Bad experience with SMS fitters

[Hormonal Filly]

I've had a right nightmare with saddle fitters.. bought a new Albion last year fitted by a SMS fitter at just over £2,000 and realised the next day while riding I couldn't get a finger between the pommel and horse. I didn't notice the day of fitting, and was so excited about it I rode and paid for it. Sent some photos to another saddle fitter (thank you H&H Forum) who said it was to wide and the balance was totally off. Returned the saddle that day to the shop, a LONG drive but paranoid I would be stuck with it. They didn't make any comments or call to speak about it, just refunded me the week after.

Then had another SMS fitter visit, I have been trailing two of their saddles for a couple of months (fitted in December) but wasn't convinced I'd buy either and they didn't have anything else to try.

Third time lucky? Had another SMS saddle fitter visit on the weekend, who looked at the saddles I had been trailing first just to see what she'd been being ridden in. One was far to long, one was bridging. She did say the horse could of changed shape but they were fitted less than 8 weeks ago.

The third saddle fitter had two suitable saddles for my my mare, I tried both with no obligation to buy and bought one because I really liked it and my horse went well, so far so good.

One of the saddlers above was on the committee of SMS (Society of Master Saddlers) previously so I expected the best if I'm honest.

Just a post to say how it annoys me we put our trust in professionals and some get it so wrong, I suppose in all aspects of life it can be true. Some owners wouldn't think of getting a second opinion, the horse would be blamed. Tempted to write a complaint about the first saddle fitter, know a couple of others that have had a bad experience, but not sure if its worth my time.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I worry so much about this. I was never convinced my saddle/s fitted my horse. Fitter was highly recommended by several local people but i felt pushed into buying a saddle i was never happy with.

Glad you're sorted now.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I've also come across some bad SMS fitters- it's a shame, but I don't really view SMS accreditation as any kind of assurance now. I've come across good non-SMS qualified fitters (and, for balance, good SMS fitters), but it does seem that they could do with vetting their fitters a bit more if they're going to put out recommendations.

 

[Squeak]

I've also come across some bad saddle fitters, some SMS and some affiliated to the saddle company. I found a good one and now have to drive 3 hours to them. I tried using a highly recommended and qualified local one and it was a car crash.

It makes finding and maintaining a saddle a complete minefield.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I've also come across some bad saddle fitters, some SMS and some affiliated to the saddle company. I found a good one and now have to drive 3 hours to them. I tried using a highly recommended and qualified local one and it was a car crash.

It makes finding and maintaining a saddle a complete minefield.

It really does! I eventually gave in and accepted my newly fitted saddle was no good when i purchased and used a cheap synthetic saddle off ebay and had a much sweeter horse! I then had a fitter out to look who said it didn't fit, went back to the old one and horrible horse re-appeared.
Maybe I'm lucky in that my horse is fairly vocal about what he does and doesn't like. Otherwise I'd have carried on using the fitted expensive one and caused goodness knows what issues. He now has a different saddle from a different fitter, she said in her opinion its fitted tow wide but that's the way he chooses it so that's what we have done! I think in my case previous fitters have fitted "correctly" but not taking into account the horses preference!

 

[Polos Mum]

Saddles is one of those areas where I've tried to educate myself and ask lots of questions of various fitters to do so.
It's sad that you can't rely on quality advice but that is the case so we have to work around it.

I had one fitter (also qualified physio) who let the horse sniff each saddle and then told me she would pick based on their sniff reaction as they knew best from the smell !
Needless to say I didn't buy from that one.

I had a nightmare (bum high, forward girth groove, young so immature topline) horse that I finally found one that didn't rub him. Rode nicely in it for 6 months - got fitter to check it and she flocked it to be "correct" as he was in more consistent work and really matured in shape. It went immediately to giving me back ache and rubbing him like all the saddles before - ahhhhhhhhh
Clearly he hadn't read any of the training material and 'correct' didn't work for him.

 

[ester]

The best saddler I ever encountered wasn’t a qualified fitter and mostly seemed to do things by feel/vibe never saw me sat on the saddle but they were just ‘right’. Main issue was getting hold of him as you had to time it for when he wasn’t doing more fun stuff on film sets. Had a fab tour round his workshop one day when picking mine up when the tree had been altered.

