Do you trust your saddle fitter?

Yes, he would not be my saddle fitter otherwise! Other saddle fitters I have passed on as I didn't trust them as they were more sales people than saddle fitters.
 
Totally trust mine. Have had fitters in the past who did a pretty poor assesment then tried to sell me a saddle well over the stated budget. Current saddler is fab. She spends a long time checking out the shape of the horse, identifying any imbalances, muscle tension etc then watches the horse move under saddle with the rider(s). She keeps good records too! She is happy to tell you everything is all OK and no work needs doing if this is teh case, happy to make minor adjustments to the current saddle if this is a suitable option, happy to refuse to fit a saddle (share horse at investigation stage) if she feels it is inappropriate to do so, happy to recommended alternative places for a cheaper purchase than she can do it for or will sell one of her own if that suits :D
 
I've had a bit of bad luck with saddlers, so I take what they say with a pich of salt and question everything. One very well known and well respected in saddler in Hertfordshire sold me a saddle out of his van, which did not fit my new horse at all, but was the best one in the van on the day. Unfortunately I was not at the fitting and when I complained they only wanted to charge me more money to alter it. It was such a poor fit that muscle wasted started to occur within 3 weeks of using it! Another saddler sold me an ill fitting saddle, but told me I would never find a saddle off the peg to fit my horse, and refused to give me a refund, saying the saddle he sold did fit my horse, and I should buy a riser and just get on with it!

There is only one saddler I trust now, but I still question everything, and don't let them leave until I am completely satisfied it is right for me and the horse! I also don't use any saddler who can't flock onsite. What's the point of having a saddle sent away to be reflocked, if it can't be checked and tweaked on the horse?
 
I think that I am just too cynical. I always act of the recommendation of someone who I respect as an expert in their field - but I sometimes wonder if the fact that saddle fitters are only trained if they are linked to a shop, is not rather a bad move.

Whilst I know that it is good to have examples of saddles to try and assess, I would have thought that a really good and thorough examination and assessment of the horse's natural shape and any problems that they currently have, would enable a good fitter to dismiss some makes and recommend others.

I know of one person who spend quite a bit of money getting their saddle re-adjusted and then was sold the biggest, thickest pad "while it bedded in".

Surely, if it fitted properly, the pad wasn't needed???

Or I am completely wrong???
 
I trust my saddle fitter to the ends of the earth, and couldn't speak any more highly of him!!

He point blank refused to sell me saddles where either myself of the horse were compensating in some way (I have long legs so have to accomodate this!). Whereas many other saddlers have tried... Then started suggesting things like numnahs full of blocks (which is absolute rubbish as a saddle should fit out right.)

Yes it was a 5 month struggle to find the right one that fitted him and me, but it fits and its perfect and was it to cause any problems I know he would sort them out for free!
 
Mines not linked to a shop, she does sell some saddles but she's not a shop. Primarily does rehab work out of a rehab centre.

A massive pad should always be a no IMHO!
 
Yes totally trust my saddler, had her for 10 years and have had no worries! She knows me and my horse and when we had a rough patch a few years ago she was really good with helping to rule out saddle problems as the cause! If u don't trust your saddler try someone else.
 
Ive also had a terrible time with saddle fitters in the past. I went direct to Barnsby cause I love their saddles but turns out they are only good at making them not fitting them!!! Hundreds & hundreds of pounds later after back problems and really rude communications, Master Saddlers got involved. I was pointed in the direction of Bridalpath International. Highly recommeded!!!! They even gave me a free jumping lesson once we were done saddle fitting :D

I think finding a good saddle fitter is pot luck if you cant find someone to recommend.
 
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