Professional Saddle Fitting in Gloucestershire

Independent Mobile Saddle Fitting Throughout Gloucestershire

 

Saddle Masters provides a professional, independent mobile saddle fitting service for horse owners throughout Gloucestershire. Covering the county's GL postcode areas, from Cheltenham and Gloucester to Cirencester, Stroud, Tetbury, the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean, experienced saddle fitter Ian Taft brings expert saddle fitting directly to your yard.

Whether you are purchasing a new saddle, require your existing saddle checked or are experiencing changes in your horse's behaviour or performance, every appointment is designed to identify whether saddle fit may be contributing to the problem. Our aim is to ensure your horse is comfortable, able to move freely and perform at its very best, while providing the rider with a secure, balanced position.

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Saddle Fitting for Gloucestershire's Equestrian Community

Gloucestershire is home to one of Britain's most active equestrian communities, with everything from family-owned horses and livery yards to professional competition, eventing and National Hunt racing. From the rolling Cotswold Hills and Severn Vale to the Forest of Dean, horses work across a wide variety of terrain and disciplines.

Whether you're competing, hunting, enjoying pleasure rides or simply keeping your horse comfortable, changes in fitness, muscle development, age, weight and workload will naturally alter your horse's shape throughout the year. Regular saddle fitting ensures your saddle continues to fit correctly, helping maintain comfort, freedom of movement and long-term performance.

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Signs Your Saddle May Need Checking

Many saddle fitting problems develop gradually and can easily go unnoticed.

A professional saddle fitting assessment is recommended if you notice:

• Changes in behaviour when saddling or mounting.

• Poor performance or unwillingness to work.

• Bucking, rearing or resistance.

• Uneven sweat patterns.

• Muscle soreness or back sensitivity.

• White hairs or pressure points.

• Difficulty maintaining balance or rider position.

• Changes in your horse's way of going.

Early assessment can often prevent small fitting issues from developing into more significant problems.

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Our Professional Saddle Fitting Service

Every appointment includes a comprehensive assessment of both horse and rider, ensuring recommendations are based on your horse's individual conformation and your riding requirements.

During your visit we will assess:

• Your horse's conformation.

• Muscle development and symmetry.

• Movement in hand.

• Static saddle fit.

• Dynamic ridden assessment where appropriate.

• Saddle balance and stability.

• Panel contact and pressure distribution.

• Rider position and seat size.

• Suitability of the saddle for your chosen discipline.

Following the assessment, you'll receive honest, practical recommendations regarding saddle adjustments, reflocking or replacement where appropriate.

Appointments generally last between 60 and 90 minutes.

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New Saddle Fittings

Choosing the correct saddle is essential for comfort, performance and long-term back health.

As an independent saddle fitter, Ian Taft recommends the saddle that best suits your horse and your riding goals rather than promoting one particular manufacturer.

We supply and fit leading brands including:

• Thorowgood

• Fairfax

• Kent & Masters

• GFS Saddles

• Premier Equine

• PDS Saddles

• Amerigo

• Equipe

• Pessoa

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Existing Saddle Checks and Adjustments

Many saddle fitting problems can be successfully resolved without replacing the saddle.

Where appropriate, we can advise on or arrange:

• Wool flocking adjustments.

• Gullet width alterations.

• Saddle balance corrections.

• Panel pressure optimisation.

• Minor saddle repairs and maintenance.

All recommended work is fully explained before any adjustments are undertaken.

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Why Choose an Independent Saddle Fitter?

Unlike saddle fitters who represent a single manufacturer, an independent saddle fitter can recommend the saddle that genuinely best suits your horse and riding aspirations.

By assessing a wide range of saddle designs and brands, recommendations are based entirely on achieving the correct fit rather than promoting a particular product. This impartial approach helps ensure every decision is made with the comfort, welfare and long-term performance of your horse as the priority.

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Areas We Cover in Gloucestershire

Our mobile saddle fitting service regularly visits horse owners throughout Gloucestershire, including:

• Gloucester

• Cheltenham

• Tewkesbury

• Cirencester

• Stroud

• Tetbury

• Chipping Campden

• Moreton-in-Marsh

• Stow-on-the-Wold

• Bourton-on-the-Water

• Lydney

• Coleford

• Cinderford

• Newent

We also regularly visit neighbouring parts of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, Monmouthshire and the Welsh Borders.

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Why Choose Saddle Masters?

Horse owners throughout Gloucestershire choose Saddle Masters because we provide:

• Independent professional saddle fitting.

• Convenient mobile appointments at your own yard.

• Comprehensive horse and rider assessments.

• Access to a carefully selected range of leading saddle brands.

• Honest, practical advice focused on horse welfare.

• On-site saddle adjustments where appropriate.

• Friendly aftercare and ongoing support.

Every saddle fitting is carried out with the objective of improving your horse's comfort, freedom of movement and performance while helping every rider achieve a secure, balanced and effective position in the saddle.

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Book Your Saddle Fitting in Gloucestershire

We look forward to helping you find the correct saddle fit for your horse, ensuring comfort, freedom of movement and improved performance for years to come.