Having a saddle fitted...

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Little_Mare

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I think I'm going to invest in a dressage saddle for Little Mare but have never had a saddle professionally fitted before soooo what should I expect? What is the usual process, any after care, estimated cost? Or do all factors vary from fitter to fitter?
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Also is there a brand of dressage saddle that is known to suit/not suit a wide pony with low withers - personally I'm hoping she doesn't need a super expensive one!!!
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Thanks x
 
I personally wouldn't expect to pay for a saddle to be fitted if I was buying it from the saddler who came out.

However, if you have bought one elsewhere - then yes there will be a charge.

My advice would be to phone your local master saddler - tell them what you're after, and about the horse etc. They will bring a range of saddles out for you to try.
 
My saddler has a good look at the horse, a good feel of the shoulders, back and 1/4s, and sees the horse trotted up if necessary. Then he tries on all the saddles he's brought (after I tell him on the phone what the horse is like so he can get a rough idea of what to bring), adjusts them, fiddles with them, sticks stirrups on them and gets me to walk, trot and canter round the school etc. etc. Once we've found a suitable one he takes a template of the horse with one of those flexicurve thingys (basically a bit of rubber covered wire which he molds to the horse's wither and back shape) and notes it all down in his files for next time. He can then also see how the horse changes over time if he comes out again. He never tells me he needs to come back and check the saddle, it's always up to me to get him out as often as necessary (usually at three to six month intervals for the first year, then yearly or whenever he's at the yard for someone).
He charges about £50 ish (he drives a fairly long way to get to us). Price definately varies a lot though.
I used to own a picnic bench-backed pony (Welsh Cob) and we found the best saddles for her were Wintecs and Albions. I hate Albions though so went with the Wintec! But if I were you I'd call your saddler and tell him about your pony and get him to bring anything that might be suitable within your budget.
 
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