Fitting a saddle

E

ERB

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 October 2009
Messages
64
Visit site
I need to get a new saddle so have booked a master saddler recommended to me by the person that did my horses back. I know that locally everyone raves about them being very good, however, a friend of mine had them out to fit a saddle for her and I wasn't overly impressed as the they didn't see her ride in it. Am I just being picky or should a saddler watch you ride in the saddle to make sure it fits correctly? Whenever I've had a saddle fitted before they've taken the saddles that fit the horse and then I've ridden in them to make sure they don't interfere with movement/rise at the back etc. I don't know whether to book someone else instead.
 
Yes they should see you ride in it. For example my saddler said that my Albion looked perfect before she'd seen me sit on it. Then after I'd got on and done 5 mins in the school, she saw that it was touching his spine at the back.
 
Yes they should see you ride in it. Saddlers do vary though. A friend of mine is a Master Saddler, she actually tests people. She says the modern way, is to have really soft flocking in the saddle. She feels the German saddles are flocked far too hard. When she checked my new KN Dressage saddle she only just approved of it because of the firm flocking.
 
thank you, I think I'll get in touch with the saddler that I used to use with my last horse, hopefully he'll travel and if not will be able to recommend someone himself - had a bit of a break from owning horses for a few years and now living in a different area so don't have the same horsey contacts I used to unfortunately
 
Yes, a saddle fitter should always see you ride in walk and trot at a minimum.

You also need a saddle FITTER not a master saddler. two different things.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top