Gini Mortimore testimonial

I first met Lucinda during a visit to fit a Reactor Panel Saddle during my apprenticeship to Dean Woodward of Saddle Exchange.

The exercise in assessing saddle fit and Reactor Panel adjustment training was unfortunately not the success as he had hoped when he decided to bring me along as more and more I found myself paying more attention to what Lucinda was doing than to the fitting training ( more useful training was to be found elsewhere with regards to the saddles).

Time and time again I returned with Dean, even after I qualified and started fitting on my own I still found time when I could to just watch Lucinda work, I also came on my own for lessons with and without my horses. What she achieves is truly miraculous, working with the horse through feel, identify tight muscle and blockages and gently coaxing and supporting the horse to release. On one occasion I saw an old cob, rescued by one of Lucinda's customers from a riding school totally transform within half an hour of being ridden by Lucinda ( the saddle also helped ). This dear mare must have been ridden in straight lines and either could not or did not know how to bend through a turn ( Lucinda commented that she felt like a door !) also when she was initially brought in she looked like 3 different bits of 3 different horses stuck together with extreme muscle wastage the shape of a saddle on her back. After being fitted with her new Reactor Panel Saddle I watched in awe as the horse softened and under Lucinda's direction started to use muscles she had forgotten she had. At the end of the session she looked happy, relaxed and when the saddle was removed the shape of her back had physically changed and she looked much more together. A whole horse once again.

I could spend a whole day giving you examples like this including the things that we have achieved together with my own horses ( the horse in the left margin belongs to me and has an almost identical story only he was also a nervous wreck when I got him). Maybe you believe me, maybe your sceptical, hopefully your feeling inspired. I do however say to the sceptics amongst you come and watch Lucinda yourself, bring your horse, come for a lunge lesson and let her work on you as she's just as intuitive with people.

I have been fortunate to have been able to study with some of the worlds greatest living horsemen and women, some have written books, some are internationally famous and some have cost me a small fortune for giving me a relatively short period of their time. Don't misunderstand me, I'm grateful to them and they have all taught me something.

However next to the horses themselves the person who has taught me the most is Lucinda and at a much smaller cost .

Thank you Lucinda from the bottom of my heart and I am very proud to be able to call you my mentor and friend.

Gini Mortimore, Equine behaviourist & remedial saddle fitter.