Sept 12-17^th 2011

I’m Just a fter listening to the Ireland Australian Rugby match. Thanks to the Robert’s internet radio Georgie got me for Christmas I was able to hear the comentary from a different perspective having tuned into Radio Sport New Zealand.Excellent match it was too.

I just can’t say enough in favour of those internet radios, any station, any where, any genre. Makes a huge difference from the “The End is Nigh!!” radio we are force fed from our own staions. It’s not that their commentary is rose-tinted or deluded but there is a balanced view given that seems sadly lacking here.

So this week in the workshop I’ve had a busy week. Most unusual piece in for repair was a formerly beautiful leather lunging roller that had been chewed to bits but not by the usual suspect, Fido or Ned the nag, no. This one came into the work shop looking like it had been through a well oiled mincer had fallen victim to the yard cat. I’ve never seen it before but the 4 long straps on the roller were completely chewed to bits. Not a particularly expensive job to repair but unfortunately little Felix didn’t stop at the strap and went on to Gnaw half way up the pad. Fixed and out the door I’m afraid I didn’t get a chance take any photos. The owner said if he hadn’t caught the cat in the act he wouldn’t have believed it. Me neither.

Now the other one that came in was a biggy.

Suspected broken tree in the saddle.

I was hoping that I’d get a bit more practice at this blog business before I had to go into this. As one of the biggest most complex job that can come into our wokshop in Saoirse Saddlery, or any saddlery workshop I have decided to break this one up into more bite size pieces.

The Diagnosis.

The rider began noticing some unusual noises coming from the saddle after many years of good service for the Pessoa close-contact show jumping saddle.

After a number of weeks a sore appeared on the horses back, which led the rider to approach me at a show which I happen to be riding at.

A quick look at the horses back told me there was a serious issue with the saddle.

Initial examination showed a weakness in the front of the saddle and a small protusion almost breaking through the leather in the seat.

So there was nothing for it but to get the saddle into the workshop and strip it down and see what was really going on. 

Unfortunately for the rider the news wasn’t good when we opened it up.

For a saddle that on the outside only showed the small tear in the seat, it turned out to be as bad as it can get. I’ll leave it at that for this week and up-date you on the progress next time. 

If you have any questions or concerns relating to this post/subject don’t be afraid to get in contact. Through this medium, e-mail or call to the Saoirse Saddlery workshop in Ballinasloe

Untill next week stay passionately commited to your goals.

Kind regards

Alan Ward, Saddler, Saoirse Saddlery.

This is the saddle as it looked in the Saoirse Saddlery workshop

5-10 September 2011

This week saw an uptake in the rain so we are seeing more rugs coming in for wash and repair.

If what we are hearing on the radio is to be half true we’re in for another tough winter.

Most interesting case this week was a client with a lovely Stubben saddle. Far from being new this saddle looked to be a good age and what was more evident was that it had been musch loved over it’s working life and as a consequence had a lot more life left in it for the lucky owner.

It seemed though as there were a few issues that need to be addressed.

 The owner had a Physio out (look up Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists www.iscp.ie for your nearest Chartered Physiotherapist in Veterinary Practice) and it seemed that the saddle was pinching the spine along the length of the saddle where the gullet was too narrow.

Also the knee-rolls were no longer sufficient, due to age and wear on the saddle, to support the riders leg in the saddle during more demanding sessions.

So the needs were two-fold; widen the gullet of the panel of the saddle for the increased comfort of the horse, while at the same time make new knee rolls and cover them in leather.

With cases like this I am at pains to remind myself ,of not upsetting the balance of horse and rider comfort on one hand while giving the rider the utmost chance to give their aids effectively.

I started by removing the panel and taking in the gullet just enough on both sides.

Then due to the unusual colour of the saddle I had to have some leather brought in especially to get as close a match as possible to cover the newly made knee rolls.

When It was all put back together I’m pleased to say the result was a happy client and a much more comfortable horse.

Don’t forget that you can always ask questions or advice through this medium, over the phone or at our workshop.