Pretty much everyone else I’ve know has had people that think they are amazing and people that think they’re terrible and would never use them. I think there’s also probably different ways of doing things and getting to the same answer (but also the wrong one)

 

[Sossigpoker]

The worst fitter I've used was a SMS "qualified " one!
I used quotes because it's not a qualification,.it's just an accreditation to their way of doing things and doesn't equal competence.
My current fitter isn't "qualified " but is by far the best I've used.

 

[Kaylum]

My friend had this 4 saddle fitters, loads of saddles apparently fitted, she knew they didnt, one made to measure had to get her money back on. She is happy with her current fitter and so is her horse.

 

[Flame_]

I have no confidence in saddle fitters whatsoever. I'm pretty convinced most of it's BS they may or may not believe themselves.
I sometimes try using them as a desperate alternative to screwing it up myself, but never, ever, come out of the experience with my faith restored.

 

[Barklands]

Ugh a good saddle fitter is SO hard to come by - feel your pain! There is only one that I know of and trust but he is based miles away down south and only comes out up here for the big yards - I always seem to be working on the dates so can't take mine to see him! Tried two other local fitters and the fit was shocking, I'm no saddle fitter but even i could see they weren't remotely in balance...

So disheartening when you spend your hard earned cash to try and do our best by our equine partners just to be let down

 

[gallopingby]

The worst fitter I've used was a SMS "qualified " one!
I used quotes because it's not a qualification,.it's just an accreditation to their way of doing things and doesn't equal competence.
My current fitter isn't "qualified " but is by far the best I've used.

If you look at the ‘qualifications’ required to become an SMS saddle fitter it seems that you need to be actively involved in selling saddles, this links to it being a ‘trade’ association rather than a training / educational one although ‘training’ is obviously given.
There is an ‘art’ to successful saddle fitting, some of it comes with basic education and experience of equine anatomy and a healthy dose of common sense with the ability to perform basic maths principals such as measuring and matching measurements to the jockey, horse and saddle. Another part is being able to ‘flock’ a saddle correctly and to check the pressure exerted on a horses back as well as having an ‘eye’ to notice how everything works together.

 

[planete]

I ran the gauntlet of treed saddle fitting for forty plus years and decided enough was enough a couple of years ago. I now buy treeless saddles and fit them myself. Happy pony and minimal expense. I know it probably would not be possible if I wanted to compete though but the idea of putting a rigid object on flexing, constantly moving living tissue, dumping a heavy weight on it and expecting it not to create sore points is frankly bonkers to me nowadays.

 

[Patterdale]

I spent most of last year and THOUSANDS of pounds trying to get a saddle fitted for my daughter’s pony. Even had 3 made to measure, from different well known brands.

Each time it was travel long distances to the fitter, wait 6-10 weeks for the saddle, go all excited to pick it up….only for it to be absolutely ridiculously bad. Fight to get my money back, start again.
And I mean REALLY bad. Like plonk it on the pony, stand back and burst out laughing bad.
They were dreadful. Each time, the (different) fitter told me it was fine. Needed time. Looked odd because I was so used to saddles that didn’t fit

I wasted literally months, entire days of travelling and fuel, stress and expense. I did end up getting refunds for the saddles but not the rest of it and all the fittings.

I went back to buying second hand and padding up where necessary. All ponies still happy in them.

I’m afraid I would never use a saddle fitter again.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I spent most of last year and THOUSANDS of pounds trying to get a saddle fitted for my daughter’s pony. Even had 3 made to measure, from different well known brands.

Each time it was travel long distances to the fitter, wait 6-10 weeks for the saddle, go all excited to pick it up….only for it to be absolutely ridiculously bad. Fight to get my money back, start again.
And I mean REALLY bad. Like plonk it on the pony, stand back and burst out laughing bad.
They were dreadful. Each time, the (different) fitter told me it was fine. Needed time. Looked odd because I was so used to saddles that didn’t fit

I wasted literally months, entire days of travelling and fuel, stress and expense. I did end up getting refunds for the saddles but not the rest of it and all the fittings.

