Buying saddles off t'internet

[arizonahoney]

Have you? Any sage advice before I possibly do the same thing?

 

[AmyMay]

Yes, I have.

My saddler came out first to measure the horse and fit a particular brand to him - then told me exactly what to go out and purchase.

He then came back and fitted the saddle to the horse.

 

[Aidey]

I bought a wintec one off ebay so if it didn't fit I just had to change the gullet!

 

[devilwoman]

Yes i've bought 2 synthetics off e-bay, both have been fine, if you go down e-bay route always make sure seller has good feedback and pay through paypal incase of problems.

 

[equestrianabbie]

Yes, I have.

My saddler came out first to measure the horse and fit a particular brand to him - then told me exactly what to go out and purchase.

He then came back and fitted the saddle to the horse.

^ This

 

[joeanne]

If buying off the net and the price looks too good to be true....it probably is!
Many a stolen saddle goes through a certain auction website. An HHO member recently had her stolen saddle turn up after a couple of years.

 

[ellie_e]

I bought a bates off interenet as almost £400 cheaper, thought id be ok as you can change the gullets, saddler came out to fit it, and completly the wrong shape, ended up having to send it back and spend £1300 on an albion (which i love)

 

[Wagtail]

Yes, bought quite a few. Wintecs and Bates don't fit flat backed or very wide horses. They are best suited to TB types. My TB takes a WIDE gullet in a wintec.

 

[JenniferS]

If buying off the net and the price looks too good to be true....it probably is!

Not necessarily! I sold an almost brand new Henri De Rivel close contact saddle on eBay. It had a starting bid of 99p with no reserve so I didn't have to pay any fees to list it. There was no bids for days though, as I think some people were put off by the price. Eventually it did pick up and went for £300+