Maria’s Experience and Continuing Professional Development

Maria’s interest in western saddle fitting began in 1999, when she struggled to find anyone able to assess and fit a western saddle correctly for her own horse.

Since then, she has developed her knowledge through more than 25 years of practical experience, specialist training, professional seminars, anatomy education, research-led webinars and collaboration with saddle makers and other equine professionals.

Her approach is horse-first and welfare-led. It considers not only the saddle, but also the individual horse’s conformation, movement, behaviour, physical comfort, changing shape and intended work.

Maria continues to update her knowledge in saddle fit, equine anatomy, locomotion, pain, behaviour and welfare.

Recent Continuing Professional Development

2025

20 November — Research Update on Equine Back Pain
Dr Anna Ehrle, Centaur Biomechanics — 2-hour webinar

4 August — Saddle Fitting Essentials Training Day
Sara Udal, The British Horse Society, at The Fortune Centre — 6-hour training day

2024

19 October — The Girth Pain, Wither Pain and Stomach Ulcer Connection
Dr Ian Bidstrup, Centaur Biomechanics

3 October — Use and Application of Ground and Raised Poles: A Biomechanical Perspective
Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Centaur Biomechanics — 2-hour webinar

4 April — Welfare Parameters in Horse Sport: Oral Lesions as an Example
Mette Uldahl, Centaur Biomechanics

7 March — Kissing Spines: Anatomy and Rehabilitation
Gillian Higgins, Horses Inside Out — 3 CPD hours

1 February — Assessment of Back Health and Interfering Factors Related to Back Pain in Owner-Sound Riding Horses
Professor Michael A. Weishaupt, Centaur Biomechanics — 1.5-hour webinar

2022

17 November — ECVM: Is It a Normal Variation or a Congenital Malformation of Concern?
Dr Sharon May-Davis and Dr Christine Gee, Centaur Biomechanics — 2.5-hour webinar

30 January — The Equine Elbow: A Joint in Trouble
Dr Sharon May-Davis, Centaur Biomechanics — 2-hour webinar

2021

Evidence-Based Saddle Fitting
Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire and Mark Fisher, Centaur Biomechanics

Recognising, Understanding and Managing Saddle Slip
Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire and Mark Fisher, Centaur Biomechanics — 2-hour webinar

Clinical Biomechanics of the Thoracolumbar Region
Professor Kevin Haussler, Centaur Biomechanics — 4-hour webinar

Equine Pain and the Ridden Horse Ethogram
Dr Sue Dyson, Equitopia

How to Have a Better Relationship with Your Horse, Mule or Donkey
Ben Hart — four-week course

Saddle Research Trust Conference

Equine Saddle-Fitting Course
Dr Kerry Ridgway — online course

2020

The Locomotor Apparatus of the Horse
Professor Hilary Clayton, Centaur Biomechanics — 4.5-hour webinar

Conformation from a Biomechanical Perspective
Professor Hilary Clayton, Centaur Biomechanics — 2-hour webinar

International Equine Sports Science Virtual Summit
Centaur Biomechanics — multidisciplinary research event featuring Dr Rachel Murray, Professor Kevin Haussler, Nicole Rombach and other specialists

ECVM
Dr Sharon May-Davis, Centaur Biomechanics

Thoracic Sling: Anatomy, Function and the Implications of Asymmetry
Jillian Kreinbring, Equitopia

Recognising Pain in the Ridden Horse: The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram
Dr Sue Dyson, Centaur Biomechanics

Understanding the Horse’s Back
Centaur Biomechanics

Online Equine Dissection Programme
Equinestudies.nl — three-day interactive programme

Equine Dissection and ECVM Webinar Series
Equinestudies.nl

Working with Mules
Ben Hart

Selected Earlier Specialist Education and Experience

2019

Head and Neck Position
Dr Gerd Heuschmann

Anatomy and Biomechanics for Saddle Fitters
Gillian Higgins, Horses Inside Out — two-day course

2017

Saddle Construction and Fitting Seminar
Jochen Schleese, Master Saddler

2014

Equiscan Topographer Training
Christoph Rieser and the Equiscan team — practical training weekend covering templating, anatomy, locomotion, saddle assessment and monitoring horses’ changing shapes

English Saddle-Fitting Shadowing Day
Lavinia Mitchell, LM Saddles

Saddle Research Trust Conference
Also attended in 2018 and 2021

2013

Western Saddle Fit Webinar
David Genadek, About Saddle Fit

2009–2015

Equine Anatomy, Movement, Training and Rehabilitation Clinics
Dr Gerd Heuschmann, including a two-day clinic with Sven Kold examining training methods and rehabilitation relating to kissing spines

2009

Professional Saddle-Fitting Day
David Kempsell, WOW Saddles, including study of the Equiform templating system

Horses Inside Out Anatomy Education
Gillian Higgins — further training attended in 2019

2007

Iberian and English Saddle-Fitting Experience in Germany
One week shadowing Stefan at Bentaiga Iberian Saddles, selecting and fitting Bentaiga and Omega saddles

English and Treeless Saddle-Fitting Training
Heather Moffett’s saddle-fitting team, covering rider position, padding applications, panelled treeless saddles and work with the Equisimulator

Western Saddle-Fitting and Saddlery Seminars
Continental Saddlery, Germany — specialist seminars also attended in 1999

2006

Veterinary Referral and Remedial Saddle-Fitting Clinic
A day with English saddler Kay Humphries

Masterson Method Introductory Workshop
Jim Masterson — weekend workshop covering subtle equine responses and the release of physical tension

Equine Back Assessment and Professional Collaboration
Ongoing learning with equine physiotherapist Amanda Hemingway between 2006 and 2008, including assessing and grading back soreness and recording observations for other professionals

2004

Barefoot Hoof Care, Lameness and Equine Nutrition
Pete Ramey — weekend clinic

2000

Mark Rashid Horsemanship Clinic
Weekend ridden clinic exploring softness, bracing, behaviour and physical discomfort

Hoof Trimming and Healthy Foot Function
Practical training covering barefoot hoof care, movement and lameness

Parelli Levels 1 and 2

1999

Introduction to Western Saddlery and Equipment

Western Riding, Training and Saddle-Fitting Experience
Kings Valley Quarter Horses, France

Western Saddle-Fitting and Saddlery Seminars
Continental Saddlery, Germany

Equine Behaviour and Welfare

Maria has studied with equine behaviourist Ben Hart since 2005 through practical consultations, the Science of Behaviour programme, specialist courses and continued professional education.

This has strongly influenced her approach to saddle consultations, particularly her understanding that changes in behaviour may communicate discomfort, confusion, anxiety or pain.

Professional Memberships

• Listed as a qualified fitter by the Equine Fitters Directory

• Member of International Equine Professionals

• Member of the Federation of Small Businesses

Additional Professional Development

Maria has also completed an introductory counselling course, supporting the listening, communication and client-care skills required when discussing complex or sensitive concerns about a horse’s comfort, behaviour and saddle fit.