About me

Based in the South East of England I am a qualified western saddle fitter and can check the fit of your existing western saddle and/or measure your horse for a new western or english saddle.  I can also help you choose the best saddle options and accessories for you and your horse.

I have a  Bachelor's degree in Zoology a Master's degree in Equine Science and hold a certificate in Western Saddle Fitting (Lantra certified). 

I have always had a special interest in horse/rider biomechanics and the effect of saddle fit on the horse/rider interaction.  I am always updating my knowledge  through professional courses and seminars and take a science based approach to saddle fitting which includes the behaviour and wellbeing of the equines I see. You can see a list of my CPD courses below.

I have two ponies kept in a mixed herd on a track management system and use natural horsemanship and fear free training methods.  I ride bitless and barefoot.

Here's a bit more about me.... 

I've been riding since I was 4 years old but didn't have my own horse until I was 41 when I bought Jack, a 17 year old Welsh D who taught me a lot about horses and horsemanship. In 2020 I adopted a 4 year old 13.2hh mare coblet from the RSPCA and my search for a saddle for her started.  Like many cobs she's very short backed, and although only 5' 3" tall I'm long legged and I couldn't find an english treed saddle to fit us both.

I then experimented with treeless saddles, backed her in a Christ Lammefelle  iberica bareback pad when she was 5/6 years old and continued her education in a Ghost treeless saddle.  

I have always had an interest in western saddles as their bigger weight bearing surface is better for the horse but, like many, I thought a western saddle would be too big for my little mare.  When I spoke to Maria from The Western Saddler and realised that we could have the western saddle I'd always wanted I vowed to bring the benefits of western saddles to as many people as possible! 

Oh, I also have a 4 year old welsh x shetland mare called Applejack (also from RSPCA) who is adorable x  menace! 

Email me for  more information on fittings or just to ask a question:

holisticsaddlefitter@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you

Alison

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Continuous Professional Development

23 Mar 2025 - Optimising saddle fir for the rider - Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire Centaur Biomechanics

9 Feb 2025 - The Function of the Hip and Pelvis - Dr Lesley Goff Centaur Biomechanics

8 Dec 2024 - Saddle Trauma, saddle fit basics and an intro to the underbelly of saddle design - Prof Ian Bidstrup Centaur Biomechanics

20 Oct 2024 Girth pain, wither pain & stomach ulcers - Prof Ian Bidstrup Centaur Biomechanics

15 Oct 2024 Saddle Fit - About the Horse USA

Sept 2024 Thoracic sling - Gillian Higgins Horses Inside Out

Feb 2024 Flexible v Rigid Trees Maria Halling, Bradley Walsh

28 May 2023 Evidence Based Saddle Fitting - Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire  Centaur Biomechanics

Dec 2022 Rider Biomechanics - Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire Centaur Biomechanics

Dec 2022 Understanding the Horses Back - Gillian Higgins Horses Inside Out

MSc Equine Science

BSc (Hons) Zoology