It is widely accepted that in wild horse populations there are seasonal fluctuations in body weight, predominantly due to the availability of food. There is generally more food available from spring through to autumn than there is over winter, resulting in weight gain and fat store development, which is then utilised over the winter months as a source of energy. In the domestic horse population these variations in the fat stores may be less dramatic as their food intake and body condition are more closely monitored and controlled, however research has shown that the fat stores do increase over the spring and summer in many horses. Horses that are in higher intensity training or that undergo prolonged exercise over the summer months compared to the winter months may experience a reduction in their fat stores, this is because they will utilise the fat stores for energy which has built up during the time of lower intensity exercise or if they have had a winter break. There is a lot of focus on preventing your horse or pony from becoming overweight in spring and summer to reduce the risk of health issues such as Laminitis, however very little attention is drawn to the effects that these seasonal changes in the fat stores and muscle mass from inconsistent exercise regimes have on saddle fit, which has a direct influence on horse welfare and performance. With the limited research available, it shows that the seasons have a significant influence on back measurements of horses, with a narrowing of the measurements over the winter months (October-February) and broadening out again from March onwards. The changes in seasons frequently reflect a change in the exercise regimes. The intensity, duration and frequency of training are all contributing factors to horses back measurement changes through fluctuations in muscle mass as a response to exercise. It is imperative to consider saddle fit when there are changes in exercise, feeding and management of horses, which will often occur as the seasons change. Saddle fitting is a process requiring attention to detail and patience to ensure optimal results. A thorough assessment of both horse and rider should be undertaken to understand the whole picture and is a process which should not be rushed. Understanding any veterinary, physiotherapy, osteopathy and farrier history highlights any particular areas requiring more maintenance, which in turn may impact how the horse moves under saddle. It is also important to understand any medical history relating to the rider. As more research is being undertaken, findings are starting to show that asymmetric riders are causing asymmetries in horses, which will have a direct impact on saddle fit as the saddle is an interface between the horse and rider.

2024 was a year of growth and celebration for Sue Carson Saddles. We expanded our saddle range with the launch of two innovative new dressage saddles. Our talented team of horses achieved some impressive results with multiple Area Festival wins and championship placings. We were incredibly proud to see so many of you at various championships and to be part of your journeys to success! We enjoyed connecting with you all at many prestigious events and hope to do the same again this year. We have exciting plans in store for 2025, stay tuned for updates!

Cold weather should not freeze your riding ambitions. At Sue Carson Saddles, we believe that with the right preparation winter riding can be productive and enjoyable.

From a full hysterectomy on 20th November 2024 to returning competing in just eight weeks and becoming Reserve Regional Advanced Medium Gold Freestyle Champions.

With a torrential amount of rain experienced at the start of the Championships week it was down to the hard work of the Arena UK grounds team to keep the show on the road! They did just that and an amazing experience was had by all at the Petplan Equine and Sue Carson Saddles Championships.

We were delighted to see many of our customers had qualified for this prestigious event and were in with a chance to contest many of the titles on offer. Despite experiencing every season across the four days of competition spirits were not dampened at this years championships.

This weeks Quickfire Question series features eventing duo Sian Barton and Adam Morgan. Sian is our very own Northern based saddle fitter and her partner Adam compete up to 4*.

The next rider in our Quickfire Question series is dressage rider and trainer Naomi Aguilar. Nay is based in Jersey and is training towards Grand Prix and actively competing her spotted pony, Enzo,  at PSG. 

Next up in our Quickfire Question series is International Grand Prix Dressage rider and SDU founder Steph Croxford. Steph currently has one horse she is competing Internationally and an exciting, up and coming youngster you will see her out competing in the near future. 

We thought it would be good for you to get to know some of our brand ambassadors and the team at Sue Carson Saddles. First up in our series of Quickfire Questions is Niamh Richardson who events her own Cartown Bonny Bell (Queen B).

Often the girth is completely overlooked, or at most it’s selected for its colour, appearance or the best aesthetic match to the saddle.This post will look specifically at one type of girth, the short length girth, almost solely used for dressage saddles and now widely used on jump or event saddles.

There is a whole army of competitive riders out there who have perfected the art of travelling and competing alone with their horse. They don’t have the luxury of a regular groom, or family and friends to support, assist or simply provide some moral back up. We’ve handpicked 7 top tips to make your life easier if you are a “solo” competitor, or if you’ve never ventured out on your own, hopefully this will make it seem less daunting.

Regardless of the discipline you compete in, preparation and organisation are always a key building block to success.  With the Summer season now in full swing here are 5 essential tips to get you to the arena with minimal stress.