Castle House Saddlery

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Castle House Saddlery

Society of Master Saddler's Approved Retailers and Registered Qualified Master Saddle Fitters.
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A family run business with over 30 years experience in the equestrian field, our aim is to provide good quality equestrian products and services at affordable prices. Ranging from everyday clothing and riding equipment to top quality saddlery, there's something for everyone from the happy hacker to the more serious competitor.

28/07/2026

🎉 Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to Burgham International Horse Trials we go!

The trade stand is packed, the van is being loaded with all sorts of goodies and we're looking forward to another fantastic weekend at Burgham Horse Trials.

If you're heading there, be sure to come and say hello! We'll have some great show offers, a fantastic selection of saddles and accessories, and we'll be on hand to answer any questions you have or chat about finding the right saddle for you and your horse.

We can't wait to see you there! 🐴

26/07/2026

Ever wondered why your saddle needs checking again after it's been reflocked? 🏇

When a saddle is adjusted with new flocking, the fibres (typically high-quality sheep's wool) don't stay exactly as they were on day one. As you ride, the wool naturally settles and compacts, gradually moulding to the shape of your horse's back.

This is completely normal - and exactly why a follow-up appointment is so important.

Over the first 6-8 weeks (depending on how much you ride), the flocking can settle unevenly as it beds in. Left unchecked, this can create small hollow areas or pressure points that may affect your horse's comfort and the balance of the saddle.

At Castle House Saddlery, we always recommend a follow-up visit after a saddle has been re-flocked. It allows us to assess how the flocking has settled, make any fine adjustments needed and ensure your saddle continues to distribute pressure evenly and fit your horse as intended.

A well-fitted saddle isn't just about the day it's adjusted - it's about making sure it continues to fit as your horse and saddle settle together. 🐴

23/07/2026

Why does your saddle fitter ask you to trot your horse up? 🐎

Before assessing the saddle, your fitter needs to assess the horse underneath it.

Watching your horse walk and trot in hand allows the fitter to observe their natural movement without the influence of tack or a rider. They will be looking at:

🏇 Straightness and symmetry
🏇 How freely the shoulders move
🏇 The movement of the back and pelvis
🏇 Any unevenness, stiffness or shortened stride
🏇 Posture and how the horse carries itself

This gives the fitter an important baseline. They can then compare what they see once the saddle and rider are added and consider whether any change in movement may be linked to the saddle, the rider or an issue that needs further investigation.

A saddle fitting is about much more than checking whether a saddle appears to sit correctly while the horse is standing still. A thorough dynamic assessment helps your fitter understand how the horse, saddle and rider work together in motion.

22/07/2026

A huge ‘well done’ to our brand ambassador Kate Anderson for securing not one, not two but THREE tickets to the Horse of the Year Show! 🎉

Kate was in action with the talented Junior at the Scottish Home Pony and put in some superb riding over two days to secure her tickets to HOYS. It was a mammoth seven-hour drive for Kate and her mum Julie, but well worth it as she’ll now be contesting the Newcomers, Pony Showjumper and Foxhunter classes in Birmingham this October.

Well done Kate and good luck when the show comes around - we’ll be cheering you on with every stride!

21/07/2026

A business is nothing without amazing customers and brilliant staff, so this review made our hearts sing with happiness! 💛A huge thank you to Jordy Banks for taking the time to share your feedback and we’re thrilled that you’re so happy with your saddle and Kieran’s work:

"Kieran came to fit our little thoroughbred he was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Our saddle didn’t fit, so he gave us our options, and we opted for a new saddle with our horse being young. I am so indecisive and I never felt pressured or pushed into anything - Kieran was so patient, and answered every question I had even the ridiculously silly ones 🫣 !

He was great with my 13 year old daughter who’s horse it is, he was fantastic with my little horse, he kept me updated with the status of my saddle, he worked round my work dates to fit me in. And we are going to book mums horse on with him too, thank you so much for such a wonderful experience 💕

You're a total credit to Castle House Saddlery"

20/07/2026

There are some posts that don't feel right to share straight away.

We had planned to post about Andrea's time at the Great Yorkshire Show yesterday, but in light of the heartbreaking events within the eventing community over the weekend, it felt important to pause and hold in our thoughts everyone affected.

Looking back to the show, it was a privilege to spend time ringside watching so many of our clients, customers and friends enjoying success. There's nothing better than seeing horses and riders performing at their best, and knowing we've played a small part in helping them get there.

One of the highlights was witnessing the legendary John Whitaker take the prestigious C**k O' The North title – a special moment to see in person and a reminder of just how incredible our equestrian sport can be.

Congratulations to everyone who competed at this year's Great Yorkshire Show. We loved catching up with so many familiar faces and celebrating your achievements.

Here's to many more happy days at shows, supporting one another and appreciating the wonderful community that makes our sport so special. 🤍

16/07/2026

🤔 "My last saddle fitter said something completely different..."

If you've ever come away from a saddle fitting feeling confused because you've received conflicting advice, you're certainly not alone.

In our latest blog, Andrea explores why qualified saddle fitters can sometimes reach different conclusions, why saddle fitting isn't an exact science and how to make sense of differing recommendations without losing confidence in the process.

It’s a topic that many horse owners have experienced, and one we hope a read will leave you feeling better informed the next time you book a fitting.

You can read the full blog via the link in the comments below!

14/07/2026

Has your horse changed shape this season? 👀

You might not have noticed... but your saddle probably has.

With more miles on the clock, changing grass, harder ground, fitness work, competitions and even the summer heat affecting condition, many horses look very different now compared to when the season started.

A saddle that fitted perfectly in the spring can quickly become less than ideal, and often the signs are subtle:
🐴 A reluctance to go forward
🐴 Changes in behaviour when tacking up
🐴 Uneven sweat marks
🐴 Loss of muscle over the back
🐴 A dip in performance or willingness to work

Don't wait until your horse tells you there's a problem.

A regular saddle check helps ensure your horse stays comfortable, can work correctly through their back and shoulders, and perform at their best throughout the season.

When was the last time your saddle was checked?

13/07/2026

🐴 Good luck to all our clients and friends competing at the Great Yorkshire Show! 🐴

The countdown to one of our favourite local events is nearly over, and we can't wait to follow all the action over the next few days. To everyone heading to Harrogate to compete, we wish you and your horses the very best of luck!

Andrea is visiting the show and she'll be keeping an eye out for plenty of familiar faces. If you see her, don't forget to come and say hello! 🍀

10/07/2026

"My horse isn’t showing signs of discomfort, so my saddle must fit just fine!"

It's something we hear quite often, but the reality is that horses are incredibly good at adapting and compensating.

Many horses continue working in saddles that aren't fitting correctly without showing obvious signs of pain. Instead, the clues can be much more subtle: a slight reluctance to work forwards, difficulty bending one way, changes in muscle development, shortened stride length or a gradual decline in performance. Sometimes there are no obvious signs at all until the problem has been there for some time.

That's why regular saddle fit checks are so important. As highlighted by the Society of Master Saddlers, a horse's shape can change throughout the year due to age, fitness, workload, weight, rehabilitation or simply the seasons. A saddle that fitted perfectly six months ago may no longer be the right fit today.

A well-fitting saddle isn't just about preventing discomfort - it's about allowing your horse to move freely, develop correctly and perform at their very best.

If it's been a while since your horse's saddle was checked, we'd be happy to help. A professional assessment can give you peace of mind that both you and your horse are as comfortable as possible.

Address

Low Jobs Hill
Crook

Telephone

+441388417170

Website

http://www.castlehousesaddlery.co.uk/

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