Best saddle for youngster and saddle fitters in Suffolk??

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zoeshiloh

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www.stowmarketanddistrictridingclub.com
Well, my 3yo will soon be under saddle, and I am looking around to try and gauge the best one to start his ridden career off. He is currently being lunged and longlined in a wintec 500 with changeable gullet. I have measured and changed the gullet to fit him as best I can, but I definately want it checked by a saddle fitter before anyone gets on him.

I have heard though that wintecs aren't the best "first saddles" for young horses, and just wondered what other people's thoughts were? When my boy has muscled up and grown up I will be buying him a new leather saddle, probably the Albion K2 which IMO is a fantastic saddle. But for now I don't see the point in paying out lots of money for a saddle that wont fit properly for long (bit like buying kids shoes for school I guess!)

And for those in Suffolk, what saddle fitters do you recommend? I have heard good and bad things about Bridlepath, so any feedback from those that have had them is very welcome. They would be the obvious choice but I just want the best for my lad.
 
Hi I have used them and they are good but have also heard good things about Mills saddlers..
If you just need fitting for wintec then use Kate Windle I think I still have her number you can pm if you want it.She fitted my bates for my horse as she was young and changing shape.
 
There is a guy called Mark (can't remember sur name!) who comes from Cambridge, he's a master saddler and I've not heard anything but good things.

He's excellent and fits saddles for some of the olympic team as well as working for WHW training saddlers abroad to improve the welfare of horses in poor countries. I've got his number but I'm sure there are others who will know his full name and probably his website address?!?!

Thanks
 
I have the Thorowgood T4 which I LOVE! I wasn't keen on having a synthetic saddle but like you, could bring myself to spend a fortune on a saddle that would only fit for a few months. I originally intended it as a temporary measure but am actually quite tempted to keep it. I've had it for a year and have cleaned it less than a dozen times but it still looks good as new.

It has a suede looking seat and knee panels which have definately helped with my stickability! It has an adjustable gullet and the added bonus that the girth straps are moveable so gives greater flexibility with girthing options to help with uneven shoulders/ muscle development/ and the roly poly belly that my WB is prone to!
 
I have nothing but good to sy about Bridlepath - they fitted a CC SJ saddle and Dressage saddle to my lad.

Now use Mark Fisher (who I think poster above meant) as he is closer to me (Newton near Wisbech) and he confirmed the fit of both saddles as fone

Everyone on my old yard used Bridlepath and I know of no one (15 plus people) who had any issues
 
i wouldnt use a wintec if i was given one, for various reasons. Thorowgoods are a good first saddle. They have a changeable headplate, adjustable girthig arrangement and 3 different models (i.e. tree/panel types) for different types of horse. Much more likely to get one that fits.
 
Hi
Mill Saddlery - great and have a good selection of secondhand. I started of with a secondhand leather gp - actually from Martin Wilkinson in herts (great saddler) then he got a wintec 500 (of ebay) this ended up being too narrow down the spine, so last year he got a new ideal tonisha which is heaven!!! Not an ideal situation as he was only 4, but impossible to fit. Touch wood we've been lucky, now 51/2 and only needed a tweak a few months ago.
Personally don't like synthetics, but they are prob best affordable option for a baby
 
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