Mid Atlantic Saddlery and Tack Repair

10/13/2026

Smash and I working on our two point muscles while grazing in the sunshine with an audiobook

10/13/2026

One of the last beautiful weather days of the year but we had homework to do on our two point strength.

So we did that practice while grazing around the farm, listening to an audiobook, and enjoying the sunshine. (Is it cheating if we stood uphill for a lot of it? Asking for a friend?)

If I can’t walk tomorrow, it is my own fault.

I hope you all also got to enjoy some horse time with your favorite ponies today!

09/16/2026

Had a great time today with Fiona Cork Saddles getting a deeper education on their trees, saddles and manufacturing processes! This family has deep roots in saddle making and using technology to advance the world of saddle making. (CAD patterning and making their own trees and tree molds)

Even better we got to meet some of their own competition horses and pets since the workshop is on their yard. Stepping outside of the factory to put trees and saddles on the horses in the paddock just out the door, is a magnificent way to see the interaction of the trees and horses’ backs.

Thank you also to the bestest boy Deo for being the best model and tolerating all the saddle and tree swaps. He insisted that Lauren should snuggle him and maybe he could move to America.

09/14/2026

I mean, if Poppy Webber - Qualified Saddle Fitter says it is so, you know it is so!

Well. There we have it. Science has spoken.

After years of speculation, researchers at the highly respected Institute of Magnificent Saddle Research have finally confirmed what we’ve suspected all along.

People who get their saddles checked regularly are, in fact, cooler, sexier and happier than people who don’t.

Dr Neighomi Trotter described the findings as “conclusive”, before adding, “Phwoar. Look at them.”

Obviously I’m not one to argue with science.

So if your saddle hasn’t been checked for a while, this is no longer simply a matter of saddle fit.

Your entire cool-o-meter might also be at risk.

Please seek professional help immediately.

Look for the Society of Master Saddlers badge and use a qualified saddle fitter.

*Results may vary. Institute of Magnificent Saddle Research does not actually exist. Sadly

09/14/2026

We carry the FEI measuring tool on us at all appointments, if you want to know if your bridle set up passes the required test, just ask!

🔬NEW RESEARCH PUBLISHED🔬

A new publication titled “Quantifying Equine Head Morphology: Implications for Lateral Noseband Measurement Tools” authored by Russell MacKechnie-Guire, David Marlin, Jane Williams, Mark Fisher, Diana Fisher, Victoria Walker, and Rachel Murray has been published in the International Journal of Equine Science

Open Access: https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/224/164

This study was funded by the FEI and, together with our previous publication (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11851643/), provides support for the change in noseband measurement location from the side of the head (prior to May 2025) to the nasal bone.


Headlines:
📝Lateral locations were subject to considerable anatomical variability and false positives and are therefore not recommended for determining the laxity of the noseband.

📝The aim was not to provide quantitative evidence for the routine use of these lateral locations, but to identify alternatives for cases in which the dorsal nasal approach may be unsuitable.

Thank you to the FEI for funding this body of work. The FEI were not involved in study design, data collection or data processing.

Abstract
In equestrian competitions, a measuring device passing beneath the noseband on the dorsal nasal bone is used to deter-mine noseband laxity. A supplementary location may be useful should the horse become distressed, or if it is apparent that the outcome of the noseband check is influenced by underlying dorsal nasal anatomy. The study aimed to (1) design and evaluate the application of a lateral noseband measuring tool; and (2) quantify equine head morphology beneath the noseband. A lateral measuring tool was designed (equivalent to 1.5 finger equivalent (Fe)) and tested on thirty-one horses. The lateral tool was inserted beneath the noseband at two locations: the lateral nasal bone and lateral maxilla (rostral to the facial crest). With three repeats per location, the outcome (pass/fail) was recorded. In a subset of twelve randomly selected horses, a 20-mm marker was placed rostral to the noseband. Maxilla morphology beneath the noseband was determined using 3D light scanning. Differences between the left and right sides of the maxilla were determined in 1-cm intervals caudal to the dorsal nasal bone. Compared with 2.0 Fe, the number of unsuccessful lateral tool passes increased significantly in the lateral nasal region at 1.0/0.5/0.0 Fe (all P < 0.001). For the lateral maxilla, a significant increase occurred only at 0.0 Fe (P < 0.001). Significant inter-horse lateral anatomical variations existed, but minimal left-right anatomical differences for the lateral nasal bone were found (P = 0.478). Lateral locations were subject to considerable anatomical variability and false positives and are therefore not recommended for determining the laxity of the noseband.

