have I been ripped off with new saddle?

[magpiesyard]

Hi Guys,
Have just had my new saddle delivered (finally) took about 7 weeks as had to be specially made because my boy is so wide! I don't know the first thing about saddles as i've had my other horse in the same one for donkeys years and shes now retired. Saddler came out measured him up and said the only style that was wide enough for him was a KES. The saddle looked nice so I agreed for him to go ahead. What type of quality is KES? It is a nice saddle, but some of the stitching looks a bit dodgy at the back which i'm concerned about, also only 2 girth straps,one at an angle - he said it is better for wider ponies to have that to balance the saddle and prevent slipping - is this the norm? also peed off i didn't notice it didn't have a stirrup strap holder thingy (oh you know what i mean!!) I'm sure the one he showed me that day did. I was told the saddle would be ready in 3 weeks, it took 7. Fits him perfectly and doesn't move at all,also looks very nice on him. Cost £600. Black leather.

What do you all think?

PS must just tell you all backed him 10days ago and he is being such a star, walk halt trot transitions excellent,round cones,over poles,rein back - i'm soooo pleased with him!

 

[dianchi]

Point straps are common on most wide saddles. Ive never heard of KES tho!
As for the strirrup holder thingy you can have a saddle sew this on tho i would be a bit miffed as its brand new!

 

[exracemad]

my friend has a kes... really nice saddle

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

From looking on the internet, KES appear to be made in Walsall, West Midlands, which is a sadleyr town. There are several KES Saddles for sale second hand & they range from £350 to £550 so it appears that you have paid the correct price.

 

[malibu211211]

I loved D's Kes saddle, really nice saddles

 

[aimeerose]

I have a fab KES saddle - really love it, and the 2 point girthing is reasonably common for wide ponies

generally kes dont have stirrup leather holders

 

[carthorse]

I bet that has made you feel better about your purchase, now go and enjoy it!

 

[mrhsaddler]

That is about the right price for a KES (I think it stands for Kensington Equestrian Supplies) saddle. Last year before I went self employed I was selling them for £595.

 

[hotellie]

£600 isnt expensive for a NEW saddle!

 

[merlinsquest]

Specially not a made to measure NEW saddle!!

 

[Voyager]

I had a KES and it was really comfy , the only problem we had was white hairs grew either side of the wither, so sought the advice of a master saddler who said that they are very nice saddles , the only down side was that they had plastic trees.( At least the one that I owned did)His opinion was that the plastic tree has a tendency to act like a clothes peg and spread open a little and then close again when you are trotting.

 

[magpiesyard]

Thanks guys, thats put my mind at rest! xx