Has anyone challenged a Saddle Fitter through the Soc Master Saddlers?

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Roxi

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I bought a new saddle from a Master Saddler who came out to fit my horse. Three months later the saddle was down on the horse's withers and the same fitter came out and told me I needed a new saddle as my horse had changed shape so much that the first one no longer fitted.

I do not agree that my horse has changed shape.

Has anybody challenged a registered saddle fitter through the Society of Master Saddlers and if so, what is the procedure and were you successful?
 
PM'D you
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Ooh interesting problem! Surely if the saddle was new the saddler should have accounted for the fact the flocking would settle in? Please let us know how it goes!
 
Did the saddler make a set of templates, one set for you and one set for them, when measuring up and fitting the new saddle?
It's a good idea to do this so if any problems like this arise further down the line then the owner and saddler can get together and look at the templates before the arguments start, templates can't lie and it's a simple process of seeing IF the horse has changed shape as claimed. It would the most constructive way forward in this instance and anyone else reading this who is having a new saddle fitted for them I suggest you ask the Saddler to make a set of templates for you, dated and marked near side and off side as well as any notes relating to the fitting of the saddle, ask for a copy of those too. Any saddler will be able to make a template, if they can't then swop saddlers!
Oz
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If it was a case of the flocking had settled then adding more flocking would rectify the problem. If the saddle tree and/or panel type were wrong in the first place then re-flocking will not make it fit. Horses can change shape in a few weeks but you know your horse and if you think the saddle never fitted in the first place then you are quite right to take it further.
IMO if you believe the horse has not changed shape then you should first tell the saddler. If you dont get anywhere then yes, go to the SMS. Unfortunately my experience of the SMS is that they look after their own. Unless you have evidence to support your claim it will be your word against the saddlers.

This wouldnt put me off complaining though. You might not get anywhere but thats not the point. If the saddle was poorly fitted then they need to know. The qualification is actually only a week of training, with an exam. They are supposed to do 3 years 'practise' first before taking the qualification. This always makes me laugh as the SMS also insist you shouldnt use an unqualified person, yet then expect 3 years practise before qualifying. However over the years i have experienced more problems with 'qualified' fitters than independant ones. Saddle fitting isnt THAT hard, yes, it takes practise but unfortunately so many fitters care more about making money than they do about horse welfare and customer satisfaction.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If it was a case of the flocking had settled then adding more flocking would rectify the problem. If the saddle tree and/or panel type were wrong in the first place then re-flocking will not make it fit. Horses can change shape in a few weeks but you know your horse and if you think the saddle never fitted in the first place then you are quite right to take it further.
IMO if you believe the horse has not changed shape then you should first tell the saddler. If you dont get anywhere then yes, go to the SMS. Unfortunately my experience of the SMS is that they look after their own. Unless you have evidence to support your claim it will be your word against the saddlers.

This wouldnt put me off complaining though. You might not get anywhere but thats not the point. If the saddle was poorly fitted then they need to know. The qualification is actually only a week of training, with an exam. They are supposed to do 3 years 'practise' first before taking the qualification. This always makes me laugh as the SMS also insist you shouldnt use an unqualified person, yet then expect 3 years practise before qualifying. However over the years i have experienced more problems with 'qualified' fitters than independant ones. Saddle fitting isnt THAT hard, yes, it takes practise but unfortunately so many fitters care more about making money than they do about horse welfare and customer satisfaction.

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Couldn't agree more!!!!!!
 
Hear hear....its a great shame that more people arent aware of how little actual training goes into getting these 'qualifications' (I use the term extremely loosely).
 
Not only that but how many people think a person is a qualified " master saddler" just because they have a shop and are classed as an SMS approved retailer!

Very confusing and shocking.
 
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