Excellent saddler in Central Scotland?

[Orangina]

Hello, does anyone have recommendations for a very good saddler in Central Scotland? I have had a bit of an awful experience so ideally looking for recommendations of saddlers that have managed to fix other saddler’s messes!!! I would happily travel a couple of hours if they are too busy to come to me but I really want to see someone ASAP and can be as flexible as possible.

 

[EmmaC78]

I use Millbrae Saddlery near East Kilbride.

 

[saddlesore]

Shirley Justice Scottish side saddles is excellent

 

[TPO]

Where in Central are you? PM if you prefer

I know of one to definitely avoid and a couple that weren't much use.

I've never used Laura Simpson of Amazying Saddlery but I've heard very good things about her fitting.

Again not used her but Holly of Grange Saddlery is next on my list for this spring. Again heard very good things about her fitting along with customer service and manners.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Holly of Grange Saddlery ..I was nervous when Ellis retired but Holly is great. Not a fan of Amazing Saddlers..poor customer service and those who I know used them dont continue to do so. Never used Stirlingshire and heard mixed reviews.

 

[blood_magik]

Donald from millbrae saddlery

 

[TPO]

Not a fan of Amazing Saddlers..poor customer service and those who I know used them dont continue to do so

That's what I've heard too. I tried to book them once and the communication was awful so didn't pursue it when she text at 11pm the night before to offer a space at 10am the next working day. Similarly, people I personally know who've used her said that her fitting was good but she was very rude to and about them. So I guess it depends how thick your skin is. Mine isn't! Ha ha

Louise at Stirlingshire absolute no. I used her (2008ish), friends have used her and other liveries over the years and all negative. Never heard anything about Aileen and no experience of her fitting so can't comment.

 

[Caol Ila]

I like Laura and I think she does a good job fitting, but her customer service can be impossible. For something completely different, I would recommend Fran at Riding in Balance. She works with treeless/leather treed saddles. She did not have anything in stock that suited my Highland (he is very wide and flat-backed), but she gave us a week's trial on one that might have worked.

And she made an appointment a week or two after I contacted her, rather than three months!

 

[Orangina]

Thanks all, seems it is a bit tricky to get a consensus on saddlers! I had thought about looking at treeless saddles but then had read a report about them actually being worse for a horse's back (but who knows who that was commissioned by!)

 

[Caol Ila]

Thanks all, seems it is a bit tricky to get a consensus on saddlers! I had thought about looking at treeless saddles but then had read a report about them actually being worse for a horse's back (but who knows who that was commissioned by!)

Leather tree isn't treeless.

Highland did wind up in a treeless, just not one Fran sells. I read reports to that effect too, but there's also evidence that a well-constructed treeless that fits your horse isn't worse than a treed one. That's a whole different thread, though!

Part of my reasoning for going treeless was the difficulty and expense of finding saddle fitters. I rode my old horse in a Thorowgood T4 for a few years, and she changed shape so much between seasons that you really needed the saddle fitter twice per year. Drove me crazy. I switched to a leather tree for the last three or so years of her life, and it was far less hassle. Horse moved better too.

 

[sbloom]

Can I be a real stickler....saddler, master saddler - qualified to make and repair saddles. I've even had a saddler accuse the saddle fitting industry of trying to pass themselves off as saddlers. None of us are, it's just a very commonly used (and lazy, forgive me!) short hand. You're looking for a saddle fitter I think

There is seldom a consensus on saddle fitters, once you find a good one hang onto them, trust them, and work with them

Treeless saddles can be very good, for some combos, aren't necessarily worse for the horse's back, but I'm a way better fan of a well fitted treed saddle.

 

[Orangina]

Can I be a real stickler....saddler, master saddler - qualified to make and repair saddles. I've even had a saddler accuse the saddle fitting industry of trying to pass themselves off as saddlers. None of us are, it's just a very commonly used (and lazy, forgive me!) short hand. You're looking for a saddle fitter I think

There is seldom a consensus on saddle fitters, once you find a good one hang onto them, trust them, and work with them

Treeless saddles can be very good, for some combos, aren't necessarily worse for the horse's back, but I'm a way better fan of a well fitted treed saddle.

Take your point but I think everyone knew what I meant

 

[Orangina]

Leather tree isn't treeless.

Highland did wind up in a treeless, just not one Fran sells. I read reports to that effect too, but there's also evidence that a well-constructed treeless that fits your horse isn't worse than a treed one. That's a whole different thread, though!

Part of my reasoning for going treeless was the difficulty and expense of finding saddle fitters. I rode my old horse in a Thorowgood T4 for a few years, and she changed shape so much between seasons that you really needed the saddle fitter twice per year. Drove me crazy. I switched to a leather tree for the last three or so years of her life, and it was far less hassle. Horse moved better too.

Yes sorry was just replying to the treeless bit as that was the bit that I had read something about -hadn't actually heard of leather trees so will definitely look into them.

 

[Regandal]

I can recommend Jane Cumberlidge, she will advise on suitable makes for you. She does carry one brand but fortunately lives in the real world and will advise on others that may fit. Also adjusts flocking on site.

 

[holeymoley]

I found Leona very decent. She flocked my saddle to try and adjust the fit but was very honest in saying it may or may not work. I’ve used Laura from Amayzing before, I know a lot of people that use her. I think she’s good, but I also find her quite arrogant, I think she pushes for sales too. Everytime she’s out most of the horse’s need a new saddle. I’m not doubting they don’t change shape but I know someone who has her out quarterly and needs a new saddle every time… ?