I went back to buying second hand and padding up where necessary. All ponies still happy in them.

I’m afraid I would never use a saddle fitter again.

That is shocking Patterdale.. how do you know where to pad? I'm useless when it comes to saddle fitting. Was tempted to save for a course!

 

[Barklands]

I spent most of last year and THOUSANDS of pounds trying to get a saddle fitted for my daughter’s pony. Even had 3 made to measure, from different well known brands.

Each time it was travel long distances to the fitter, wait 6-10 weeks for the saddle, go all excited to pick it up….only for it to be absolutely ridiculously bad. Fight to get my money back, start again.
And I mean REALLY bad. Like plonk it on the pony, stand back and burst out laughing bad.
They were dreadful. Each time, the (different) fitter told me it was fine. Needed time. Looked odd because I was so used to saddles that didn’t fit

I wasted literally months, entire days of travelling and fuel, stress and expense. I did end up getting refunds for the saddles but not the rest of it and all the fittings.

I went back to buying second hand and padding up where necessary. All ponies still happy in them.

I’m afraid I would never use a saddle fitter again.

We are having similar issue with flat backed barrel pony with no wither. Was thinking of caving and getting made to measure - this has affirmed my suspicion that still will likely not fit

 

[SEL]

We are having similar issue with flat backed barrel pony with no wither. Was thinking of caving and getting made to measure - this has affirmed my suspicion that still will likely not fit

I have a WOW saddle on my Thelwell pony. Game changer!

I had to have special short panels made but rest of it was 2nd hand.

 

[Barklands]

I have a WOW saddle on my Thelwell pony. Game changer!

I had to have special short panels made but rest of it was 2nd hand.

Has to be a showing saddle for what we do otherwise we would totally be looking at that!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

We had a locally-renowned SMS fitter out to my yard for a livery. She was one of the Junior staff. This was to fit a blatently-obviously assymetric Arab mare - a novice could have seen what an odd shape she was, it wasn't hard.

The livery had done her very best but had said prior to this "fitter", let us call her L, that she had a limited budget. L had agreed to come out nonetheless and see what she could do.

Fitter rocked-up and from the beginning had a turned-up nose like she'd stepped in something unpleasant. Our happy hackers yard was obviously not of the standard she was used to frequenting and she made both myself as YO and the livery feel it.

She fitted a plain bog-standard Wintec saddle to the mare. Didn't seem to notice the atrophy on the horse's back and failed totally to address it; and plainly resented any queries or questions she was asked.

 

[GrassChop]

I've used so many SMS fitters because I was told to only use these ones and none of them have been any good. I use one that isn't SMS qualified now and wouldn't go back!

 

[Patterdale]

We are having similar issue with flat backed barrel pony with no wither. Was thinking of caving and getting made to measure - this has affirmed my suspicion that still will likely not fit

This pony is similar. In the end we got a Guy Cantin pad which is actually more like a treeless saddle. It’s great!!

 

[Patterdale]

Has to be a showing saddle for what we do otherwise we would totally be looking at that!

The next best fit was a Fylde Hayden but didn’t suit us for jumping.

 

[Patterdale]

That is shocking Patterdale.. how do you know where to pad? I'm useless when it comes to saddle fitting. Was tempted to save for a course!

I rode and groomed professionally for many years which helped give me an eye for it….but really the saddle needs to be the right length, not sat on the shoulders, panels meeting the back all the way along, saddle level with gullet clearance.
My sons pony’s saddle is slightly wide, a front riser sorts this out and makes it level.
Also if the pony is happy and going well then it ain’t broke, so don’t fix it!

 

[SEL]

Has to be a showing saddle for what we do otherwise we would totally be looking at that!

Can't WOW put showing flaps and seat on 16" panels for you? They do all sorts of shapes for para riders

 

[Annagain]

I've been very lucky with saddle fitters I think. As a very young person I think I got ripped off by a local saddle fitter who basically sold me what he had on the van rather than making sure I got a saddle that fit. I soon realised it wasn't right and went to a different saddle fitter who was highly recommended. It meant a two hour round trip as he didn't travel and a day off work as saturday appointments were like hen's teeth but he was excellent. His bedside manner left a bit to be desired but he always showed me what he was doing and explained why he was doing it so I could at least tell when something wasn't right. I stuck with him for 20 years and 4 horses - 3 of which wore the saddle he sold me for Archie.

