Can a professional saddler be wrong?

[stanley1234]

I had a saddle professionally fitted and consequently bought it. Before buying, I did ride in it and it felt ok at the time. But since then, when I've rode in it, my 4 year old has gone terribly - head in air and just going very, very badly, which is kinda unusual because he was making good progress. As far as I can see and feel, I think he's displaying distress signals. Can a professional fitter be wrong? Should I seek a second opinion on the saddle? Or do you think the 4 year old is just chancing his luck?

 

[scotsmare]

Get a second opinion from a different saddler and also get someone to look at your horses back - it might be one or the other that's not right.

 

[archie1]

a local saddler here sold someone a saddle. 1 month later he drove past the person, forgetting who they were, pulled over and asked who had fitted that saddle because it was awful. he had the qualifications but was wrong. go for a second opinion

 

[Super_Kat]

You need to get the saddler who fitted and sold you the saddle to come back and check it, if you're still not happy THEN get the opinion of another saddler (I'm going through crap like this at the moment and this is how you need to do tihngs).

 

[Happytohack]

A saddle fitter can definitely be wrong. I had a saddle professionally fitted for a new horse. Like you, I trusted the saddler and tried the saddle and it felt fine. Fairly soon afterwards, my mare was unhappy to have the girth done up and felt a bit "stuffy" to ride. I swapped back to my faithful old Torsion and she was fine again - the physio checked her back and it was also fine. I sold the saddle at a loss, but I would rather have a comfortable horse. 2 years later, I am once again about to embark on a saddle hunt for her, as the Torsion really is falling apart now.

 

[air78]

In short, Yes!

 

[nelliefinellie]

Agree with super_kat - get original saddler out first and give him / her a chance to sort it. Maybe get a physio out too - your horse may have back problems unrelated to the saddle: a good physio should be able to give you an idea of whether the horse has any painful issues and whether they are likely to be saddle related.

Have you tried riding in the saddle you used when you were making good progress prior to having new saddle fitted?

 

[richjpeckham]

Saddlers are a breed of their own, plus anybody makes mistakes, get a 2nd opinion - or buy a saddle with the wintec cair easy gullet system - then fit it yourself, gullets are easy to change (I have one) and you can alter it as your horse changes shape!

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Get a second opinion. I had a saddle fitted by a Master Saddler. The saddle ended up pinching her badly & you could see dents in her muscle after I'd taken it off, this was after a 20 minute ride so yes, they can be wrong.

Needless to say, saddle went back & I demanded a full refund for the service he should have provided.

 

[Fiorano]

A friend of mine has had no end of saddles fitted by professionals and after several years she has only just found a saddler that (a) listened to her after all she knows her horse and his ailments and (b) arranged a follow-up at the initial fitting. Her saddler was excellent and her horse is now going really well. She was so pleased with the approach of the saddler she has had the same for her youngster.

 

[Donkeymad]

Absolutely. Experience counts more than the qualification IMHO. Call him back and if he won't do something get a second opinion.

 

[moodiestmare]

Yes they can! They are only human!

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Yes, sadly they can. I've struggled all the time I've had my horse (over ten years) to find a saddle that is comfortable for us both, and I'm still searching.

 

[PeterNatt]

The other alternative is to have a custom made saddle made for your horse.

 

[vennessa]

I know of a qualified saddle fitter that has caused damage to a lot of horses backs.

 

[lilpinkdonkey4]

When did you buy this saddle...? A 4 year old can change an awful lot even in a few weeks. I wouldnt jump on the saddlers back accusing them of being wrong but ask them out again to sort the problem. ALSO have you had its initial check? you should have had it checked 9 - 12 weeks after purchase as the flocking tends to settle in a new saddle hence alter the fit of the saddle.

 

[ladyt25]

Yes as per Bonita i wouldn't go to the expense of having a saddle made for your horse yet as they grow and bulk out so much. WMy sister's horse had a saddle 'fitted' by a saddler (not convinced she really had real expertise mind). It seemed ok to start but then the horse started getting really stroppy having the girth tightened and when walking downhills just freaked out. Turns out the saddle was pinching his withers and a lot of this was due to him having changed shape from when we first got him (he was 4) so we spent a long time finding one to fit and found him a nice Albion that fits him brilliantly and his stroppiness miraculously disappeared!