Why I made this big change

[@ckequestrian7781]

Saddle fitting is so incredibly important and often so overlooked. Especially where influencers are concerned, some will keep using a brand just because it’s free stuff and not because it works well for both horse and rider. Hats off to you for doing what’s right by the horses welfare

[@clogl]

I love that you prioritize the horse’s comfort over what’s easiest for you. Saddle fit is up there with the most important factors in horse health and performance.

[@MarionFeltham]

Prioritising the fit not the brand - such wise words.

[@rachel3591]

to be honest, i was hoping youd ditch *your last sponsor (lol)* for the exact reasons you were leaving them for. it's nice to have expensive saddles that look nice to the eye, but when the fit is affecting your horse, and you have so many horses with different needs, one size fits all is no bueno! proud you made this step forward.

[@Squimbelina]

Agreed! The fit (to my experienced but untrained eye) looked much better. Much better wither clearance now on all of them.

[@thatonedog819]

I've been listening to this podcast by this equine sports med vet here in the states. She focuses on body lameness and says most of the lameness she sees is from bad fitting equipment with not enough padding. Most vets look at the lower leg, but the body moves the legs. She also goes over how many equipment makers just don't make equipment that works (and no, she's not sponsored by any particular brand.... Or any brand for that matter) It's the horse first podcast if anyone is curious. It's absolutely fascinating. She provides her sources (like actually studies and where to find videos showing what she's talking about) and she's so passionate about her work. I'm obsessed 😂 She also treats (yes TREATS) shivers, stringhalt, and headshakers, which many vets believe is impossible because of one study of 5 horses with no repeats or follow up studies 🙄

[@AesiraArt]

when you talked about this video on instagram I was terrified you were selling Wilma! Glad that isn't the case

[@stellangios]

Yeah I kinda hate when creators take the KZbin algorithm requirement of having clickbaity titles and turn it into their attitude on their other platforms. Making money by playing on people's emotions will eventually backfire, imo. Meg pretty frequently makes a meal out of stuff that more mature people would consider relatively unremarkable. But then I guess you gotta hustle for so many mouths to feed! And the kids watching won't understand it's a deliberate marketing tactic. Meg is far better than the worst of equestrian entertainers out there (and their "HUGE" horses) but I do have to roll my eyes a bit sometimes, knowing how many kids downright worship her

[@rosieequestrian8776]

@@stellangiosthis is so true

[@Abi-Grey8]

Wilma is like oh my god mother I’m trying to sleep. 😂😂😂. Glad she’s got a good saddle and bridle.

[@DeborahHamilton-q1w]

Good choice, Meg. Saddle fit is of the utmost importance. I still remember my sister wanting an expensive saddle for one of her horses, but the only one she found that fit was a cheapy, her horse being mutton withered. Her next horse was completely opposite, and needed a full cutback and narrower fit! All of mine tended to high withers, but needed different widths in the shoulder and gullet. One size definitely does not fit all! Poorly fitting tack can make or break.

[@susantescione8007]

Wilma does look terrific and you really can see just how much she has developed physically in the short time you have had her.

[@Jennifer-]

Love this. It’s so true. It’s so refreshing to hear an influencer be transparent about such a critical aspect of horse sport welfare! So much respect to you for this vlog Meg!!

[@bernster123]

Makes a lot of sense. And funnily enough, those are the brands I’ve had - Ideal, Albion and now Fairfax. All lovely saddles.

[@georgiamay5306]

I had Jo Beavis for my welshie quite a few years ago. She is fantastic and the Kent and Masters saddle she picked was perfect for him! And lasted a long time as he grew due to the adjustable gullet and her ability to flock and change the saddle. Definitely so so important making sure to prioritise their comfort, and you can't go wrong with Jo!

[@danielabackstrom]

Saddlefit is so important, many saddles pinch the trapezius (which is a non weight bearing muscle) so when I see saddles close to the withers and trapezius I cringe so bad 😅 happens even at the top of the sport, no wither clearance = unhealthy topline. happy you have found saddles that fit your horses! ❤

[@loviley]

i ride lesson ponies, and we have a lot of different saddles. my trainer can’t afford brand new saddles for every horse we have, so we make due with what we have. we always use a lot of cushion and different things. my favorite pony, levi, gets a basic saddle pad, half pad, and a blue cloth jumper boot (cushion of the boot goes under the gullet). it fits well for him since he has a slightly swayed back (it’s not too bad of a swayed back) and high withers. but we have a lot of different brands and shapes of saddles, as well as stacking saddle pads, half pads and more cushiony foam pieces.

