SMS
Equine and Canine EQUINE
Equine and Canine EQUINE
I offer a unique set of services to ensure you and your horse are set up for comfort, wellbeing and performance by combining Bodywork (which is like equine sports massage) and Saddle Fitting/ Repairs. Discounts are available for Session Bundles of 3 or 6 sessions pre paid, and for Yard Day or Multi Horse visits.
I work with sports horses to optimise performance in any discipline, and lesiure horses any any level of work, and rehabiliation from injury. Even horses just hacking will benefit from a well fitted saddle, and good muscle health will support them to enjoy their work. I am happy to provide services to horses of any age, bodywork can be particularly enjoyable for older or retired horses.
My Gait and Thermography service is a great option if you would like support assessing any issues in performance and or soundness prior to a vet call out, or just for peace of mind. You can add your dog to any booking, I offer both Bodywork and Gait and Thermography as Canine Services.
I am based just outside Ashbourne, Co. Meath but travel across Ireland. There is a travel fee for some counties which can be seen on my Travel Zoning section, and you will be prompted to select your zone at booking.
My Saddle Flocking and Repairs services are carried out in my workshop at home, and you do not have to have had an assessment with me for reflock or repairs.
To find out more about what McTimoney bodywork is, why to choose a Society of Master Saddlers Saddle Fitter for your saddle fitting and repairs, and frequently asked questions please see the How It Works page.
If you dont see what you are looking for click on bespoke, or if would just prefer to chat, just get in touch using the WhatsApp and contact buttons at the bottom of the page.
If you dont see what you are looking for click on bespoke, or if would just prefer to chat, just get in touch using the WhatsApp and contact buttons at the bottom of the page.
Before the first session I will need to understand some key information about your horse's job, health, current saddle, and your own preferences and needs for a saddle/s.
Ideally this is by client form as this maximises your session time, but can be done at the start of a session in person with you. Depending on the service you have chosen (Saddle Fitting, Saddle Purchase Consult, Check up, Combi)I may also need to know information about the saddle or your budget, needs and preferences.
This is about YOU and YOUR HORSE, not my preferences, or any brand I recommend. This is at the heart of what I do.
I will assess the way your horse is put together, and its movement purely in so far as it affects saddle fit. I will take templates of your horse's back to have a record over time, and to use to inform saddle fit.
You are safe- I will not assess your movement, or take templates of you!! Your own physicality such as height, leg length etc does affect the style and size of saddle, but this varies between brands. Given the way I work, I do not need to know any of this in advance as I am not bringing you saddles to fit, I am working with your own or making recommendations.
I will then look at the saddles you have shortlisted, and discuss the practical benefits or issues for you and this horse, before determining which are suitable to progress to fit. I will check any we intend to progress with for any defects, damage or issues such as broken trees, or flocking problems.
Selected saddles will be assessed on the horse with no pads or numnahs, and I will run through a check list with you so you understand what I am looking for. From this we will identify saddles suitable for a ridden assessment.
If you have not already had a sit in these, I will do a quick validation that the saddle is a sufficient fit, and we can assess this further when you are on. If we are fitting to more than 1 horse for a saddle/ set of saddles it is my preference to do all of steps 1-3 for all horses before we ride any.
For our selected saddles, we will tack up with the numnahs, pads and girth as you usually would, and I will bring additional pads or shims in case these are of benefit. I will ask you to ride for a short time in walk, trot and canter on both reins.
I will assess the fit, movement, and functionality of the saddle on the horse, for you as a rider, and for you as a combination. I may take videos to assist your own understanding and saddle journey. We will discuss how the horse feels to you, key factors in how you feel as a rider.
If we are fitting to more than 1 horse, we can discuss a horse to start with based on complexity, situation, temperament etc, and use this as a way to shortlist further with you and the horse, or can have all horses in the riding assessment at once and swap saddles between, or do a full riding assessment for each horse. This depends entirely on what suits you and your horses.
In order to be as practical as possible, we can consider any modifications which can be done in situ- such as pads, or via repairs, and I will advise you of a recommendation of suitability for each saddle, and any "shopping list" constraints for the future.
I will always aim to keep the solutions and recommendations low cost for you, and maximise comfort wellbeing and safety for you as a partnership with your horse. I can provide this as a report or verbally.
If you have chosen a Saddle Purchase Consult this comes with 3 virtual (WhatsApp, Teams, or call) sessions to discuss your progress and for me to provide support in your hunt for a saddle. See Saddle Purchase Consult Equine Services.
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