Charlotte Gilbert, SMART Saddles Approved Advisor

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Charlotte Gilbert, SMART Saddles Approved Advisor

Approved Smart Saddles advisor offering fittings and test rides across Edinburgh and the Lothians

23/05/2026

What an absolutely fascinating morning at the Scottish Equine Rehabilitation Centre. I Went along with my lovely friend (and client) to watch Mac's first session on the water treadmill. He handled it like a total king and was only a wee bit unsure at first when going on the treadmill. He had no issues with the water or the movement. Good boy Mac!

Watching how much a horse's back moves through the stride cycle was just extraordinary. How could you fit a saddle statically and expect to see how it fits, and how could you NOT expect a back to change shape throughout the seasons. It makes total sense that a saddle which has room to flex is a brilliant way forward and allows the vast movement of the back both laterally, longintudinally and diagonally (I'm sure vets would have a clinical way of describing this but I'm keeping it simple)!

14/05/2026

✨ Weekend Saddle Fitting ✨

This lovely draft cross had the chance to try both the SMART Native and the SMART Elite Event saddles this weekend 🐴💙

Both saddles fitted beautifully, however the Native required additional shimming to achieve the perfect balance and support ✨ The Elite Event, on the other hand, supported this horse comfortably with no shims needed at all 🙌

One of the things I absolutely love about the SMART Elite panel design is just how versatile it is 💫 Even on broader, harder-to-fit horses like this gorgeous draft cross, the panel system distributes pressure incredibly well while allowing the horse freedom to move comfortably and correctly 🐎

Every horse is different, and finding the right combination of saddle, balance, and support can make such a huge difference to comfort and performance 💙

03/05/2026

Kissing spines 💭🐴

Kissing spines is a condition which often receives negative connotations, but it needn’t. KS is when the dorsal spinous processes (the bony parts that stick out of the top of the vertebrae) start to impinge on each other or even fuse together.

KS is normally identified via x-rays but these don’t necessarily indicate the degree of pain the horse may be experiencing. There are a variety of factors which can contribute to KS, including genetics. 🧬

Saddle fit can certainly make all the difference in the management of KS. 🪶

We are proud to say that SMART Saddles can be used throughout the rehabilitation process, allowing topline to develop and allowing the back to move and flex through the stride cycle and begin to recover. ✨🐎

If you’re managing KS, don’t overlook the impact your saddle could be having. Of course, they’re not a “quick-fix” - nor should anything be with KS - but they can be a valuable part of a bigger, vet-led management plan 👩‍⚕️🐴

I was happy to fit a saddle to a lovely customer yesterday and her horse who had recently been medicated for KS. Whilst she hasn’t chosen which of our saddles will suit her just yet, I thought it might be interesting to write about this often misunderstood condition, having managed it with my own horse before he passed last year. 💔

23/04/2026

🧐 Is it time to check your SMART saddle fit?

Your horse’s body is constantly changing… and even the most adaptable saddles need to keep up 👀

✨ SMART saddles are designed to be flexible and forgiving — they move with your horse, not against them.
But here’s the thing… that doesn’t mean you can set it and forget it.

🌿 Spring grass = weight gain
☀️ Summer work = muscle development
🍂 Autumn = condition changes
❄️ Winter = loss of topline

Even with a flexible system, these seasonal shifts can affect balance, pressure, and overall comfort.

⚠️ Signs it might be time for a check:
• Behaviour changes or resistance
• Tightness through the back
• Saddle slipping or sitting differently
• Changes in performance

💡 A Smart saddle gives you a brilliant head start when it comes to fit — but regular checks make sure it’s still working exactly as it should for your horse and for you, right now.

✨ Because the goal isn’t just a saddle that fits…
…it’s a horse that feels amazing underneath you.

💬 Unsure where yours stands? Pop me a message — I’m happy to help keep things on track

20/04/2026

✨ Smart Saddle Fitting ✨

How stunning is this palomino Welsh Cob 😍 A real head-turner with presence to match!

Today we fitted an Elite Dressage Saddle on a rental basis, giving both horse and rider the chance to trial the fit and feel before committing. This is a great option to ensure everything is just right in terms of comfort, balance, and performance.

The rider is really enjoying the saddle so far and likes the idea of going for plain leather flaps instead of the Suprablocks for a slightly different feel and look. One of the best things about these saddles is how customisable they are ✨

From flap style to knee rolls and block design, each saddle can be tailored to suit the rider’s position and preference, while still prioritising the horse’s comfort and way of going.

