It is a privilege to have been a part of this industry for over 40 years but not to have been heavily involved for all of that time and therefore grown too set in my thoughts and ways. I pride myself on being open minded and embrace that saddle fitting is part of a wider ‘team’ effort that include physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, farriers, nutritionists and Veterinarians.
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I originally qualified as a Master Saddler in 1983, following a four year apprenticeship with Country Fair Saddlers, Edenbridge and Bridleways of Guildford. I started when making bridles and headcollars to stock a shop was the way and we had to hand make every thread we used for stitching using hemp and beeswax and smelting lead to make blocks to use with hole punches in the workshop, a bygone era for sure.....
Attended Cordwainers in Mare Street, Hackney and was awarded a City & Guilds in Saddlery & Harness Making and a Distinction in Lorinery.
Continued in the trade as a bench saddler gaining further experience until the end of the 90's, during this time, other qualifications or experience gained included:
BHSAI
SMS (Society of Master Saddlers) Introductory Saddle Fitting course 1998
Equestrian Buyer at W & H Gidden, London until 1999
Sales rep with internet sensation Kickon.com!!
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Fast forward to present day, after about 15 years of pursuing a range of administrative roles and bringing up a family, in 2017 I decided to go back to an industry I loved. Since then I have revisited and more importantly, updated all my skills and knowledge. Making a dressage saddle and double bridle for membership acceptance into the Society of Master Saddlers (Buttons is modelling them both in the photos)
Attending a huge amount of conferences, seminars, residential courses, day courses, taking tests, exams, being assessed covering topics that include bits and bitting, bridle fitting, biomechanics in the horse and rider, saddle fitting, flocking saddles, equine massage, and many whole horse dissections, mostly with Sharon May-Davis or those trained by her.
Many visits to Walsall (the home of the British leather and saddlery industry) saddle makers and their factories, attending product training days presented by the following brands :-
Albion, Black Country Saddles, Adam Ellis, Harry Dabbs & Jeffries, Ideal Saddles, GFS & Monarch Bates & Wintec, Prestige Italia, Erre Plus (Italy) Fairfax Saddles (including Kent & Masters and Thorowgood) Equipe and Amerigo.
Further qualifications or experience gained included:
SMS Introductory saddle fitting course 2017
SMS Residential saddle fitters course 2018
SMS Flocking course - City & Guilds 2018
ESMT Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist – 2019 - Advanced Practitioner certification in 2021
Gillian Higgins – 2 day Anatomy & Biomechanics for saddle fitters - 2018 & 2020
Horse Fit Bit course – comprehensive intro course into bits and bitting - 2019
Lantra accredited Neue Schule Bit and Bridle Fitter - 2020
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I have a strong ethical view on saddle fitting, I value each persons individual circumstances and will work within their parameters and budget. You will find that I am not a fan of elastic girths, even less so of stud girths, I have preferences in the correct use of numnahs and saddle pads but I will be gently honest with you on behalf of your horse, whose welfare ultimately comes first.
I love my job !
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ELLA SALTER-ADAMS
Registered SMS Trainee Saddle Fitter
Growing up on a dairy farm has instilled in me a strong work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility towards the animals in my care. My passion for animals led me to work my local hunt kennels at the age of 15, where I gained experience in walking out hounds and whipping in during the season in addition to my family's farm specialising in breeding, buying and producing wild native ponies which has given me extensive knowledge and confidence in handling horses.
As a child, I competed regularly in all disciplines with my young horses, and was selected for Pony Club and NSEA school teams in show jumping with my home-produced pony Dixie.
I achieved 8 GCSEs at grade C and above and a Level 2 Business course at college before my studies were cut short due COVID-19. I was fortunate enough to be offered an apprenticeship at the Sussex Equine Hospital, where I gained valuable experience assisting vets with surgical procedures and working within a professional team. After completing my apprenticeship and passing my driving test I set up as a freelance groom.
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Since joining Henrietta firstly as a groom and now as a trainee saddle fitter I have completed the SMS Intro to saddle fitting course and passed the City and Guild flocking course. This year will see me attending the SMS residential training course and continue to work alongside Henrietta visiting clients.