Untill next week, stay passionately committed to your goals

Kind regards

Alan Ward

Saddler

Saoirse Saddlery

I’ve decided to keep a Blog on what goes on in the workshop to be updated on a weekly basis.

I see quite a lot of interesting cases from what can be called routine maintanence to refits and rebuilds.

On occasion people have said to me, had they known what was possible in the line of repairs and adjustment that it could have helped them and their horse sooner.

Often these adjustments and alterations can have quite dramatic results in the way the horse responds and how the riders feel in the saddle.

So who ever reads it,if anyone does, I hope you can learn to appreciate what a vital role your saddle plays in the relationship between you and your horse and pony.

Kindest regards

Alan Ward

Saddler

Saoirse Saddlery

We recently got a good as new Wintec Dressage saddle in for sale.

It’s fitted with a medium gullet and it also has the “CAIR” system built in.

We sold this saddle originally about 2 years ago and it’s as good as new.

Included in the sale is the original cover and a Winte Dressage girth.

I have LOTS more photo’s for anyone that’s interested.

E-Mail – alanvward@gmail.com

Call 0909644811/0878599777

Offers over €250 will buy this AS NEW saddle

Optimus Close Contact Saddle

 As a saddle maker I am super fussy about what saddles I sell, but after taking in the new Optimus range from

Optimus Dressage saddle- Call 090 9644811 for details

Shires, I can only say one thing, Try Them.

An all purpose saddle, high on quality but at an affordable price. The soft hide covering allows for long comfortable hours in the saddle whilst the central seat puts you in the right position.

 Featuring recessed stainless steel stirrup bars, knee roll and soft hide covered knee pads and a cut back head. The changeable gullet system enables this saddle to be adjusted to fit almost any horse. 

Shires have long been known for producing quality products at realistic prices. The OPTIMUS saddle range is no exception.

Shires have combined the best features from all the leading saddle brands on the market, and added additional innovations, and produced a range of saddles at unbeatable prices. The saddles feature a soft leather hide covering and are available at a price comparable to many synthetic saddles or second hand leather saddles.

The cut back head and interchangeable gullet system mean that when your horse’s condition alters or you change your horse, you do not necessarily have to buy a new saddle. The rider can simply remove one gullet bar and replace it with either a narrower or wider one in the time it takes to change four screws. The fitting of the saddle can quickly and easily be adjusted and at a cost of only €15.99 for the new gullet plate!

We are delighted to stock the optimus General Purpose and the Optimus Puissance close Contact saddle at just €519.99

Sizes: 16 ½ “, 17″, 17 ½”, 18″
Colours: Black, Havana, Havana/White Stitching.

Spare gullets available Shires Optimus Gullet plate

To view the range call in to our store in Ballinasloe, or open the MailOrderCatalogue link in the black bar above.

The Point two Air Jacket

As well as the obvious protection from shock absorption, the jacket distributes pressure and above all, effectively supports the spinal column so that the neck and trunk have limited movement.For your protection, a simple “click” is all it takes to connect you to the saddle.If you are unseated or thrown from a horse the airbag system is designed to be effective in 0.1 seconds The Lanyard of the jacket connects with the nylon stirrup straps at the front of the saddle. After the rider has mounted the saddle, he or she clips the 2 ends together.

The Lanyard enables full movement in all directions for the rider. The airbag will only be activated if the rider is separated from the horse. The airbag jacket will then inflate within 0.1 seconds, protecting the all important areas of the body, the collar of the neck, ribs and coccyx.The new system means that your jacket will be fully inflated after activation in 0.1 of a second, so should inflation begin from as little as 25cm from the ground your Point Two Air Jacket will be inflated before you impact the ground.The jacket is completely reusable by replacing the CO2 gas cartridge. The highly resistant polyester fabric Jacket or Gilet can be brushed or sponged down to remove stains. The clip below shows a real fall but rest assured that the rider was unharmed afterwards as difficult as it is to believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPEtYY9b034