HOW HOW HOW do you buy a saddle that fits?!!?

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Patterdale

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At my wit's end.
I bought a new horse last year. His saddle doesn't fit.

I've rung round all the saddlers in a 4 hour radius. Most don't answer or reply. The two that have agreed to come (for an £80 call out) don't keep secondhand saddles. New ones tend to start at £1600-£2000 which I cannot afford. I've just spoken to one now who made me feel like dirt on his shoe. When I said my budget was around £600 he almost laughed. I said it would buy me another Kent and Masters but I didn't know which one. He said I could drive to his shop, as he wasn't going to bother driving to me for 'just a Kent and Masters,' and that if I did drive to him he wouldn't give me any advice (paid!!) about which saddle might fit if I was then going to buy one secondhand. He was so rude and it's just totally unnecessary.

So what do I do!? I refuse to believe that everyone out there riding around in saddles that fit paid £2k for the privilege. Last time I bought a saddle, getting second hand ones fitted was very much a thing. Am I so out of touch?

What can I do!??
 
Why don't you look on eBay for saddles with adjustable trees and gullets? Saddle Company Saddles and GFS ones have a few types with room for adjustability. Most trees are adjustable to a certain extent but plastic and synthetic are easier than wood from what I've gathered.

Don't be fooled into thinking that everyone is riding around in perfectly fitted saddles either - even ones that have been 'fit' are often not right as saddlers all seem to have different opinions! My friend had her saddle done by a Master Saddler. Two weeks later I had a different Master Saddler out, who took one look at my friend's saddle and said it had far too much flocking in it to sit correctly! I take everything saddlers say with a huge pinch of salt, question everything and do loads of research online and watch video demos on what you should be looking out for etc. Obviously this doesn't make me a professional but I have a good idea as to what I should be checking for both in and out of the saddle.
 
The one I've got now is adjustable - it fits him well as in there's good clearance along his spine, panels sit evenly on both sides, it's very comfy and I love it. BUT it is completely the wrong shape for him - he's got big shoulders and big movement, and a very short back. The saddle is too forward cut and his shoulders push it back until it's nearly on his quarters!

I'm actually getting desperate. The pony doesn't complain because he's quite an obliging soul, but I'm worried some damage will be done soon.

I've currently got a Kent and Masters jump. I've got someone wanting to buy it and I've seen a Kent and Masters compact GP for the same price, but what if I have the same problem??

Am I right that a few years ago, there were lots of saddlers who carried secondhand saddles and would come out with a van full and fit one?!
 
I don't know whereabouts you are in the country but can highly recommend Steph Bloom from AH Saddles.
She is based in Suffolk but they have other fitters around the country.
Yes they only stock new saddles but seem to be more than happy to suggest what to look for secondhand.
Steph also runs the brilliant "used native pony saddles" - they specialize in tricky to fit natives - again not sure what horse you have.
After having Steph out to see what we needed I then managed to buy my AH secondhand off this site.
I had a K&M saddle before as its the one sold by local saddle shop & would never ever have another.
 
I completely hear you. Finding a reputable saddle fitter who doesn't just want to sell you a sparkly new saddle for ££££'s is a mine field. It is so demoralising as an amateur when you want the best for your horse and to try and prevent any future issues.
 
ive just seen from your old post you have a 14h connie big shoulder short back
We have Irish cob - big shoulder, short back - totally unsuited to K&M
17" with gussets too big so have AH 17" upswept panel
 
Patterdale said:
Am I right that a few years ago, there were lots of saddlers who carried secondhand saddles and would come out with a van full and fit one?!
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They still do, but few and far between from experience. They either only sell new, or have their own brand they sell now it seems. I really hate Kent and Masters saddles. A friend has one and it's the most uncomfortable and unsupportive saddle I've ever sat in, and know a few people who feel the same way. For the same price you can get a GFS which I find far far superior - lighter tree and nicer leather for start, and cheaper second hand.
 
bubsqueaks said:
I don't know whereabouts you are in the country but can highly recommend Steph Bloom from AH Saddles.
She is based in Suffolk but they have other fitters around the country.
Yes they only stock new saddles but seem to be more than happy to suggest what to look for secondhand.
Steph also runs the brilliant "used native pony saddles" - they specialize in tricky to fit natives - again not sure what horse you have.
After having Steph out to see what we needed I then managed to buy my AH secondhand off this site.
I had a K&M saddle before as its the one sold by local saddle shop & would never ever have another.
Click to expand...

