Bad experience with SMS fitters

I’ve had the benefit of using Sbloom in the past before she moved away and can vouch for her expertise and wealth of knowledge (In both saddle fitting and horse training / symmetry)
I now use a master saddler, not because she has a particular qualification but because she’s good. I did kiss a few frogs in between Sbloom and my current saddler.
As my horse is just coming back into work I guess we are due a saddle check, I just want to ensure horse looks like he’s staying sound first before I book!
 
Barklands said:
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 😬
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I'm afraid the worst fitting saddles I have come across have been made to measure 😕. Fortunately not mine.
 
Im in the south west and use a master saddler along with a large chunk of other liveries. No complaints at all shes very good at her job.
I dont know what we will do if she ever moves away/changes jobs! 😱
 
I guess like many qualifications, it depends on how much the holder of the qualification puts into it. Do you pass the exam and never look at learning material again (or do the bare minimum cpd)? Or do you strive to be the best you can be?
 
Just to throw a spanner in the works.. noticed yesterday when giving my mare a massage she was sore in her back under the back of the saddle. I noticed it feels like the new saddle (fitted last week) is pushing me in the bum when I rise.

A friend filmed today, can see it’s bouncing up and down terribly behind! I switched and rode in one of the GPs I’ve had on trial from another saddle fitter and she went much nicer. Mare likes that saddle although apparently it’s to long she was never sore in her back in the last 2 months I’ve been using it - but it doesn’t give me any support and I find it difficult to ride in.

I don’t know what to do.. this is the 5th saddle fitter in the last 12 months.
 
lizziebell said:
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.
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Same here as I've had some stability back in my work/career world and my chiro recommended a new saddle based on what she had seen in my horse. My own riding has massively changed as a result of horse's own issues so something I am keen to visit. Have seen sbloom's FB as well a few times and the attention to the riders own biomechanics and physical challenges (shall we call it?) let alone the horse, is one of the few I've seen (or at least found so far but have only just started searching)
 
My saddle fitter is from Derbyshire (I'm in Sussex) and I just make sure I am free whenever she is in the area, she is brilliant! Very straight talking and has told people she won't fit if their horses are lame, and will tell you if you are too heavy or leaning to one side which I really appreciate; also let me rent a saddle from her as Dex will change shape so much, or will lend you a shim pad etc if needed until you can buy one - really cares about her clients. A few at the yard use her now too and no-one has a bad word to say, I'm not sure if she is SMS but if she changes job I will have a breakdown!
 
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Zoeypxo said:
Im in the south west and use a master saddler along with a large chunk of other liveries. No complaints at all shes very good at her job.
I dont know what we will do if she ever moves away/changes jobs! 😱
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We have a couple of good ones in the SW luckily. Unicorn is very good with Phil. Andrea Hicks is very good. A couple of others are a bit marmite. Some good experiences and some not so good. I personally use a saddle specialist who specialises in 3 brands and never had a bad experience.
 
Zoeypxo said:
Im in the south west and use a master saddler along with a large chunk of other liveries. No complaints at all shes very good at her job.
I dont know what we will do if she ever moves away/changes jobs! 😱
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Could you message me who you use, I’m unable to message you first.

Just trying to work out who to try next. I’m SW based.
 
lynz88 said:
Same here as I've had some stability back in my work/career world and my chiro recommended a new saddle based on what she had seen in my horse. My own riding has massively changed as a result of horse's own issues so something I am keen to visit. Have seen sbloom's FB as well a few times and the attention to the riders own biomechanics and physical challenges (shall we call it?) let alone the horse, is one of the few I've seen (or at least found so far but have only just started searching)
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Can recommend Mandy Miller / Olympus Saddles, she’s at your yard 28th Feb.
 
nutjob said:
Can you post or pm me who it is?
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sbloom said:
Pretty sure there's only one fitter that fits that description and she's MSFC I think.
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Gosh you're good sbloom! Her name is Georgina Davidge, on Facebook as Georgina Davidge Saddle Fitting. She is an AH and Black Country specialist if you are looking to buy, but has checked the fit of other brands of saddle for me before now.
 
AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
Gosh you're good sbloom! Her name is Georgina Davidge, on Facebook as Georgina Davidge Saddle Fitting. She is an AH and Black Country specialist if you are looking to buy, but has checked the fit of other brands of saddle for me before now.
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We both fit for AH and have met several times, in fact she came out on a fitting with me when she first started with AH ☺️
 
Going to contact Andrea Hicks AH saddles and see if I can book an appointment. Thank you @sbloom

Contacted the saddler who fitted the new saddle 2 weeks ago to say it was lifting behind. The fitter said ‘oh I’m sorry, we tried, if you want to post or drop it off that would be great’

The shop is over a hour away and to send a saddle via post worth that much it’s about £40.. leaving me out of pocket.

Instantly washing their hands, no other options. Very disappointed in another SMS fitter.
 
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