Welcome to our Blog - written by The Lady Saddler herself

Girth Straps – Shiny Side Up or Shiny Side Down?

16th April 201912th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

Back in March, I asked my Social Media followers a question regarding girth straps and which side is the 'right' side. Don't Shoot The Messenger Well, before you all shoot the messenger, what I am about to tell you is what is known as the 'correct' way. Ask your Saddler/Saddle Fitter This doesn't mean that you have to go straight out and have your straps changed. The 'Correct' Way Girth straps should be stitched onto the webbs of your saddle with the dull side up (shiny side facing down). An awful lot of saddles are made with the girth straps the other way round (shiny side up). This is predominantly due to consumer requests. Whilst training for my City and Guilds Saddle Making qualification, I was taught to do everything the correct way. This includes hand-stitching girth straps into saddles with the dull side up as this is the safest and most durable way for them to be done. Customer's Preference Most customers don't like the look of the girth straps...

Leather Repair Service

26th March 201911th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

If you follow me on social media, you will have noticed a leather repair advert, like the one above, has been posted out each month, since the New Year. It's just one way of reminding people that I carry out repair work without giving the hard sell. The main sort of repairs are usually as follows: Bridle headpieces, loop replacement, cheeks reduced, flash loop removed.Saddle stitching redone, girth straps replaced.Headcollar buckles replaced, restitched chapes.Girth stitching replacedBoots (Horse and Human) - replacement of zips or straps.Bag straps replaced, lining removed and replaced and a complete refurbishmentBelts shortened, buckles changed, replaced stitching Leather Repair Gallery This list is not the only thing I repair, I have also repaired car seats and a leather jacket. There is nothing that I won't have a go at, as long as it comes to me in a clean state and not covered in thick mud. Cost Prices vary from job to job but as a general idea, the minimum cost I charge is £10.00...

Saddlery Competition 2019

19th March 201911th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

This years National Saddlery Competition took place in February 2019. Organised by the Society of Master Saddlers it takes place every year at Saddlers Hall in London and is one of the main events of the year. My Entries This year, I entered four separate items into the following class categories: 2b - Level 3 In-hand Stallion Bridle 3a - Level 2 Trainee Saddle 5 - Special Open Class - Dressage Stirrup Leathers13 - The President's Choice Beta International One of the category's, 'The President's Choice', was displayed at BETA International during the 19th - 21st January 2019, to allow the public to vote their favourite. Can you spot mine amongst the other fantastic box work displayed? London Bound On Monday 4th February, my husband and I embarked on our 3.5-hour car journey down to London. We got there, had a meander around, and looked at all the entries including mine. There was some stunning work completed by trainee's, qualified and Master Saddlers. Prize Winners The prize winners were distinguished by a...

Equine Tack Sales in Kinver

19th February 201911th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

A couple of years ago I started a monthly equine tack sale in my local village school in Kinver, it was an instant success. Since then I have changed the venue, set the dates in advance and only do certain months; it's sure been a learning curve! Check out the 2018 / 2019 dates for the Kinver Tack Sale HERE! When I Was Young I don't know about you, but when I was growing up second hand tack sales were few and far between. We would have to scour the local newspaper for-sale ads for any riding gear or equestrian items you needed. Nowadays it has becom more common for people to buy from eBay, Gumtree, Spock and even for sale or auction groups on Facebook. However, physical tack sales are also becoming more and more popular too. Why do you think that is? Networking I believe tack sales are becoming much more common now because people crave face to face interaction. We spend so much of our...

Beta International 2019

22nd January 201911th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

On Sunday, I attended the Beta International event at the NEC in Birmingham. The BETA Group "The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) represents more than 800 British suppliers and retailers. Members include producers of famous brands and more than 400 tack shops across the UK. It supports riders and horse owners by striving for excellence on behalf of equestrian shops and shoppers - and protects consumers by making sure that only tack shops run in a professional manner are allowed to become members and display the trade association's logo."BETA Group Trade Exhibition BETA International is a world-leading trade exhibition that supports the equestrian, country clothing, outdoor and pet product sectors. In this particular year they are also celebrating its 40th anniversary. Usually held at this time of year [January] the event is on for three days and offers the ideal networking opportunity for members of the industry as well as a chance to see hundreds of the most exciting and innovative new products that are...

