.
A good saddle is not, of course, the instant answer to all problems. As a holder of the Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate of Horsemanship and having trained with Ben Hart on positive reinforcement and clicker training; I can help people and their horses to better understand their partnership, and overcome any behaviour problems that may have been an issue for years. By combining my saddle fitting skills and my horsemanship skills, I will be able to help horses and their owners towards discovering harmony in horsemanship.
At the front of the panel you can see the point pockets which the points of the tree locate into. These pockets help to locate the panel onto the tree.
is an ideal tool to help identify saddle fitting issues like these. Lumps, bumps, tightness and extra pressure area will all show up in the mould-able putty after riding with the Impression Pad between your saddle and the horse.
Here’s another feature we are not keen on. Notice how the leather attached to the upper D ring in the picture hasn’t been trimmed back and overlaps onto the metal strengthening at the back of the tree. This creates another bump to be transmitted through the panels to the horse’s back.
Another finishing touch we’d like to have seen is for the trailing edge of the metal reinforcement in the front arch of the tree to have been filed down to give a smoother edge. It is this attention to detail that makes all the difference between a poor saddle, likely to damage the horse, and a quality product.
And we are left with the seat and skirt.
And underneath a thick hessian layer that provided the base for the latex we’ve just taken off.
We are now down to the basic tree and webbing. The webbing provides the support for the rider and is fixed under tension. It is down to the skill of the saddler to try and get equal tensions in each strap as different tensions may over time cause the tree to twist.
offer top quality saddle related products.
You were a huge help to me when I was making a big decision – long distance – re the saddle and your specialised knowledge and advice was absolutely essential for me to make the investment – which proved to be so successful and worked so well for me and Merlin.
Thank you so much for quick despatch and delivery really good product too I will definitely use you again.
I just wanted to say a big thank you for such speedy delivery and process of my order. I am really happy with my goods. I was informed that my order had been confirmed and when it had been shipped which is customer care that I have not received from all online horsey websites. The goods are of great quality and I will definitely be purchasing from you again. Thanks again.
After many enquiries to other non responsive suppliers in UK I found Bettersaddles, and a Better Service! Prompt response to email enquiry followed by a helpful telephone conversation and items arrived within 48 hrs which meant I could have that long awaited ride on my youngster. Thank you Mariaana I would recommend you for your 5* service.
I am so pleased that I made the decision to contact Mariaana at Better Saddles to help me purchase my first treeless saddle. She was very helpful and always quick to reply to my emails. From placing the order to putting the saddle on my pony was less than 2 weeks and I am so pleased with it. I have a feeling that this won’t be he last order I place with Better Saddles! Thanks again.
We are very pleased to announce that Better Saddles is now the official UK importer of Torsion treeless saddle and Equitex range of saddle pads.
You can contact Better Saddles on 07771 920131 Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm.
