Jemma Aigner - Balancing Harmony

06/06/2026

Sometimes, to Overcome Trauma, You Have to Face It

One thing that never ceases to amaze me after mant years as a holistic saddle fitter is witnessing horses release stored saddle-related trauma right before my eyes.

It's one of the most humbling parts of my work.

When a horse has experienced discomfort, pain, or restriction from a saddle, they don't just remember it physically, they remember it emotionally too. The body and nervous system are constantly communicating, and horses are masters at storing these experiences as protective patterns.

As professionals, we often spend time preparing the horse through bodywork, groundwork, rehabilitation, and rebuilding trust. All of that is important. But there often comes a pivotal moment when the horse needs the opportunity to discover something new:

"Oh... that doesn't hurt anymore."

For me, that's the turning point.

Science tells us that the nervous system learns through experience. When a horse is repeatedly exposed to a situation that was once associated with pain, but now experiences comfort and safety instead, the brain begins to update its expectations. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows old protective responses to soften and new, positive associations to form.

Sometimes that next step is simply putting a well-fitted saddle on and allowing the horse to process the experience both physically and emotionally. It may lead to groundwork in the saddle before ridden work is even considered.

And then the magic happens.

You see the back begin to lift and fill. The posture changes. The breathing deepens. The muscles soften. The eye relaxes. The horse starts to let go of the armour they no longer need.

Not because they've been forced to "get over it," but because they've been given the opportunity to realise they are safe.

Watching a horse discover comfort where they once anticipated pain is something I will never stop being in awe of. 🥰

Sometimes, healing isn't about avoiding what hurt us.

Sometimes, healing happens when we're finally able to face it and experience a different outcome. 💜&✌️

The proof is in the profile 😉
(The first red line is the horses old saddle 🫣 I think this profile speaks for itself)

LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting

05/06/2026

This is a profile of a very happy 24 year old ex polo pony and the development over 12 months! 😍😍

Saddling holistically and sympathetically can have such a positive impact on a horses overall wellbeing regardless of age and Im so here for that!

Happy horse, happy owners = happy partnerships! 💜💜

LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting

04/06/2026

100% this.... We totally agree with Balance on this at LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting

Here's an effect of saddles that are too narrow.

When I've come across this, the physical and emotional trauma I've felt in the horse has been sickening. The physical damage is done - you can't put back what's gone.

The emotional distress can be enormous and I sincerely believe it's emotional trauma that has built up over many months and/or years, as an unprotesting horse continues to do as asked, despite the problem being exacerbated whenever the rider's weight hits the saddle.

Perhaps they become numb to it over time, and it's only with deep and gentle work that the problem is revealed. I hope that enough of the distress is released for the horse to continue its ridden career with renewed heart.

I've usually been with a new owner when we've come across this, thankfully not that many times, and we've taken heart that the horse knows its needs (and pain) are seen and heard. Sometimes we can't change what's there and what's been done, but we can certainly help with the horse's response to it.

This isn't a new observation - there's a reason Balance Saddles call this the 'junction' - but it's always worth building awareness and *empathy. (Please excuse the limitations of images - it can be hard to find what I need!)

- Dr Jane Clothier

02/06/2026

And that is my why! 🥹🥰

17 year old horse and one year of development! 😍💜 The proof is in the profile!

It doesn’t matter about the age of a horse, what you give room to WILL expand, it's physics after all! 😉🫶

LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting

02/06/2026

This week we chatted to the amazing Rachael Beesley of Equisentient Coaching on all things animal communication!

Have you ever had a communicator?

What did your horse have to say?

Listen here 👇🏼
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0r5AZoNpDNR6CDL1LLSAPQ?si=nmPrsFNdRDWpqsH3RHCVwg

01/06/2026

We encourage healthy back development through holistic saddle fitting! 💜

29/05/2026

"If I stopped doing my thing every time I felt discomfort, I probably never get out of bed"

Resilience physically, mentally, and emotionally has been one of the greatest gifts in my life.

Some of my most challenging moments have taught me that discomfort isn't always something to run away from. Sometimes, it's something to look in the eye with faith, hope, and determination and say:

"Try and stop me."

That doesn't mean pushing through at all costs. True resilience is also knowing when to pause, rest, and recover. It's recognising what your body, mind, or heart needs without surrendering to every uncomfortable feeling that shows up. There is a difference between listening to yourself and giving up on yourself.

Science supports this too. Research shows that resilience isn't about avoiding stress or difficulty; it's about adapting to it. When we approach challenges with optimism and a belief in our ability to cope, we strengthen neural pathways associated with confidence, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. In other words, resilience can be built.

Mindset matters. Our bodies need movement, purpose, challenge, and recovery. Growth often lives just beyond our comfort zone.

Whether we're facing a challenge within ourselves or with our horses, we can choose to meet it from a place of optimism rather than fear. This, to me is what Warwick Schiller's Attuned Horsemanship describes as attunement.....being present, aware, and connected rather than reactive. It's not about forcing outcomes; it's about showing up with curiosity, confidence, and trust.

Working alongside so many horses and riders, I've seen time and time again that empowerment comes from this place. When we approach challenges with resilience, patience, and optimism, both horse and human grow. Confidence isn't built by avoiding discomfort, it is built by moving through it.

My role is to get alongside you both, helping you navigate the journey with encouragement, understanding, and belief in what's possible. Sometimes the road map ahead may look long and not the desired outcome in the moment however when met with love and kindness, it's always worth it in the long run.

Because sometimes the breakthrough is waiting on the other side of the very thing we were tempted to avoid.

💜&✌️

26/05/2026

Its moments like this is why I do it.... and love my job with all my heart! 🥰💜

Exciting day yesterday for Super Ted & his human...

🙌🏼🐎🙌🏼 She is back on board 🙌🏼🐎🙌🏼

But this time with a new saddle fitted the LM way 💜

Ted has had the winter off from being ridden but he has still been out on adventures with us in hand, with his human on the ground, by his side.

Having heard us talk about rainbows and seen the transformation in two of our boys who's saddles are fitted by LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting, she decided she would like Ted to start his own rainbow journey 🌈

She booked Ted in and when our lovely Jemma Aigner - Balancing Harmony & Alana Coxhill - Human and Equine sports therapy, LM saddles consultant came to see him, he was fitted with a wider saddle and LM's shim system pad to allow for movement and room to plump.

Ted is very lucky to have such a kind and understanding human who loves and cares for him deeply. Despite having had regular saddle checks, and a new saddle fitted last year, she just felt something wasn't right. She knows him well. She didn't ignore the little ni**le and listened to her intuition ✨️

Since having his new, wider saddle fitted, instead of rushing to get back on, she has taken time to get him used to his new saddle, time for him to feel how much more room he has to move, walking him out in hand with just the saddle on his back before adding the weight of a rider.

Yesterday she got on for the first time and it was such a beautiful moment to see. Ted was such a good boy and spent some time up front, leading the way for his friends 😍

One of the best parts of MVT are the journeys that unfold here, and the love and support shared within our little family. It is an honour to be a part of their story. Every journey is individual to horse & human but each one just as beautiful and rewarding as the other 💚

Just look at that heartwarming smile 🫶🏼

26/05/2026

Check out this weeks pod!

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2oyPWh1hCrxzBj6tt3R2lz?si=M0xT-S5MRl-bezE73T8ELw