09/04/2026

The research from ISES actually shows that it takes a horse a minimum of 90 days to start to relax and trust in their new environment. If they have moved a lot and it has been stressful in their previous homes, with big changes in routine, it can take even longer.
When I pulled Tiz from the track I set her out to be a horse from 90 days before we tried any riding, lunging, etc. in the 90 days we hung out. Learned the routine. Hiked around the farm, played in the arena. And she learned when meals were served, that hay goes in that corner, that we would refill her 2 water buckets as often as she drained them, and about cross ties, grooming stalls, and blanket changes. She learned about me, and who her caretakers were.
And she was still sad, melancholy at times because she didn’t understand why she here, where had her grooms and trainer gone? Why wasn’t she at the track that had been home for 3 years. Had she done something wrong? She wasnt done winning, she told me. But we pampered her, and let her be right about things, and gave her time, and she started to shine, and play, and express herself, and blossomed into an amazing mare.

It takes time.

I read somewhere recently that the average horse will have seven different homes in its lifetime.

SEVEN.

And that’s the average...

In my job, I meet horses who are four or five years old and have already had an extraordinary number of homes. And more often than not, somewhere in their history, you’ll find the word ‘naughty’.

Naughty to catch. Naughty to hack. Naughty to mount. Naughty to ride. A ‘naughty’ horse.

But are they naughty?

Or have they simply never had long enough to feel safe?

Horses thrive on familiarity and predictability. Familiar horses, people, surroundings and routines.

And when we sell a horse, we know why.

The horse doesn’t.

One minute he’s in his field with Dave, who he’s spent every waking moment attached to for the last two years. Who’s perfected the art of stealing his fly mask.

The next, some woman he’s never met has put him in a box, driven him three counties away and introduced him to Kevin.

Dave has vanished.

Dinner tastes different.

Kevin is a k**b.

And on Tuesday someone gets on him and seems disappointed that he isn’t immediately living up to the glowing description in his advert.

So perhaps he struggles.

Maybe he’s harder to catch. Anxious when left alone. Tense to ride. Doesn’t want to leave the yard.

‘Naughty.’

So he moves again.

New field. New human. New food. New Kevin.

Of course sometimes horses genuinely aren’t right for their homes, and selling can absolutely be the kindest decision. Obvs.

But sometimes perhaps what a horse needs isn’t another home, rider, bit, saddle or training method.

Perhaps he just needs time.

Time to learn that breakfast happens every morning.

That these horses aren’t disappearing.

That this human keeps coming back.

That the rules aren’t going to change tomorrow.

That he’s allowed to unpack his metaphorical little suitcase.

And maybe, before we ask:

‘What’s wrong with this horse?’

we should occasionally ask:

‘How many times has this horse had to start again?’

Thoughts?

09/01/2026

08/30/2026

I am not a crier, in general.

But sometimes my job is so profound and awesome that I get a little damp in the eyes.

This is especially true when a teenaged girl is struggling with her horse, who she LOVES....but who is displaying pain and displeasure, and drama and that girl feels helpless, and no one seems to be able to solve it.

Just today, I got to meet a new teenaged, first time horse owner who can't figure out why her horse (whom she has had since May) is melting down on each ride. The mare was crawling out of her skin being tacked up, and not a single relaxing happy ride had happened since the horse arrived. Today, we tried 4 saddles, and the mare only allowed one, standing perfectly still to be tacked when it was presented. Rejecting all other offerings with CLEAR communication. When a teenager says, "Take all the extra money from my bank account too, whatever we have to do to get this saddle for her. please" to her mother. I have to look real busy doing something else so I don't make everyone cry with me.

Last week, I had a pair of awesome twins who have a pair of amazing horses who they both love, and who both liked their ba****ck rides in the woods better then doing any ring work towards their big dream goals. One of them got a saddle off the truck, and gushed about how amazing her horse felt and how they were so excited to get out eventing, and the other daughter's saddle showed up this weekend and I can't wait to deliver it asap.

