Martin Wilkinson Saddlers has been involved for some time in the Pliance testing which the Society of Master Saddlers has been carrying out on the pressure which various saddles and designs has on the horses' back. The most recent research has revealed some shocking results on the pressure created when a rider mounts from the ground and we feel it is important to share these results with our customers as it should definitely influence how you mount your horse.

5 riders mounted 2 horses using different techniques and the results were that:

1. On several tests, more than double peak pressure was recorded than when jumping a 1.40 meter fence!

2. The saddle moved across the horses' spine alarmingly causing discomfort and pressure (and by the way damaging the saddle!)

3. Pressure on the horses' back was in an almost identical position whoever and however they mounted.

4. Technique rather than fitness played a big part - the results were better when the rider pushed up using their legs rather than pulled up using their arms.

5. Position of the riders' hands dramatically affected readings - the worst being left hand on the pommel and the right on the cantle, the best being the left hand on the wither and the right on offside of the saddle behind the flap.

6. A supported mount from a low block nearly halved the pressure exerted by all the riders.

7. 'Bouncing' when mounting from the ground causes more leverage on the saddle and increases pressure on the spine.

8. The greater the difference between the height of the rider and the height of the horse has proportionally far greater impact on the results than technique, weight or agility.

9. Mounting from a high block so that the rider can more or less step across onto the saddle gave the lowest pressure readings.

Interestingly also, using a Prolite pad significantly reduced pressures but using a longer stirrup length did the opposite - it significantly increased the pressures.

So the message is always whever possible use a mounting block to reduce twist to the saddle and discomfort on your horses' spine!!

We are pleased to announce that our next visit to the Channel Islands will be 15th - 19th April 2010. Martin and Kate will be in Jersey from 15th to the 17th and Guernsey on the 18th and 19th. Please call the shop on 01727 821020 or, for Jersey, Andrew Gardham on 07797833335, to make an appointment for saddle checks and fits. New and old customers are very welcome and we look forward to seeing you.

We are delighted that Andrew has decided to carry on his association with us and look forward to many more years of successful collaboration.

Martin and Kate will be making another of their visits to Jersey and Guernsey this coming weekend - Jersey on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd January and Guernsey on 24th and 25th January. Pleas note a change in the mobile phone number for Channel Islands customers - it is now 07733 282021.  If you would like an appointment would you please call either the workshop on 01727 821020 or the mobile phone number or, for Jersey, Andrew Gardham on 07797 833335.

The sad news is that after two very happy and successful years of our association Andrew has decided to hand the baton of Jersey agent over to someone else and concentrate on his teaching and competing. Please see vacancies page if you are interested in taking over from Andrew.

All of us at Martin Wilkinson Saddlers would like to wish our customers past, present and future a very Happy Christmas and an even better New Year . We hope that all your aspirations with your horses and ponies are fulfilled whatever they may be and we will continue to help you achieve your goals. We are currently streamlining our appointments process and implementing a new computer system which should make that process quicker and more accurate.

The more eagle eyed of you will have noticed that we now have a blog page on the website and at the moment our two regular contributors are Jo Aston, an international event rider who we sponsor and Beth Turnbull who now has Ruckham Chester on loan. Both will post regular updates on progress with their horses and training but at the moment it's all just snow, snow, snow!

Following a very successful year and half on loan to Issy Whiting, Ruckham Chester our dressage pony has found a new rider. Issy was very successful with Chester, amongst other successes achieving qualification to the Summer Regionals at Elementary Restricted and being part of the Byrds Eastern Team at the 2009 Home International. But sadly Issy's legs grew and Chesters' didn't! So now Chester is going to Beth Turnbull in Hertfordshire who is the same age as Issy (13) but whose legs are not as long. We wish Beth an equally successful career with Chester and will chronicle her and his progress on our blog page. Chester will remain the model for the Cygnet saddle so should you want to find out more about the saddle then do please chat to Beth and her mum Liz at shows and she will be pleased to tell you all about it.

Those of you who have phoned recently will have noticed a new voice! We are delighted to welcome Sarah Wilkinson to the team. Sarah will be handling Martin's diary initially, with Kirsty and Berrys' being handled by Lauretta. The surname is no coincidence as Sarah is Martin's younger daughter and having been completely brought up with the business (she spent her baby years in a cot in the workshop!) it should take her no time at all to get up to speed. Rosemary, following her illness has decided to take a back seat and will now be running the website and HR function. Thank you to all customers who wished her well and she would just like you to know that she is now well on her way to recovery

A longstanding client of Martin Wilkinson Saddlers, Minette Rice-Edwards of Ham House Stables has recently launched a very well received DVD entitled 'Understanding the Art of Riding'. In the DVD, Minette uses her lifetimes' experience to show how everyday riders with ordinary horses can dramatically improve their performance by more effective communication. She reviews the basic principles of successful riding and shows how the riders' position affects the horses' balance. It deconstructs and simplifies the art of riding and gives the viewer clear, concise explanations that are not only absorbing to follow but are also a delight to watch. Minette has taught all over the world and says "My aim in teaching is to help the rider to a clearer understanding of how to make optimum use of his or her own body and the effect it has on the horse. The more advanced this process becomes the less effort is involved and the greater the freedom of movement for both horse and rider'.  For more information go to www.art-of-riding.com  Definitely a must for everyone's Christmas present list!!

Martin Wilkinson Saddlers is pleased to announce that for the remainder of the 2009 eventing season we will be sponsoring Jo Aston.  Jo is based in Great Tew. Oxfordshire and several horses competing at all levels.  Jo will be giving us a regular update on her competiton progress which will be posted here.

We already sponsor Anna Ross-Davies in dressage and information about Anna can be found on her own website annarossdaviesdressage.co.uk or on the celebrity blog section of horsehero.com

Martin Wilkinson Saddlers are pleased and honoured to announce that we have been awarded the 2008 Albion Retailer of the Year Award.  We have worked closely with Albion Saddlemakers for a number of years and this is the second time we have been given this recognition.  We are an Albion 5* retailer and we are very pleased to continue our asssociation with this prestigious and innovative company.