Scheherezade
Well-Known Member
Sorry for the double post. But I need a moan, hot weather makes me grumpy 
Every time I get the saddler(s) out I just feel it's a massive waste of time. Today I got 'the best in the north' who apparently fits the pro riders based round here, and is very difficult to get hold of. I told her that I had a dressage saddle I wanted to exchange for a jump saddle. That my horse was a wide but has since lost weight so is probably a bit narrower, and has a very flat back so needs something that wouldn't rock. I also said that I was looking to part exchange so how much I could pay depended on how much she could offer me for mine i.e. I am not made of money.
She said that was fine, and she would bring a SELECTION of saddles to try. So she turns up with ONE £1500 saddle, which to be fair fit very nicely, with a minor alteration. She offered me it for £1000 p.x., which is still too much. And charged me £45 call out/fitting.
So now I still have my dressage (which I don't like to ride in, it just doesn't 'fit' me), don't have a saddle, and am £45 down. She told me to 'look on ebay' for one, and she would come out to fit it, and told me 3 saddles to look out for, all of which are £800+ second hand.
I understand my horse is difficult to fit, BUT I did tell her exactly the problems (flat back so needs a flat, not curved, tree) and feel like I am down £45 with nothing to show for it. I can't find any of these 3 saddles, so I don't know what else to do. And £45?! ridiculous.
Bah grump.

Every time I get the saddler(s) out I just feel it's a massive waste of time. Today I got 'the best in the north' who apparently fits the pro riders based round here, and is very difficult to get hold of. I told her that I had a dressage saddle I wanted to exchange for a jump saddle. That my horse was a wide but has since lost weight so is probably a bit narrower, and has a very flat back so needs something that wouldn't rock. I also said that I was looking to part exchange so how much I could pay depended on how much she could offer me for mine i.e. I am not made of money.
She said that was fine, and she would bring a SELECTION of saddles to try. So she turns up with ONE £1500 saddle, which to be fair fit very nicely, with a minor alteration. She offered me it for £1000 p.x., which is still too much. And charged me £45 call out/fitting.
So now I still have my dressage (which I don't like to ride in, it just doesn't 'fit' me), don't have a saddle, and am £45 down. She told me to 'look on ebay' for one, and she would come out to fit it, and told me 3 saddles to look out for, all of which are £800+ second hand.
I understand my horse is difficult to fit, BUT I did tell her exactly the problems (flat back so needs a flat, not curved, tree) and feel like I am down £45 with nothing to show for it. I can't find any of these 3 saddles, so I don't know what else to do. And £45?! ridiculous.
Bah grump.