[@originallyalice]

Really appreciate this update! I feel like everyone is aiming for the highest price tag on their tack because certain brands are so prestigious… Except they don’t fit all horses! My horse is in a cheaper brand because he’s changing shape. Once he’s grown and put weight on I will get a saddle fitter out and have him re-measured and refit to what works for him because I couldn’t care less about what anyone thinks apart from him 🥰 I love that your horses always come first 🩵

[@eilidhr_]

you should take Wilma for a forest photoshoot, she looks amazing in front of those green trees😍 definitely gonna check out the national saddle centre too!

[@shineeequine]

I'm so glad you made the switch, some of the voltaires you had on Winnie when she first came in to work weren't right for her at all. I've been through hell and back when it came to fitting my mare and have finally found a fitter that actually cares about what she's comfortable in, and I'm over the moon that you have too. Saddle fit is never something to be scoffed at, it will make or break your horse! Kudos to you Meg!

[@HollyBN]

Absolutely agree, they’re all different! I have a chunkier native and I know there are brands I’ve used on my last horses that just don’t quite work for him! He’s in a treeless currently, but Kent & Masters and Chunky Monkey seem the most common for his type! Chunky Monkey are a particularly great brand because not only do they make and fit their own saddles, they’ll fit and adjust other brands and second hand too!

[@Grace-Ella-Equestrian]

I think that every horse should have their own saddle. I have three pony’s, ones a welsh ones a Connemara and one is a ottb welsh cross. They all have their own saddles. I don’t love the one but I ride in it bc it does fit my horse who is hard to find a saddle for. I also think people have a price range for buying a horse but, if you are getting a new horse you also need to be able to afford good tack.

[@bethanyshipman2310]

Those French brands have very short tree points and often don’t fit TB types. I learned the hard way.

[@BeckySmith-k2e]

I know Jo well and couldn’t be in better hands ❤

[@GPwithme]

Brilliant decision. Thanks for always putting the horses first.

[@rachaelwailoo986]

Love Jo Beavis, she is so good. Wouldn’t have anyone else!

[@kristiwetsel9531]

'martied to the fit and not the brand' ' love that

[@EE-zd6xh]

yes, agree. I use a fitter that uses every brand. Its so important for me.

[@joannesmartens9442]

The two most important things to ride a horse are the saddle and the bridle. Saddlefitting is an art. I saw a few saddlefitters in the netherlands as Gaston Mercier (italian brand) and a very new and inovating brand RS saddles, really very profesional. 😊

[@melissayost4888]

I so agree. I rode a horse with ridiculous high, sharp withers sp? I ride on a tight budget & needed a saddle that would fit him. I knew I’d be riding multiple horses so I splurged on for me an expensive adjustable saddle. It was way over budget but my horse was happy & moved much better. I’m on a different horse now with a completely different shape & that saddle is worth every penny.

[@samt3043]

Horses first Meg we all respect your decision and your still amazing at riding

[@CashStuffWithKristine]

Great video! Well presented and well phrased for the separation from the previous company. You can see you and your horses are doing amazingly! Your confidence looks so much better xx

[@jessicabee9299]

Wilma is so relaxed, such a sweet horse ❤

[@Amelia_Lyne5000]

so glad the welfare is the main priority!! love being involved with all the ups and downs and difficulties of owning a horse ❤

[@emmyennit]

Its lovely to hear about this stuff, and even nicer to know how much you prioritise your horses welfare as you should. You definitely know what youre doing and that is amazing 🫶🏻🫂

[@danielsharpe595]

Totally off topic and i am a bit late but i CANT wait for the badminton vlog!!Meg.Good luck ❤❤❤

[@JoeAcarnley]

I totally agree with you Meg that you have to do what's right for the your lovely horses and to make sure they're happy in the saddles that you are using for them. It was so lovely to see the lovely Wilma on this blog and wow how much she has come on since you got her. I hope you have a good season in front of you for 2024 and so much would be nice to see more bear on your blogs as well

[@susanlambert8164]

Good luck at Badminton Meg look forward to your update❤️

[@ittybittyboo1]

We love that you always put your horses first! Keep doing you, Meg!

[@valeriefergusson269]

So interesting to see this post you are the most thorough horse owner and trainer I love learning how you work ! Good luck for Badders xx

[@shahannagrey8427]

You do such a good job for your sponsors, I bet they’ll miss you.

[@crystalvibes2122]

Wilma is looking amazing!

[@murieldrewery8773]

Well done! 🎉 married to the fit! I love it and so right, no brand can cater for all different types of horses. Bravo

[@TrellyAndRuthie]

Aww I really look up to you especially when and how you ALWAYS put your horses and ponies first❤❤

[@LindaBell-444]

Wilma’s pole work! 🙌🏻♥️🙌🏻♥️ Such a gorgeous mare!

