Another saddle question? Sorry!

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Jericho

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My instructor says that I need a new saddle as the one that came with my new mare is very badly fitting (I suspected it wasnt great as very low on her withers) . So ... having never had to do this before, how do I go about finding a good saddle, costing no more than £300 and how do I get it fitted? I have seen some posts about saddlers in Essex which is useful but what do they do? do they bring a van full of saddles to try? Can I try / buy a second hand one? Do I get to ride in a new saddle? Should I just ask the saddler when he comes to re fit my old one?? Can people suggest a nice general purpose one that fits TB shape? Helllpppppppp

Questions questions.... thank goodness for this forum as its so useful!!!!
 
If you genuinely do not know what saddle you want, then getting a local fitter to come out with a load of new and second hand saddles sounds like the best answer.

For £300 you would be able to get a new synthetic or a second hand leather (but it wouldnt be great condition). You could possibly sell the old one?

How old is your horse? What shape is her back in? What do you want the saddle for?
 
I only need a GP one as do hacking, some prelim dressage and bit of jumping. Daisy is 12 years old, TB x build, quite high whithers. How much - gulp - should I increase the budget by then for something middle of the rangish - it doesnt need to be show quality. Should I just ask the saddler to reflock my old one - its in OK condition (Ideal brand) or do they try and get you to just buy a new one?
 
Depends on the fitter I am afraid. Some are just interested in selling you their most expensive saddle in the van.

If it is an Ideal, it is quite a good saddle and hopefully can just be reflocked to fit. If you pm me a pic of the horse from both sides and behind, with and without saddle (with and without girth) and then a pic of the saddle underneath and from the front I can let you know what I think. Will also be able to see if your horse has any muscle wastage from the saddle.

In any event, you shoud be able to sell the Ideal and use that to help buy a new one. Do you know which model it is? I find that Ideals fit TB types well but it depends on the tree - they are all different.
 
a reflock won't work if the tree's too wide.
a temporary fix if it's too low on the withers, taught to me by Kay Humphries (excellent saddle fitter)
take two squares of fybagee (the hind-leg under-bandage size is ideal), lay one on top of the other about 2" to the left of the other, then fold them both over (parallel to the overlap) so it creates 4 'steps' of the same size, if that makes sense. use this as a front pad to raise the front off her withers, with the 'steps' gradually decreasing towards the tail. will make sense when you try it! it's a great way of filling in the areas below the withers on tbs and lifting the saddle softly up in front.
you should be able to get a decent 2nd hand one, scout about for a place that has a good selection. not all saddlers are rip-off merchants!
 
You need to make an appointment with a local saddler to come on a visit to your yard with a selection of saddles for you to try. They normally come with a van load.

You can then try a few of the saddles and if the saddler needs to make any minor adjustments like reflocking he can do so - to ensure a good fit. You may be able to part exchange the old saddle - but it depends what it is and if the saddler thinks it's resellable.

£300 is quite a low budget - and as mentioned above you're going to be limiting your choice.

I think if you upped your budget to £500 you'd do better in the long run. You could then get a nice GFS or Ideal second hand saddle in good condition. They are both well thought of, middle or the range brands.

To get an idea for prices of second hand saddles have a look at www.saddlesdirect.co.uk
 
Thanks everyone
CB Anglo - I'll take some piccies tomorrow and send them to you. My Ideal saddle is in fairly good condition but I suspect fairly old. Not sure what type it is. Many thanks for your help

Saddlesdirect website is very useful and like the idea - bit worried that I wouldnt be able to correctly fit one on my own though.
 
Hi there - i wasn't really suggesting you bought from Saddles Direct as I think from what you say, you'd benefit from the advice of a saddler... I just thought it would give you an idea of what to expect to pay for a 2nd hand saddle.
 
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