 

[sbloom]

Take your point but I think everyone knew what I meant

I know they did, everyone does, but I make polite requests that people use the correct name. Your vet would be annoyed to be called a dentist, most farriers don't like being called blacksmiths, again a different profession (though I'm aware in certain parts of the country that latter one isn't quite such a thing).

 

[TPO]

@sbloom you just need to hurry up and move here so that we can all have access to a reliably good saddle fitter (?)

 

[atropa]

Holly from the Grange is fab, absolutely no hard sell and excellent communication, I use her for two of my horses.
Donald at Millbrae also good, have had Clare Molyneux also who was good but obviously suits more if you have a specific type of horse.
Tried to book Amayzing twice in the past but never even got a reply so stopped bothering, I know people who rave about her though.
Had LA Saddle Fitter once, complete and utter waste of money for me although I know others who are happy with her.

 

[sbloom]

Donald at Millbrae also good, have had Clare Molyneux also who was good but obviously suits more if you have a specific type of horse.

Clare fits a wider range of shapes than you might think. Always worth asking.

@sbloom you just need to hurry up and move here so that we can all have access to a reliably good saddle fitter (?)

Trust me, I'm trying!! Though of course I can't really come out and check saddles such as in this instance...sorry!

 

[EventingMum]

Laura spends more time than any other saddle fitter I know analysing the horse's conformation and way of going and how that affects the saddle fit, she has horses trotted up in hand before doing anything else. She is definitely forthright in her views and won't mince her words but genuinely cares about the horse's welfare. She is excellent for difficult to fit horses. She is very much in demand so it is very hard to get appointments, especially at short notice.

Donald is more traditional but does a good job and he has a school if you can travel to him.

Stirlingshire get very mixed reviews, I think one of them is better than the other.

Holly gets a good name but has a more limited range and is keen on Arena, Wintec and Bates from what I've heard.

I know people who swear by Cecily Thorne but I haven't used her, likewise, I have a client who really rates someone from The Saddle Exchange who travels to Scotland every few months.

I do know that SMS registered saddle fitters have a code of conduct that does not permit them to fit saddles that have been fitted by other SMS Saddle Fitters in the last 6 months which can be problematic if you disclose this to them.

 

[Caol Ila]

Laura spends more time than any other saddle fitter I know analysing the horse's conformation and way of going and how that affects the saddle fit, she has horses trotted up in hand before doing anything else. She is definitely forthright in her views and won't mince her words but genuinely cares about the horse's welfare. She is excellent for difficult to fit horses. She is very much in demand so it is very hard to get appointments, especially at short notice.

Donald is more traditional but does a good job and he has a school if you can travel to him.

Stirlingshire get very mixed reviews, I think one of them is better than the other.

Holly gets a good name but has a more limited range and is keen on Arena, Wintec and Bates from what I've heard.

I know people who swear by Cecily Thorne but I haven't used her, likewise, I have a client who really rates someone from The Saddle Exchange who travels to Scotland every few months.

I do know that SMS registered saddle fitters have a code of conduct that does not permit them to fit saddles that have been fitted by other SMS Saddle Fitters in the last 6 months which can be problematic if you disclose this to them.

Yeah, that last is unamusing when a saddle fitter doesn't get it quite right, and your horse is a bit sore and has uneven sweat patches on its back a week after fitting. It's not an exact science, so you're patient and empathetic when you say that it should be checked again. But aforesaid saddler says they cannot return to your yard for the next three months. You are not that patient. Saddle fitter #2 won't come, because saddle fitter #1 recently fit your horse. Clearly, you should have lied, but why would you know this? Saddle fitter #3 shows up, but they just change the gullet bar. Saddle remains NQR. You, the frustrated and p1ssed off horse owner, go the leather tree route, and for your next horse, you are very reluctant to go back to traditional treed.

 

[Zuzan]

Agree with @Caol Ila leather trees are really good .. enough structure to provide stability and good weight distribution and enough flex to accommodate movement. It's really old tech .. I don't really understand why they aren't used more.. as well as being relatively sustainable. I love my one it's working very well on a difficult to fit high long withered broad and short back.. with huge shoulders.. very pleased we went down this route and also just to add that I had Fran from Riding in Balance out to fit ours .. she is very good and also very honest. An excellent person to deal with.

 

[atropa]

Clare fits a wider range of shapes than you might think.

Ah apologies, I should clarify that this is just from my own personal experience - I have a couple of horses who seem to be more standard, easy to fit with common saddle brand shapes, whereas for one particular horse of mine I felt I needed a bit more specialist knowledge/saddle in the shape of Clare. I didn't mean to imply that Clare is not suitable for a wide range of horses, more that if you have a particularly tricky horse she might be more useful than trying some of the more commonly recommended fitters first

 

[McFluff]

Laura spends more time than any other saddle fitter I know analysing the horse's conformation and way of going and how that affects the saddle fit, she has horses trotted up in hand before doing anything else. She is definitely forthright in her views and won't mince her words but genuinely cares about the horse's welfare. She is excellent for difficult to fit horses. She is very much in demand so it is very hard to get appointments, especially at short notice.

This is my experience of Laura. I really rate her and she fitted my impossible (according to another fitter) horse. And she has definitely helped to improve and build up my current horses muscles after previous (before I owned them) saddle damage. I’ve never found her push for a sale, indeed she actively won’t sell if it isn’t right. At one point she wouldn’t sell me a made to measure as she (correctly) assessed that my horse would change shape and need another year of work before getting a longer term saddle. I wasn’t going to recommend though as she’s full and not taking new clients. And you have to book well in advance, so wouldn’t suit OP current situation.