Saddle Fitting Facilities

Phil Ireland talking a female rider through her saddle fitting choices

The Unicorn Arena

Situated in the peaceful village of Hatch Beauchamp and just off the main A358 between Taunton and Ilminster, our saddle fitting arena is ideally located for clients.

We have built a 20m x 43m mirrored arena, with an Andrews Bowen Propell Waxed surface - the same surface used for the London 2012 Olympics! 

Propell is made using the same hard wax and fibre blend as ProWax including elastic fibres, polypropylene fibres, and PVC, combined with a multi-washed silica sand. Giving the support, spring and grip you need no matter what the weather! And the added bonus is, it doesn’t freeze!

We now have a covered area adjacent to the arena for static assessments in all types of weather!

Helping a customer choose the right saddle in the Unicorn arena

We allocate up to 2 hours per appointment with our SMS Qualified Saddle Fitters, Phil and Emily, to ensure horse and rider have plenty of time to try a variety of saddles, in a relaxed and comfortable environment. 

Your appointment will begin with your saddle fitter taking a number of templates of your horses back and asking you to walk and trot your horse along our dedicated trot-up, noting any observations relevant to saddle fit. 

Static Assessment

Your fitter will assess your horses back to determine the best tree shape, seat size and gullet width. If your horse has seen our saddle fitter before, these measurements will be compared to previous visits to identify any changes that may affect existing saddle fit. If changes need to be made to existing saddles, minor re-flocking or changes in gullet size are able to be completed at the time of your appointment. Alternatively, your saddle fitter will shortlist brands of saddles to try.

Dynamic or Ridden Assessment

Your fitter will ask to see you ride in the selected saddles to perform dynamic assessments of their fit. Your saddle fitter will take into consideration the comfort of the horse, the fit for the rider and suitability of the saddle for your selected discipline, or activity, and ask for your valuable feedback.  

Your fitter is able to set up ground poles, a single jump or small course, using our range of equipment from Classic Showjumps during your appointment depending on requirements. You are of course welcome to bring your instructor or coach to your saddle fitting appointment. 

Our Sponsored rider Grace Sinclair and Sparkles were putting them to the test in their latest visit!

All our saddle fitting appointments are now held at our Unicorn Arena. 

Rider on horseback jumping
Rider at Unicorn Arena with rainbow behind them

How to find us

Located just off the A358, our entrance is easily accesssible for trailers and lorries.

We have a large dedicated car park for saddle fitting clients, suitable for even the biggest lorries to park and turn around, with high gates that are closed during your appointment.

To find the Unicorn Arena, please use the postcode TA3 6TW.

The arena is located around 300yards off the A358 on the right-hand side. 

 

Pricing

We charge a £50 fee which is taken at the time of booking to secure your appointment. Should you cancel your appointment with more than 48 hour’s notice this fee is fully refundable. If you cancel with less than 48 hour’s notice we are unable to issue a refund. 

Please note additional charges apply for work such as flocking adjustments, any saddle related accessories and the cost of a new or second-hand saddle. 

To enquire about our range of saddles or to book an appointment please give the team a call on 01823 481484.

Grace Sinclair and her jumping pony Charlie
In the saddle fitting arena with Phillip Ireland

Meet our saddle fitters

Philip Ireland
Emily Bright

Unicorn Saddlery’s founder, Philip Ireland, is an SMS qualified saddle fitter in the South West. This personal and professional service is always tailored to the individual, as each horse and rider combination is unique. Philip Ireland has over 20 years experience and is able to offer informed, unbiased advice to help you select the best fitting saddle for your individual requirements. 

To book an appointment with Phil, give the store a call on 01823 481484.

Emily has just joined Unicorn as a trainee saddle fitter alongside Phil. She has taken on a number of clients already and is working towards her Society of Master Saddlers exam. 

Emily grew up riding show ponies developing an interest in conformation and movement. Wanting to do all she could to enhance their performance lead Emily to completing a diploma in Equine Sports Massage Therapy with Mary Bromiley, and more recently a Manual Therapy course with Team GB physio, Ash Wallace.  This deep understanding of the musculoskeletal system gives her a real advantage when it comes to saddle fitting. 

To book an appointment with Emily, give the store a call on 01823 481484.

Unicorn Saddlery would like to thank Grace Sinclair, Florence Human, Taggy Forester-Bennett, Hannah Bailey and Mia Keegan for the use of their photos for this page.