Steph has messaged me, she’s been very kind and given me some really good advice. Think I may well try and go down the second hand AH route.
 
A few people I’ve spoken to hate the K&M saddles, but I really love mine to ride in. Just doesn’t fit!

He came with a GFS which didn’t fit. Too narrow. I do like them so I bought another, one width size up, which should have fit, but was too wide. So I’m wary of buying yet another.
 
Oh that's great Steph is so helpful - Im still considering if the badly fitting K&M was part of our connie issues so will be sourcing another AH for him in the attempt to bring him back into work - good luck.
 
SpringArising said:
They still do, but few and far between from experience. They either only sell new, or have their own brand they sell now it seems. I really hate Kent and Masters saddles. A friend has one and it's the most uncomfortable and unsupportive saddle I've ever sat in, and know a few people who feel the same way. For the same price you can get a GFS which I find far far superior - lighter tree and nicer leather for start, and cheaper second hand.
Click to expand...

Just to be contrary I had a K&M high wither for my last TB and loved it; my mum's TB was fitted with a new GFS by saddler and I hate it. I don't think the leather is anywhere near the same quality as my K&M was and I'm not convinced on the fit. Horse isn't in work just now so it'll be addressed when required.

Saddle fitters are a nightmare. I've given up with SMS ones in my area as the fits they've done have been horrendous. There is on lady in Scotland who gets amazing reviews but it's as you described trying to get an appointment. I contacted her to get 3 horses checked/new saddles and was told she would be in the area in 3mths and would contact me then. I got a text over 3mths later on a Monday evening saying there would be one space to fit one horse at 11am on Tuesday. What use is that? I work so that is not enough notice by a long stretch and what about the other 2? I mean they are obviously making a living but their customer service is non-existent.

Mum got her TB fitted with a new saddle and the fitter was to come back for 3mth check....didn't return any calls, respond to texts or FB messages. Finally heard back months later and she was there and away again within 15mins, that is not a proper saddle check by any stretch.

OP all I can think of is asking on local FB pages for suggestions of fitters that you might not be aware of and perhaps ask around to see if anyone has similar type horses and if they'd let you try their saddle? Mum's last horse was a short backed Connie x with decent shoulders and the cob K&M fitted him when he was tubby and then he got the Isobel Bates new dressage saddle with the adjustable shims for the panels...so a wintec/bates tree might be an option for yours too.
 
Patterdale said:
He came with a GFS which didn’t fit. Too narrow. I do like them so I bought another, one width size up, which should have fit, but was too wide. So I’m wary of buying yet another.
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Depending on how wide it is you can always put some more flocking in it to lift it up at the front and solve that issue.

I don't think PD is Suffolk way from previous posts.
 
Am sooohhh feeling your pain OP.

Have been well and truly "had" by saddle fitters; one particular set-up really sticks in the craw. As a YO I gave them over £4000-worth of business yet they were always too damn busy to come out for a simple matter like a saddle-fitting, whilst boasting (when they did eventually deign to come) of their "Celebrity Clients". Plus they sold me a saddle that was blatently not Fit for Purpose as it developed a fault after only a very short while. PM me if you want to know who........ OR trawl on here and other sites, it won't be difficult I guarantee.

Like OP I simply don't have a budget to buy new; and anyway, with a youngster there just isn't any point for a good few years, so I ride treeless now.

But for my last old-boy, who I DID have a treed saddle for and who was as wide as he was long, with a flat wither to boot, I did manage to get something suitable for him at a local horsey car-boot. Picked up an old-fashioned Lovatt & Ricketts GP for less than a hundred-quid. It needed cleaning and doing up a bit as it was as stiff as a board, but I'd taken a couple of metal coat-hangers along with me which I'd used for the "two curves" i.e. width and curve of his back - and amazingly, managed to pick up this little saddle! Got it home, and it seemed OK'ish but obviously needed a re-flock and a few tweaks, and managed to get a really decent girl out who took a lot of care getting the right fit for him.

So don't give up OP!! There HAS to be something out there!!
 