[@glenroseeventing3090]

I’m a 3* event rider and used to be sponsored by your old company as well. Loved my old saddle, but didn’t fit my current string of horses and it was never going to fit them. So when my contract ran out at the end of last year I switched…

[@claudiah2845]

Ideals are brilliant for sports horse types, I’ve got one for dressage and one for jump 👍🏻

[@janemorgan154]

I have an ideal saddle on my big Oldenburg who has high withers and love it. I also have a bent and masters w/h saddle to show. Different saddles for different horses doing different jobs. Like us not all one brand fits us so we have to adapt to suit

[@jessicaruhl7314]

Always doing what’s best for your horses ❤

[@vezhopkins714]

I noticed some new tack but didn't realise the brand difference and yes one make fits all isn't really a thing so yay new tack :)

[@kathyclark921]

It took me five years to get the right saddle for my boy. National Saddle Centre, please send Megan as your ambassador to explore the New Zealand market :)

[@Squimbelina]

When I lived in NZ I had a saddle custom made by Grice-Kerr. It wasn’t cheap but it’s the most absolutely beautiful saddle and it’s still in great condition 20 years later. It even sat in storage for five years and came out as supple and soft as the day it went in.

[@kathyclark921]

@@Squimbelina a good saddle is a good investment if you can afford it. I had to wait until a good secondhand one came up.

[@juliedalgardno3361]

Big congratulations on the new sponsor! Makes a lot of sense!!! Praying Badminton goes well!!!❤

[@nickygentle9246]

Soundsl like the absolute best plan x

[@patriciaemms1902]

Being a farmers daughter in the good old days we had a couple of saddles that we padded up with a wither pad, many years later I went on a saddle fitting course, omg, how we never had back problems I don't know, there is so much to take into account, and the difference between well fitting and allowing freedom of movement is immense, so well done for highlighting this 😂🎉

[@Jazzvibesicl]

Omg same haha, we used to put a saddle on that didn’t slip about too much and then just ‘one thick one thin’ numnah and off you went! Thankfully I know better now!!

[@kellygalvin7775]

Good choice, awww if you ever don’t want the stunning Wilma Woo , I’m here 🙌😂 what an absolute sweetheart she is 😍

[@umich79]

Wilma looks like she’s just floating over those poles! Beautiful training, Meg.

[@alana-kf7qr]

i love that you prefer yore horses comfert over every thing love all the vidio's i was so exited when i saw thise vidio

[@qvmarlins3506]

I’m happy for you and your horses and simultaneously don’t care what saddles you use😂

[@tfrtrouble]

Lol I've never seen a horse basically sleep through being tacked up. Shows how well fitting and sensitively used tack really isn't the horrible ordeal for horses that some internet commenters seem to think.

[@emilywhitehead5336]

Would love a video on the tack each individual horse wears including bits ect

[@BlissLewellyn]

Me too!

[@Theagingequestrian5335]

Independent saddle fitters (not associated with a brand) are invaluable!

[@RachaelMUA]

Love u Meg, ur awesome!

[@ihay472]

Oh is that all? Whew. I expected you to announce when you made a sponsor change. You'll tell us what you want us to know when you want us to know of course.

[@kristiwetsel9531]

Always tough with young horses they are constantly changing

[@kristyburgess9847]

Your beautiful 😍 horses 🐎 are just like the sweet brumbies I’m saving up for because we’re both Aussies ☺️👍🥰

[@judyfarmer1635]

Very interesting Meg ❤ x

[@dtulip1]

Does anyone else's heart leap into their mouths when a meg video drops with this type of heading :D Also are we sure Wilma is a part TB? As a nice compromise I used to always buy the adjustable tree saddles, but then my horses were all hackers not competions/pro athelets

[@justanotherequestrian]

wilms is so cute 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[@EleanorNeville618]

Great move 👊

[@shepherds.pie.youtube]

Ugh I've had no end of saddle fitting trouble myself. I started with a slightly sway-backed standardbred - - NOTHING fitted her. Now I have an OTTB. He has massive shoulders but also a sharp wither. I will keep trying until I find something, but man I hate saddle shopping...

[@caciliawhy5195]

Interesting. We use one brand on all our horses and they make saddles for different types of horses and then fit them for us on each horse. What brand only makes on type/size of saddle? Maybe a pony saddle maker? Does your new sponsor also offer dressage saddles? It would be nice to watch you taking dressage lessons in a real dressage saddle. Sounds like a good new company to work with.