A lovely combination and a great example of making thoughtful, informed saddle choices 🐴

14/04/2026

Price List 🐴✨

Test Ride (up to 2hrs)
£75 + mileage

SMART Refit (direct)
£75 + mileage

3rd Party Refit
£150 + mileage

💥 Multi-horse discounts available!

⸻

Mileage 🚗

50p per mile:

✅ 0–30 mins – FREE
➡️ 30–60 mins – after 30 mins only
📍 60+ mins – full mileage

⸻

What You Get ✨

✔️ Saddle selection
✔️ Professional fitting
✔️ Aftercare support

⸻

Contact Me 📱💬

Facebook | WhatsApp | Text
⏱️ Quick replies (slightly slower weekends unless booked!)

⸻

My Promise ⭐

Friendly, professional service
🐴 Tailored to you & your horse
💷 Fair, transparent pricing

11/04/2026

🐴✨ Mac's Re-fit✨🐴

What a fantastic refit appointment today with the handsome Mac, who's been through so much! This superstar has bounced back unbelievably after almost 5 months off due to a yard move, and then a critical field accident just 6 weeks ago, which left him with severe muscle damage. 😔➡️💪

It's wonderful to see him in such incredible condition – you wouldn't believe he was critically ill so recently! For Mac, and horses recovering from injury, Smart Saddles play such a vital role in rehabilitation. They ensure comfort and proper muscle development as they regain strength.🛠️💖

Today, after some experimenting and tweaks, we found the perfect fit for Mac and his mum, ensuring he can continue his recovery in comfort and confidence. 🥳

Want to see what goes on during a refit? I've made a video showing you exactly what to expect at your appointment! Check it out below! 👇

📍Charlotte covering Edinburgh & The Lothians.

10/04/2026

I was pleased to be able to help this couple find a SMART saddle to fit both their horses a couple of weeks ago. After testing lots of different saddles, we eventually fitted the native GP to Tiger who is wide and flat backed. This gave client Helen lots of comfort and support, and enough elasticity for their working equitation competitions. I was then pleased to be able to fit the same saddle to Flinn, who is also a cob but just required a couple of small tweaks. Wishing them both lots of fun with their new saddle setup and hopefully with two happy horses!

29/03/2026

🚨 ONE SADDLE… THREE VERY DIFFERENT HORSES 😏🐎🐎🐎

Yesterday’s fitting was a proper mic drop moment🎤

✨ A 14.2 Connemara
✨ A 14.3 coloured cob
✨ A 14.3 Arab

ALL happily going in…
👉 ONE Smart Saddles Elite Event Size 4 👈

Yes, really. No tricks. No drama. Just happy backs and comfy horses 🙌

💥 Why Smart Saddles?
✔️ Fully adjustable – changes with your horse
✔️ Rigid-free system – moves WITH them, not against them
✔️ Even weight distribution – hello happy backs!
✔️ Great shoulder freedom – no more restriction 👏
✔️ Multiple horses, ONE saddle (your bank account says thank you 💸😂)

Three completely different shapes…
ONE saddle…
ZERO complaints 😎

If your horse is changing shape, hard to fit, or you’ve got more than one pony in the yard…
👉 This is your sign 👀

🐴✨

23/03/2026

Who doesn’t love a success story… ✨🐎

The right saddle makes all the difference.

7yo gelding:
• Late start
• Naturally on the forehand
• Previously convinced contact was a personal attack 🙃

After 11 months and multiple saddle fittings, nothing quite worked.

Before ❌
• Hollow behind the wither
• Tight through the back
• Underneck doing a full-time job 💪
• Contact? “Absolutely not.”

After introducing a Smart Saddle 👇

✔️ Topline starting to fill
✔️ Lifting through the back
✔️ Freer through the shoulder
✔️ Contact is no longer offensive (progress 😌)
✔️ More balanced, more uphill

💡 Turns out…
He wasn’t being difficult.
He just couldn’t use his body properly.

Now he’s:
✨ Softer
✨ Stronger
✨ Actually on board with the plan

(Still slightly dramatic over a fence… but we respect the enthusiasm 😂)

🏆 And this isn’t luck…

Smart Saddles are:
• Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation winners
• Built on scientific research and patented flexible design
• Designed to adapt with the horse’s changing shape — not fight it

👉 Funny how when the saddle fits…
suddenly the “training issues” quietly disappear 👀

Same horse — just finally able to move properly ❤️

Address

Midlothian

Website

https://www.smartsaddles.com/

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