My connie was difficult to fit too. I did end up finding a tree'd saddle that seemed to fit him (without stating the name it was a native specific brand) but he never felt 100% happy in it and I wasn't happy with his topline development.

I took a punt on a Solution saddle having never ridden treeless before and it transformed him. His topline is unreal, his flatwork became much more relaxed and his jumping technique improved beyond recognition. Might be worth a try
 
Patterdale said:
The one I've got now is adjustable - it fits him well as in there's good clearance along his spine, panels sit evenly on both sides, it's very comfy and I love it. BUT it is completely the wrong shape for him - he's got big shoulders and big movement, and a very short back. The saddle is too forward cut and his shoulders push it back until it's nearly on his quarters!

I'm actually getting desperate. The pony doesn't complain because he's quite an obliging soul, but I'm worried some damage will be done soon.

I've currently got a Kent and Masters jump. I've got someone wanting to buy it and I've seen a Kent and Masters compact GP for the same price, but what if I have the same problem??

Am I right that a few years ago, there were lots of saddlers who carried secondhand saddles and would come out with a van full and fit one?!
Click to expand...

If it is fully adjustable Ingeborg Taffijn will adjust it on site after a really comprehensive fitting session. She is based in The Netherlands but comes to the UK every couple of months. She will charge a reasonable sum but nowhere near the (possibly wasted) cost of another saddle. You can find her through Facebook of you are on there
 
There are some in the SE area, one that does 2nd hand and another who will fit and advise on saddles you buy. So yes there are but depends on your area I’m afraid. Suspect not enough margin generally to warrant it for many x
 
Patterdale said:
Am I right that a few years ago, there were lots of saddlers who carried secondhand saddles and would come out with a van full and fit one?!
Click to expand...

You must just be unlucky where you live.

I’m in Somerset and my saddler turned up with a van load of 2nd hand saddles. Bought a Barnsby for £550 last year. Call out was £45
 
Well I’ve sold my S Series jump and bought a Kent and Masters S Series Compact GP. If that doesn’t fit I’m going to drive him on a 6 hour round trip to a saddler I’ve spoken to with 200 secondhand saddles, and try and get something like a Jeffries Hawk event or an Ideal or something.
I am NOT spending more than 500. All I want is a GP saddle that I can jump up to about 1.05m in, school in and hack and hunt. That fits! I REFUSE to believe that I can’t get this unless I spend four figures.

No point me buying something older/not adjustable online as I’d still need a saddler to reflock and fit it.

Feel better now I have a plan. And the K&M jump sold within about 3 minutes, the S Series really hold their value so hopefully if the Compact doesn’t fit I’ll be able to get rid of it relatively easily.
 
I’d be interested to know what you think about the K&M compact. I have a K&M flat back on my other horse which I actually quite like, the saddler is coming out next week to fit my new pony, she’s a Welsh d and quite wide with a big shoulder and the saddle she was in slipped forward.
 
Patterdale said:
Well I’ve sold my S Series jump and bought a Kent and Masters S Series Compact GP. If that doesn’t fit I’m going to drive him on a 6 hour round trip to a saddler I’ve spoken to with 200 secondhand saddles, and try and get something like a Jeffries Hawk event or an Ideal or something.
I am NOT spending more than 500. All I want is a GP saddle that I can jump up to about 1.05m in, school in and hack and hunt. That fits! I REFUSE to believe that I can’t get this unless I spend four figures.

No point me buying something older/not adjustable online as I’d still need a saddler to reflock and fit it.

Feel better now I have a plan. And the K&M jump sold within about 3 minutes, the S Series really hold their value so hopefully if the Compact doesn’t fit I’ll be able to get rid of it relatively easily.
Click to expand...

Not wishing to dampen your plan BUT … that's the saddle we had for our Connie & we made mistake of believing because it was adjustable at the front it fitted, however, if you check the finger width of the gullet its quite narrow & almost perches on top of the back - yes they do sell incredibly well because I think a lot of people are also making the mistake of believing they are a fit all by being able to change the width at the front.
good luck though we know first hand its just not easy.
 
We just sold our K&M cob saddle as it no longer fitted our wide with big shoulders short backed Appy. Our master saddler who charges about £50 for a call out came and told us to look out for an Ideal H&C. Took us ages to find one though (especially as we wanted a brown one)
 
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