A little over 2 months ago, I had a teenager who has taken her horse to a series of trainers and instructors and body work and it wasn't until a new trainer actually got on the horse and felt the saddle that she realized all the angst was about a total and complete lack of communication because of the saddle. He is now going to shows and learning to have positive experiences and gain strength and confidence. Both of them are smiling every time I see them in their lessons.

A year ago, I met a girl who has been offered other horses by her parent, trainer, friends, etc. but continues to pick her difficult, hard to ride, and impossible to jump young gelding. She didn't want a different easier horse, she wanted this horse to be happy and capable. We got him jumping happily that first fitting and he hasn't stopped since his new saddle arrived.

Each of these girls needed a new well fitted and configured saddle. Each of these girls LOVES her horse, and does everything they can to ensure they are happy. Each of their parents are doing their best, but aren't made of money, and worried about the expense of a new saddle. Every single one of them said they had the best ride of their entire relationship with the horse during our fittings and saddle trials.
Each of these horses needed a different saddle configuration to be able to relax and think and move and behave correctly. And there were a couple of tears, and tons of thank yous.

And 5 hugs. After a saddle fitting. Do you know what it takes to get a modern teenaged girl to hug an adult they don't know voluntarily? I don't mean awkward side hugs that I was prepared for. I mean, big throw your arms at me, and hug me before you burst into tears (and sometimes do that anyway) hugs. I have been floored and honored, and a little teary myself each time.

As a former teenaged horse girl myself, I see these girls, I know them, I WAS them. We all want the same thing - to love our horses and for our horses to know it. Our whole identities get wrapped up in them. And their angst becomes our own, but their joy becomes our too. We love them, and we want them to love us back.

And maybe the only thing I love more then my own horses is this job. Helping horse girls of all ages (and the occasional horse boys) to make their horses happy and comfortable is a gift. A trust that I don't take lightly. Even if somedays I need to carry around a tissue.

*Photo of my own personal emotional teenager Smash and Grab. a 2010 Stakes Winning OTTB with of a dramatic personality*

08/22/2026

We got a new toy!

In the grand scheme of things, this machine takes up 16 square feet of space in our workshop. But it will have a much larger impact on our plans to bring our saddle production to the US.

Our “new to us” hydraulic clicker press was made sometime in the 1980s and has been completely refurbished. Frankly it still looks brand new. It can provide 26 tons of pressure and allows us to cut leather and other materials using steel dies with a level of speed and consistency that just isn’t possible by hand.

It’s not the flashiest piece of equipment we’ll add to the shop, but it’s an important one.

Bringing our saddle production to the US isn’t as simple as deciding to start making saddles here. We have to build the manufacturing capacity to actually do it. For us, that means doing it piece by piece rather than outsourcing the parts that are difficult or expensive.

This press is one of those pieces.

Over the next several months, we’ll be adding more equipment, expanding what we can make in-house, and continuing to work toward the point where a saddle can go from raw materials to finished product right here in our own workshop.

We are still a long way from being able to supply saddles to the entire US (and frankly that’s not our goal) but for our little production, we’re pretty excited about 16 square feet and 26 tons.

07/31/2026

If you are free and have ever had your saddle slip, this is a presentation that will be of great interest to you. Horses are not even and can be made much less even by a lot of factors. The skill of your team matter!

**Sunday Afternoon**

Equine Laterality and its Effect on Equine Health and Performance: from a Biomechanical Perspective

with Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire

Sunday 2nd August 2026 @ 14:00 HRS BST

Do horses turn one way easier than the other? When grazing, do horses have a preference to systematically protract one forelimb limb in advance of the other? What effect does this have on the locomotor system? What effect does this have on riding performance? Over the past decade, quantifying and understanding laterality has become the focus on many research groups. This 2-hour session will discuss laterality and its effect on equine health and performance.

🎟️ To Book https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/equine-laterality-and-its-effect-on-equine-health-performance-tickets-1986986547251?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*1849pxj*_up*MQ..*_ga*NjE0OTYyNjg3LjE3NzU2NTYyMDg.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NzU2NTYyMDgkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzU2NTYyMDgkajYwJGwwJGgw

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