1. You need to send the make of saddle, seat and gullet size, and what the packing is like (feel down the panels), if your saddle is new or second hand, and how old if second hand. 2. I need a whole horse side view photo if I haven't seen your horse before (with all of these photos it doesn't matter what side. 3. I need a whole horse side view with just the saddle on (no saddle blanket) 4. Then whole horse side view with all your gear and rider on (make sure I can see the saddle). 5. Then I need videos of Walk and Rising Trot. If you are comfortable to canter send that through as well. If trying a jump saddle – some canter in two point is also helpful. These again need to be whole horse and rider side view – don’t cut feet or heads off. Doesn’t matter what side. Make sure I can see the saddle and you haven’t got any clothing hanging over the saddle. You need to instruct your videographer where to stand and where you are going to ride past to get the best video. Ideally, I need 10 – 15 meters of each gait to see what I need to see. You can send all these photos and videos via email – make them a small file. Either email them to sarah@sarahlinton.com or fb messenger www.facebook.com/SarahLintonSaddleFittingAndBodyWork or https://www.facebook.com/sez.linton Remember I don’t need 50 photos of each thing. Just one good one of each.

Watch this video below, it tells you exactly what you need to send me:

Usually a session on a horse will take between 1–2 hours. This will depend on what the horse requires and what therapies are used.

I charge $150 plus travel, and the sessions run for 1–2 hours. Travel costs are $35 for Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington, Manawatu, Kapiti Coast, Waikato and Bay of Plenty (if not too far off the beaten track). All other areas please enquire for prices.

A clean, dry horse (doesn't have to be washed just get mud off), hose down legs if really muddy and any saddles that you may want me to look at. A dirty saddle blanket is also helpful so I can see where pressure areas are. Be prepared to ride just in case I need to look at you in the saddle on your horse as well. If you horse has been seen by a vet for a particular issue - please get vet clearance before I come to look at your horse.

Sometimes there is an immediate notable improvement. It depends on what is wrong with the horse and how long it has had the problem for. The longer it has had the problem generally the longer it takes to improve - the same with people. I give owners homework to do so this also helps with the recovery and maintenance process. Most horses improve quite quickly once they start having body work done on them.

Follow-up exercise is recommended after massage. Healthy sound horses can be ridden after a session. It is best to keep it light and easy and relaxed. Hacking out is ideal - nothing too strenuous. Ideally no 6 foot high jumps or high level dressage. If you don't have time to ride try to give your horse a 5 - 10 minute hand walk or jog within a few hours after the session. I will discuss with you any follow up exercises when I come to see you and your horse. If you have a competition coming up, try and book your appointment at least a week before it.

This all depends on the horse’s level of work, his conformation, his health, the extent of an injury, the footing, his tack fit, etc. If he has a hard workload a massage twice every 6 weeks is probably a good idea. The normal working horse should ideally be done once every 6 weeks as a maintenance program. By working together with the owner we can work out a session plan together. Every horse is different. When I have seen the horse I write the recommended follow up – next session time on your case notes.

Yes, I hold two typs of demos. One is a Saddle Fitting & Signs of Soreness Demo, and the other is a Gait Assessment Demo. Both demos cost $150 plus travel, and have a minimum of 10 people attending to book, however a lot of clubs and groups choose to charge for attendance to pay for the demo fee, and also to fundraise. Please view our demo page for the full list of requirements, and more information on both demos.