The only time I had a problem with him was the very last time he came out to us (the last few times he was semi-retired, had sold his house with workshop and indoor arena and had gone mobile only for existing clients) when he fitted Archie's saddle to Wig. It was his last day in work before retiring completely. I think it was just bad luck as Wig had dropped a fair bit of weight from when he arrived with me and carried on dropping weight so within a couple of weeks the saddle didn't fit. I contacted him but he said he'd cancelled his insurance so couldn't do anything to help. He recommended another saddle fitter who had a 4 month waiting list but luckily, as she was coming to someone on the yard she squeezed me in. She just recommended a front riser pad in the short term as she thought he had some muscling up to do and sure enough , within 6 months, the saddle fit him beautifully again. I was a bit annoyed that I'd had to pay for both of them so closely together but I sort of understand why. She has a very similar fitting style to him and is another who really explains what she's doing and why. I really trust her in the same way I trusted the old one.

 

[sbloom]

I just shouldn't click on these posts, and I do resent some of the language and generalisations used, when I know how dam*ed hard this job is. It's not that I think there aren't some fitters who really don't know their stuff, but believe me that you can never know enough, it's a bottomless pit. Most of us get into the trade because we want to do the best for horses, for various reasons not that many make it to, say, 10 years in the trade, and many don't live up to "doing the best by the horse", but it's usually not by intent.

I wrote this the other day, in part inspired by these sorts of tales, and the frustration of customers at getting conflicting answers from fitters. I'm currently having a bit of barney with some fitters saying short points are the work of the devil, and that an A frame saddle tree on a wide horse "will cause atrophy". If it was that easy everybody would be doing it, and doing a bl**y good job.

https://www.facebook.com/stephbloomspecialistsaddlefitter/posts/pfbid02VEu9TtT7BVihkYdBuqTd559i1zuEXsH8phefek3DR2BuL8Qi9cYv46ajzGWTjvvDl

See the SMS as one fitting method and a trade association for manufacturing and you'll be on the money imo.

From the saddle fitter's point of view the biggest challenge we have is how much a saddle is expected to do - horses change shape (daily, literally, let alone over time, no matter whether you notice it or not), riders can change, and we might change what we're doing with the horse - either just slightly (maybe just progressive training) or whole disciplines/activities. We expect one saddle to do it all and the owner wants us to keep the saddle fitting perfectly when we only see the horse once or twice a year. Being involved, monitoring the fit, is the best thing you can do for your horse and your fitter, being very aware of when things might be starting to change, and that there are many occasions where adjusting the saddle to fit is not the best option (from shims, to the feet actually having got worse and causing compensatory movement patterns, and everything in between).

For anyone interested on the inside view from some of the leading designers and fitters in the industry globally have a look here https://professionalsaddlefittersassociation.org/shop - they get a bit rambly and off topic but it's all GOLD, if you like this kind of stuff. The latest series on flexibility, part 2, probably answers these sorts of questions.

 

[lizziebell]

I’ve read a lot of your advice, both on Facebook and in response to posts on here. I am gutted you aren’t in my area as you are a rare example of an exceptional saddle specialist. Good saddle fitters are really hard to find these days.

 

[sbloom]

I’ve read a lot of your advice, both on Facebook and in response to posts on here. I am gutted you aren’t in my area as you are a rare example of an exceptional saddle specialist. Good saddle fitters are really hard to find these days.

Thank you Where are you?

 

[lizziebell]

Thank you Where are you?

Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border

 

[planete]

My post was not meant to denigrate saddle fitters in any way. I believe that they are being set a nearly impossible job considering the inadequacies of the merchandise at their disposal. Until the industry finds a way of making a flexible and infinitely self adapting interface between horse and rider horses will suffer and riders, and fitters, will keep chasing an impossible solution.