Illustrated Guide to Saddle Fitting by Beverly Harrison
If horseback riders could do one thing that would save them money, ensure their horse’s health and performance, and help them ride better (and feel better afterward), it would be assuring that their saddle fits their horse correctly, and that it is suitable for their own body and desired activities. Unfortunately, most riders don’t have access to or the money to pay experienced saddle fitters, who can analyze their equipment and help them determine whether the fit is passable or problematic. This means that a large number of riders just “hope for the best” with what they have, or struggle to grasp lengthy explanations of optimal fit and how to achieve it. And, in the end, a large number of horses suffer the consequences. Beverly Harrison started as a rider herself, and when she opened a tack shop, she quickly noticed the need for someone to guide horse owner’s in choosing a new saddle or refitting an older one. In order to be better informed for her customers, she became a Qualified SMS Saddle Fitter, and she made it her mission to help educate anyone involved with horses: 4-Hers, backyard riders, competitors, veterinarians—you name them, she’s probably taught them. Harrison figured that her educational efforts would benefit from colorful visual aids to engage her students. And so, a handbook full of her own delightful hand-painted illustrations was born. Readers easily gain a basic understanding of the different parts of the saddle, how they work and how they should fit, as well as what the addition of a rider means to it all. Topics include: - Terminology and saddle construction - Basic anatomy and physiology of horse and rider relative to the saddle - Safety of materials and condition - Step-by-step evaluations of fit for both horse and rider - Instructions for creating a paper template - Indicators of fit under saddle - Impacts of girths and saddle pads - Repair and maintenance advice A saddle is part of most horses’ lives. It is anything but a benign piece of equipment: its placement on the horse’s back—a vital source of strength and locomotion—and its location between horse and rider, means that it can have either a negative or a positive impact on everything from health to performance. Harrison’s book makes it easy for all of us, wherever we are and whatever we like to do with our horses, to ensure our saddles are not the source of a problem, only an additional means of connection and communication. She empowers us by showing what is right, what is wrong, and what the next steps should be. And in the end, our horses are happier, healthier, and better able to do what we ask of them.
For small and larger parcels we use DPD Couriers. Both services are based on a 48hour weekday delivery time for mainland UK addresses.
We are currently not able to post items outwith the UK.
If we receive your order by 1pm (Monday-Friday) we will dispatch the item that day.
Exceptions - our couriers follow the English & Scottish Bank holiday dates, so deliveries and collections cannot be made over those dates.
If you place an order with us online, tracking details will be sent to you automatically. Please check your spam folder.
- ALL Riding Helmets - as these are safety items.
- Special order items - including all Samshield helmets & Kingsley Footwear
- Embroidered Goods
- Made to Measure Items
- Items made to order in personalised colours
- Underwear
- Specialist Bits and Specialist Leatherwork
For items bought in-store* and returned in-store
We offer refunds in-store for items returned within 14 days from the date of purchase, provided you have proof of purchase (till receipt AND/OR card receipt if paid by card). The items must also be in perfect condition, have not been used/worn and have all of the original tags attached and packaging included.
How and when we refund you
A refund can only be issued in the same format as the original purchase.
CARD - If the item was paid for by card, we’ll refund the same card originally used to pay for the item. If the refund cannot be made to the original card, then a credit note or exchange will be offered.
CASH – If the item was paid for by cash, the maximum we can offer as a cash refund at the time is £50, anything over that and the remainder can be offered as a credit note, or the remaining cash at an agreed time to suit.
GIFT RECEIPTS – Customers returning items with a gift receipt will be offered a credit note or goods to the same value. We do not offer cash refunds for items returned with a gift receipt.
GIFT VOUCHERS – Customers returning items which were purchased with a gift voucher will be offered a credit note or goods to the value. Refunds are not offered on items bought with a gift voucher.
For items bought online or over the phone**
Items must be sent back to us unused, in their original packaging and with all labels attached within 28 days of receipt. Please use a signed for service via a reputable courier, such as Royal Mail for smaller items and courier for larger item with adequate insurance to cover the value of the item. We cannot be held accountable, and therefore cannot offer a refund/exchange, if we do not receive the item.
To facilitate a speedy refund, please complete our RETURNS FORM, which should be included with your parcel. You are liable for all postage costs and these will not be refunded as part of the return. Refunds may take up to 7 days to be processed.
Extended Christmas Returns
Country Ways' extended returns policy for Christmas allows customers to return items purchased in-store or online from November 9th 2024 onwards until January 5th 2025, inclusive.
Returning faulty goods
The Consumer Rights Act gives you the right to ask for a refund, repair or replacement if something you buy develops a fault. This right is limited to 30 days from the date you took ownership of the goods (this could be the date of purchase or the date the goods were delivered to you - whichever is later). After the initial 30 days, you can't demand a full refund in the first instance, but you still have the right to a repair or replacement. The retailer has one opportunity to repair or replace any goods which are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described. You can choose whether you want the goods to be repaired or replaced, but the retailer can refuse if they can show that your choice is disproportionately expensive compared with the alternative. If the attempt at a repair or replacement is unsuccessful, you can then claim a refund, or a price reduction if you wish to keep the product.
* The Consumers Rights Act 2015 (applicable to items bought in-store) You can only return store-bought non-faulty goods for an exchange or refund if the retailer has a returns policy. Shops are not required by law to have a returns policy.
**The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 (applicable to distance selling)
The Consumer Contracts Regulations entitles you to key cancellation rights when you enter into contracts at a distance over the phone, online, from a catalogue. Your right to cancel an order for goods made at a distance starts from the moment you place your order and ends 14 days from the day you receive your goods. You then have a further 14 days to actually send the goods back. You should get a refund within 14 days of either the trader getting the goods back, or you providing evidence of having returned the goods (for example, a proof of postage receipt from the post office), whichever is the sooner.
Refunding the cost of delivery. The retailer has to refund the basic delivery cost of getting the goods to you in the first place, so if you opted for enhanced service e.g. guaranteed next day, it only has to refund the basic cost. You must cover the cost for returning unwanted goods, unless the retailer says it will cover these costs.
