Bridlepath saddlery - saddle fitters

lochpearl

lochpearl

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Are they any good? we have them coming out to the yard in a few weeks and wondered how good they are. I have just spent £1100 on a new albion for my horse with a different saddler that I have used for years and it doesn't fit, he says it will when the horse trims down but he has trimmed down and is more muscley so will never fit!
 
Personally i've never used them, but they're from my local area and regarded as the best. I've heard nothing but great things about them! :)
 
Suffolkangel said:
Personally i've never used them, but they're from my local area and regarded as the best. I've heard nothing but great things about them! :)
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I have never personally had dealings with them, but total opposite to the above, I have heard nothing but bad things about them! I certainly would not say that they are regarded as the best either. As I have not had them to my horses though, I wouldn't like to say whether or not they are good or bad.

I had Liz from Mill Saddlery (again mixed opinions on here) but I have to say she was fantastic, came out three times (did not charge for callout) fitted a saddle which has made my horse move in a totally different (good) way, and I have nothing but praise for her. Yes, they are overpriced and charge more than most, but I have no qualms about paying a premium for something I can be sure fits.

Interestingly though, I think Liz did train at Bridlepath at some point.
 
bought both my saddles from Bridlepath (once Liz and once the chap) and excellent both times - used them for a long time and have never been given the hard sell if saddle fitted.

Now use Mark Fisher as he is local to me and he has never mentioned issues with the fit of either saddle

Would recommend
 
How about Long Melford saddlery? I have never bought a saddle from them but they seem very helpful and approach able.
Also if you want a day out but its really worth the trek,Miss Dodds -Noble at Sandon saddlery, sandon near Royston.
This is a wonderous place, she must have hundreds of 2nd hand saddle stacked from floor to ceiling. Take you old saddle, a wire template of you horses back a good idea of what you want. Go in the week and they shut for lunch, be warned she doesn't suffer fools gladly but she really knows her stuff! A lot of her saddles are almost new sold by saddle fitters/saddlers that end up not fitting. Every thing from polo,sidesaddle, top quality dressage and cheap childrens saddles.
I have bought four saddles over the years from her, all still in use. She will let you take them on 7 days trial which has been a godsend for the hard to fit fatties I have.
I have never used a saddle fitter as I think its a bit like buying childrens shoes, you go to Clarkes have their feet measured, they say the're one size you know from past experience they're not and you end up having the size you origanally thought your child would be.
My tip is when they come out get a friend to watch you ride in it as somethimes they miss its too long in the back and swings when ridden in.
 
long melford are not qualified saddlers - i was horrified when i asked and they were going to charge me 50 quid call out for a non-pro to turn up!
 
thanks honetpot I know Sandon very well but they never have the right saddle, most are too narrow for my boy or they don't fit me in the seat.

I have heard fabulous reviews about Mill - 3 of my friends bought new saddles a few weeks ago and another had 2 refitted, the problem is the call out is high and I thought it would be an idea to use the one my friend is using, she doesn't suffer fools so hopefully we should be ok there.

Thanks everyone for your input, I am just annoyed that my saddler has decided to become **** otherwise I would have had him out again, but said horse was having one made to measure which should have taken 4 weeks, over 3 months later I cancelled the order and gave up as it still wasn't with me!!
 
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