Saddles Direct

🦴 The Science of Where a Saddle Sits 🦴

The saddles tree point should sit around 2 inches behind the scapula, with the tree ending in front of T18 (the last thoracic vertebra), since the unsupported lumbar area just behind it can't carry weight. The panels themselves rest on the longissimus dorsi, the large muscle running either side of the spine, while staying clear of the trapezius near the withers so the shoulder can move freely underneath. 🐴

Understanding the anatomy under the saddle is the first step to understanding why fit matters so much! 📐🐴

Want your saddle checked against your horse's own shape? Call us on 01995 642 102 or head to the link in bio💬

☀️ Summer Sale: Make the Most of Free Trial Extensions & Shipping ☀️

Our Summer Sale is on, and alongside our sale prices, it's the perfect reminder of just how useful our free trial extensions and free shipping on trial saddles really are when you're finding the right fit! 📐🐴

⏳ Why trial extensions matter: Sometimes five days just isn't enough, your horse might need time to settle into a new saddle, you might want a second opinion, or the weather might mean you haven't had a proper chance to ride in it. An extension means you're not rushed into a decision, giving you the time to be genuinely confident before you commit.

📦 Free shipping on trials: No extra cost to try a saddle at home, on your own horse, in your own environment, which makes all the difference compared to trying one briefly in store or at a yard visit.

👉 How to take advantage: Simply request your trial as normal, and if you feel you need more time once it arrives, just get in touch with our team before your trial period ends and we'll happily extend it for you. No stress, no pressure, just time to get it right! 🥰

Finding the right saddle shouldn't feel rushed, and with sale prices too, there's never been a better time to start the search. 🐴

📲 Shop the sale via the link in bio, or call us on 01995 642 102 to get your trial started 🐴

Hey pssst… 👀 Summer Sale… free trials and trial extensions 😉🫶🏻

🍕 Food + Saddle Brand = Your Horse's New Show Name 🍕

Pick a food, pick your saddle brand, and let fate decide your horse's ridiculous new show name. 😂 The sillier the combo, the better!

👉 Comment your combo below, we want to see what you get! 🐴

❓ The One Thing Our Fitters Always Ask Before a Fitting ❓

Before any saddle fitting begins, there's one question our fitters will always ask first: is your horse sound?

Soundness is genuinely one of the most important factors in getting an accurate fit. If your horse isn't moving correctly, even something as simple as a mild lameness, it can change the way they carry themselves and use their body. This can cause the saddle to sit unevenly, slip, or move around while you ride, not because the saddle is wrong, but because your horse's way of going has temporarily changed.

🚫 We will not fit an unsound horse. If we feel your horse isn't moving as they should during a fitting, we'll always be upfront about it and pause the fitting rather than pushing ahead. It's important to say that our fitters aren't vets, we can't diagnose lameness, but we are trained to observe a horse's way of moving, and if something doesn't look right, we'll refer you to investigate further with your vet before continuing.

Fitting a saddle to a horse who isn't sound can mean you end up with a fit that looks right on the day but doesn't actually work once they're back to full soundness, or worse, masks an issue that needs addressing first.

👉 The takeaway: always make sure your horse is sound before starting a fitting, and trust your fitter if they raise a concern, it's for your horse's benefit.

Got a fitting coming up? Give us a call on 01995 642 102, we're always happy to talk it through beforehand. 💬