[@kippen64]

Congratulations on your new sponsor. My next horse will be a twin to my current horse because I like that type and it'll make life easier.

[@FoxDragon]

Can you please at least once video the fitting process and the conversation involved in that? I like to think I'm pretty good at saddle fitting, but I'm sure your person knows more and I would love to see and hear how they go about making sure everything is as good as it can be.

[@jessicahigdon3962]

Great video Meg

[@lars1480]

That is one very sleepy horse😊

[@leilasmila]

Can your show us the tracings of Wilma's back? I'd love to see it and be able to learn!

[@lisaa4463]

Would be super interested in what saddle you settle on for Bear! I’ve struggled for years with my welsh and she’s baffled most the saddlers in Norfolk!🥴

[@sarasheartedits3689]

So true I love that you are sharing this with other to help them be more knowledgeable. It's even giving me an idea as my stock X is in a mid gullet tekna jump shallow seat with Xtra mid flocking and a voorst mid gullet deep seat dressage. But my Warmblood is in a standard mid gullet in 5 different brands 🤣 though he's in a mid gullet kieffer mid seat dressage and a mid gullet prestige shallow seat event saddle at the moment compared to my t.b boy who only fits a high gullet ambassador deep seat dressage with Xtra hind flocking 😅 still looking for a jump saddle that fits him perfectly for shows as he's currently jumped in a status close contact pony saddle with hind riser 🤣 it's the only thing that's fit him good so far. Any suggestions? 😅

[@DK-pl8xd]

I ❤️ Wilma!

[@juniper844]

I was also just waiting for you to ditch the former saddle company 😂

[@Hadlie_And_Frito]

4:14 it’s not much of my business but if you need another brand to look at Forestier is another really really great brand with lots of awesome saddles and tack products and are very very reasonably priced with the quality and adjustability of they’re tack. They sponsor our barn and are a very sweet brand and the tack and adjustability with things is just amazing. ❤

[@MyMagicMare]

Voltaires tree design is fundamentally flawed, the tree points don't reach far enough to get the weight of the saddle off the trapezius and scapula. A lot of other saddle brands are the same. Look closely at their ads and you'll see a lot of unhealthy backs and saddles that provide no wither clearance!

[@Grace_and_Tino]

Am I the only one that didn’t notice that she’d been changing the saddles 😭

[@mc8289]

Thought you were selling wilma!

[@Ailbhe-wr1qv]

Were is your jumper from 😊

[@Fionashorses]

I ordered a new Voltaire for the first time and it’s due to come this month. I noticed you’d stopped using them and it filled me with doom 😂 I was worried they’ve caused issues with your horses or something. I’ve had such a bad time with saddles, I can’t take any more cock ups. 💀

[@holliebop7953]

Yay Megan xxx

[@KaraEmberrain]

dam 43 seconds ago ;-; Love your horsey content megan!

[@tamaraconway6340]

Hey anyone know where the half pad is from?

[@Mali-Shadow]

🐴

[@sara.eqxestrian_]

early!! ❤️

[@gailomahony2101]

Oh my god when i started watching this I thought you were going to say you’re selling Wilma again. 🙈🙈

[@equestrian_lolly]

I hope its not anything bad❤❤❤+3rd!!!!

[@livyhorses3267]

Early ❤❤❤

[@MT-em1fz]

What, so did all your horses HAVE to wear the sponser brand?

[@Helo_can.I.help.you.2007]

Early!!!! ❤❤

[@jmleeinla4025]

I just realized we haven’t heard about DeeDee?? How is she doing and when is she due???

[@alexisloy7539]

She post updates occasionally on insta stories

[@EuropeanEquestrianExperience]

High integrity choice - having saddles fitted by a fitter who isnt affiliated with any brand will ensure a better chance at the best fit vs someone with an economic interest. Every horse has a different back and saddle brands are not one size fits all even if they are the "stylish" brand that everyone else is riding in.

[@Paigexxx-y7d]

What about Deede when she said all of her horses or did she say it and l just didn’t hear x love you meg your channel is❤ amazing

[@Squimbelina]

I guess she was talking about the ones in work and DD isn’t - she didn’t mention Brynnie either.

[@Paigexxx-y7d]

@@Squimbelina ahh yes l a bit dump thank you x

[@TaylorParnell]

WHO ELSE LOVES DARLING WILMA ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mosqiella]

not first

[@eastofeden13]

I knew those saddles were no good. I would only get a Schleese or some sort of a barefoot/bareback saddle with enough support

[@Lolageorgeeventing]

First! 🎉❤