January Sale Launched

2nd January 201911th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

I have decided to launch a January Sale. Not just any sale, but a splendid 50% off all pre-made items, sale. FIFTY PERCENT! I hear you shout....YES, indeedy! I have a few items that were either displayed on the trade stand or I made during my training and/or assessments that I no longer need. The income raised from this sale will be needed to reinvest in some more Sedgwick Leather. I have some exciting new projects planned for 2019 which this leather will be used for. If you want to have a browse at what is available in the January Sale then pop on over to the Lady Saddler Shop. ...

The British Leather Industry

21st October 201811th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

The British Leather Industry became a global importance around the late 19th Century. Walsall, a town located in the West Midlands, became known as the centre of the British leather industry, producing and exporting saddles, bridles and harness. Why Walsall? It is unclear as to why Walsall became the centre for the British leather industry. Maybe it was due to the town already having an established Lorinery or Saddlers Ironmongery industry. What is Lorinery or Saddlers Ironmongery? Lorinery or Saddlers Ironmongery are specialist blacksmiths who produce horse-related metalwork such as stirrups, bits, buckles, spurs and saddle trees. In the 1830s it was a local Loriner ‘Thomas Newton’ who claimed to produce the towns first ready-made riding saddle. The Introduction of the Sewing Machine Around 1860 the sewing machine was introduced, which sped up the production of some leather items, particularly harness traces. By 1861 there were 60 known companies in Walsall making bridles, saddles and harness, as well as 15 Tanneries and Currying works that actually produced the leather. Export...

The Truth About Boot Zip Repairs

7th October 201811th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

Since starting my Saddler journey I have been inundated with enquiries for boot zip repairs . I have done some in the past but the actual truth of the matter is, they are a pig to do! Following conversations I've had with other Saddlers, I believe I'm not the only one who thinks this. It certainly would explain the reason why you, the customer, is struggling to find someone who repairs them at a reasonable cost. I'm also acutely aware that some cobblers, whom speciality is actually shoes and boots don't (or won't) touch them either, I wonder why?! What do you, think is a reasonable cost to repair your boots? To be honest, it is probably not worth the time and effort we, the Saddlers, have to put in to, first remove the defective zip and then somehow put a new zip in. Saddlers often charge by the hour, plus materials and other expenses and so this often ramps up the price for the customer. Manufacturer of...

Bridles – Do You Know The Different Types?

23rd September 201811th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

When I Was Young When I was young and attended the local riding school, the only type of bridle I was familiar with was the snaffle bridle. A traditional sort of bridle made from black or brown leather with a single bit, usually a snaffle bit, hence the bridle's name. Some bridles had brass clincher browbands and others had a decorative stitch but that was the fanciest it got. Some ponies wore cavesson nosebands and some wore nothing at all. As the years passed and I progressed from riding school ponies to loan ponies, I learned about the different bridles as well as the various bits of equipment to go with them. Another 20 years later and bridles have further adapted in so many ways. Advanced Research Thanks to advanced research and owners becoming more aware of their own horses, we now have anatomical headpieces, rolled leather, bitless options and a huge array of different bits that is enough to blow anyone's mind. So, if you are a...

Stirrup Keyring – The Making Of A Best Seller

10th September 201811th June 2019 By ClairNo Comments

"The Stirrup Keyring is one of the most successful accessories I have made to date" Using British Materials Using the best of British bridle leather, known in the industry as Sedgwick's Leather, I traditionally cut and prepare the strips of leather by hand with my saddler tools, many of which are more than 50 years old. After edging, staining and creasing the individual keyrings I punch a small 1/2" crew hole and 1/2" stitch marks. This is in preparation for the lace of leather that will act as the stirrup leather to the stirrup iron. The brass stirrup is traditionally made here in the UK in a foundry in Walsall, just 40 minutes from where The Lady Saddler is located, allowing the added advantage of being able to visit their showroom whenever I want. Next, I tack all the pieces together ready to be hand stitched. Using a waxed linen thread I hand stitch each keyring individually using the saddle stitch technique. Condition The Leather Lastly, I...