Grrr - saddles. In particular - anyone used Martin Wilkinson?

[ecrozier]

Hmm, so had my absolute favourite saddler out yesterday whose opinion I really really trust, and he thinks I need to replace both my SJ and dressage saddles in the not too far distant future not a huge surprise as both were fitted to my horse as a 5 year old and he is now 7 (had a long period off in that time as well although saddles were checked by someone else more recently - but that's another story!)
However, typically, he's not going to be easy to fit. He's a shade off 17hh now and in a 6'3 rug, so very short coupled. He's got a good wither and as saddler said, a 'massive' front end - he's at least a MW fit, probably W, but this is compounded by a good 'engine' and increasing ability to engage his back end, which is currently causing quite a lot of side to side motion from his Suzannah. We didn't even ride in the jump saddle as I was already fairly sure that was no longer a good fit. Then, to add to the tricky factors above, he's also got (like KirstyHen's mally!) particularly wide vertebrae, so we need a saddle with an extra wide channel between the panels, but not an extra wide saddle, if you see what I mean? Comparing his profile drawing to the others in the file, the contrast from his wither to the back of saddle outline is absolutely massive. An Irish wither and a WB back?!
Anyway - have a few ideas of saddles to try, but problem is that my lovely saddler doesn't actually supply many new brands, and is limited to second hand stock. I am slightly tempted look at getting someone out with more stock to see if we can find something to suit - I don't mind spending a bit more money now as he's getting older. So after a lot of waffle - has anyone bought from Martin Wilkinson? PM if prefer? My other options are to either keep trying to find something second hand, but with him being a bit awkward to fit, i am nervous that could take months and months, or go the Albion route as that is the brand that my saddler did say he thought might suit - we are looking for a very specific Albion jump saddle for him (as that's what my other horse has and it's by far the best fit for Roo now too!) and there is a good local saddle who is an Albion agent but she only stocks albions so I would be restricting my options somewhat..... :/
Anyone else had similar problems? Any suggestions where else I could look for saddles?!?

 

[loopiesteff]

Hi! I got both my albion dressage and jumping saddle of Martin Wilkinson and have been very impressed with the service and care he takes. I couldn't afford new, so did get 2nd hand, but both were in very good condition (the jumping saddle was practically new apart from a tiny scuff on the seat!)

I've used him since and have no reason to change

 

[Arniebear]

Martin wilkinson came out to fit a gp/event on my high withered, short coupled, huge shouldered TB lovely guy who came with a range of saddles i tried 4 until we found the right one. The biggest issue with my guy was he could only just take a 17.5inch saddle as he was so short in the back!! I am awaiting for him to come back out and fit my new boy! The saddle i brought was brand new but he had an intensive range of new and second hand in his van! Would highly recommend him Good luck

 

[imr]

I have used him. No complaints on the saddle for my gelding, its an albion and both the horse and I like it. He does have a long waiting list for appointments though and because of that (I needed a saddle!)and him tending to take over a week to do a reflock I didnt use him for my mare. Added to which on my old mare he fitted a prestige which he said was the only saddle he had which fitted her. Unfortunately both my sister and I hated it, and in retrospect we should have gone to someone else. The problem is that no saddler stocks all brands so it may be worth trying more than one. The lady who did my black country on my mare is no longer a fitter unfortunately, but I have since been to Roger at Ingatestone who seemed good and they have a reasonable selection. A friend has just had a saddle from David Dyer and she was pleased with him. So, another couple of names to try. If the horse is very tricky a semi bespoke saddle might be a solution - Ideal do them and I'm pretty sure Martin stocks them, my black country was semi-bespoke and not insanely expensive and came very quickly (2 weeks) - it has been good - ironically my 7yo is now a more normal shape so I probably wouldnt need a semi-bespoke now but as a 5 yo she had massive shoulders and no loins, and they fitted an extra gusset to take more flocking at the back, as well as some other things. Its on the Eloquence tree, I mention this mostly because the rolling around problem occurred with almost every saddle I tried and the black country does not move so it might be one to have on your list to try.

 

[Lulup]

Martin Wilkinson is not the cheapest or quickest but he is very good and he does have a decent range (and does stock Albion), he also does his own range (made by Ideal) which are very nice and maybe slightly cheaper than other brands. I would say he is probably your best bet in this area especially if you have reasonable budget

 

[9tails]

You can get Albions made to measure at (IME) no extra cost. Mine was made with a wider gullet to accommodate her spine and longer flaps to accommodate my legs. I didn't use Martin Wilkinson as he's out of my area, but my horse came with a Martin Wilkinson saddle that seemed to fit fine. Unfortunately the 17" seat didn't accommodate me.

 

[Bernster]

He is a popular saddler but from direct experience and those I know who have used him, don't be surprised if the only saddle that fits seems to be an expensive/new albion. I've generally heard good things but not 100% positive. That said, the expensive albions I have had off him do fit my horse so my experience has been good.

I'd also try Roger at Ingatestone though for a different range and opinion, although they are all so massively booked up it's hard to get one out quickly.

 

[FireFly29]

I found that he had a very long waiting time to get an appointment, and due to me having a new horse with no saddle I didn't want to wait 5-6 weeks till I could ride my new horse, ingatestone also seemed to have quite a long wait too. I cant comment on the standard of service as I've not used them.
I used Bridlepath in the end and have found them good, will check saddle fit and won't pressure you to buy another new saddle. They also have second hand saddles in stock if you ask them to bring some.

 

[wilde2]

I guess with this sort of thing, you'll always find someone that is anti. I don't have an axe to grind, but would never use again. It was an expensive experience! I also have a very good friend who was a great advocate, who recently has had shocking service and costs from an error they made - she won't be going back. I guess with a business his size, you'll never get all positive feedback. To be fair, my issues were around costs and service rather than fit, however, my friends issue related to fit, and she had to absorb costs to correct.

 

[ecrozier]

Thanks everyone - very mixed response! Wilde2 I've had a few PMs to that effect. Will keep my eyes open for alternative options for a bit longer I think!

 

[Laafet]

I personally would never use him, if you want to know why look at previous Martin Wilkinson posts particularly in the Tack Room but or pm me.

 

[Holding]

As a saddler I have no problem with him, but would never use him again after some absolutely shocking service re: selling a saddle for me and not giving me the money.

 

[fine_and_dandy]

Not a fan of MW.

I used Kate Upton from Browns (based in oxford) and she is fantastic. No nonsense, tells you straight and if a saddle she's brought along doesn't fit, it goes straight back in the van - not like some other saddlers (many) who friends or I have used.

Kate did me a brilliant deal on a brand new Albion k2 and has a wide range of stock - the shop are helpful too and if you tell them what you are after and what you've said about your boy they'll say what stock they've got. Also, Kate doesn't charge the call out fee if you buy a saddle and comes and checks in three months regardless to make sure all is tickety boo.

 

[Alfami]

Like Wilde2 I too wouldn't go there again. I'm not about to get myself banned, but it wasn't a positive experience and it cost me a lot of money. Having said that, I wouldn't mind betting that in the horsey world everyone who acts as a supplier would be great for one person and hopeless for the next.......

Good luck with getting it sorted.