How much does it cost?

[mumof3]

Following my previous post … I’ve just bought my first horse in 10 years.

just wondering how much it will cost me for a saddle fitting, then the cost of a saddle and bridal?

the lady/dealer I have bought from are lending me a saddle but say I will either need to buy from them or source myself after the 7 day trial… can’t decide what’s best.

many advice would be greatly appreciated … please

 

[mumof3]

**Any not many, advice sorry ?

 

[dixie]

How long is a piece of string - the sky’s the limit !
I would expect to pay between £60 and £100 for a saddle fitter.
You should be able to buy a decent second hand saddle for around £500 depending on horse easy he is to fit.
You could get a new bridle for about £60 such as a Shires Velociti.
it really depends on how much your budget is and how easy he is to fit.

 

[brighteyes]

Depends on whether you are buying new (In which case easily to £1500 plus fitting) or second hand (possibly half to a third of that).

 

[fidleyspromise]

What saddle is it you're borrowing g and what have they quoted you for buying it?

 

[mumof3]

I don’t know until the horse arrives on Thursday x

 

[MuddyMonster]

IME the tack that horses come with rarely fit, so it's likely to better in the long run to source your own.

 

[Vodkagirly]

Remember that you also need girth, leathers, irons, bit, saddle cloth. Possibly martingale.
It all adds up quickly and depends on your preferences.

 

[mumof3]

I

Remember that you also need girth, leathers, irons, bit, saddle cloth. Possibly martingale.
It all adds up quickly and depends on your preferences.

Thank you. I think it may be easier to just buy the saddle and bridal that comes with him. Am I best getting a saddle fitter to check it fits properly? X

 

[mini_b]

Echo that the saddle that normally comes with doesn’t fit...
Made to measure is about £1500+ but you could get a fitter that brings part ex & second hand saddles with them.

Or get a fitter (£50-100 area dependent) find out the size and brand that would suit them best and get them to come back and fit/adjust. You can pick up an ok GP saddle for around £300 if you keep your eye out. Just be sure the tree not broken etc.

You also need to make sure that the saddle fits you. I rode for years in a saddle way too big for me (but it fitted my horse) the difference to my riding when I rode in a smaller (fitted!) saddle was astonishing.
If it’s too big you will feel “swimmy” and insecure, it will often pitch you forward as well.
too small; your knees will hang over the front and possibly your bum right up the back of the cantle.

I’m rubbish at knowing if a saddle fits PROPERLY. I can tell you if it looks ok, but ok isnt good enough and for that reason I wouldn’t buy what came with. It’s an initial outlay but cheaper in long run than dealing with a sore back/bucking horse.

you can pick up shires bridles for around £50. They are ok, leather not amazing but are ok if you keep them clean and moisturised.

or you could find out what size you need and look for a better quality English leather one second hand.

in all honesty, buy the best tack you can afford. Both from a safety perspective and comfort perspective.
hours in the saddle can be spoilt by a saddle you hate, stirrup irons that make your ankles ache, a saddle pad that keeps escaping out of the back of your saddle.

The stuff you buy that is comfortable for you and that your horse goes well in is 100% worth it.

Coming from the woman who lives off beans on toast and packet noodles ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Ask the seller the make and size of the saddle.
You don't want to get stuffed for say £500+ for an 8 yr old synthetic saddle, when perhaps you tried the horse in a decent make of leather saddle.

Do your research diligently.

 

[Surbie]

Fitters seem to range £60-100. Personally I would contact one with lots of secondhand saddles. And def make sure it fits you as well as the horse. I had zero clue about that and now have a useless dressage saddle hanging about that was made for someone about 5'4. I am 5'9 with a 32.5"in leg. I cannot ride in it.

 

[Coblover63]

I think it may be easier to just buy the saddle and bridal that comes with him. Am I best getting a saddle fitter to check it fits properly? X

Definitely! And preferably before you pay for it!! You mentioned the horse is coming from a dealer, ask whether the tack they're providing came with the horse when they got it or whether they have found something that looks like it fits. Also bear in mind that if the dealer hasn't had the saddle correctly fitted, it may be uncomfortable for your new horse which may cause initial problems on top of settling in.

 

[AFB]

As others have said - how long is a piece of string. The key thing is finding a good saddle fitter that you trust - which is probably the biggest hurdle IME.

Ask for recommendations, get a budget together and work to that. You can kit yourself out with old second hand for a couple of hundred if needs be (and you have an easy horse to fit) - or you can do luxury European for £5k+ if you've got it to spend...

Also remember to factor in the extras - bit, reins, martingale if needed, stirrups & leathers, girth, saddlepad etc.

 

[Equi]

I’ve never known a saddle that comes with the horse to fit properly but it’s worth a check. I would be looking to have at least £1000 ready to spend.

 

[Melody Grey]

Can you get a fitter to come and have a look during the 7 day trial period, that way you can choose to buy or return?

ETA...or see if the fitter would take it in p/x if it doesn’t fit but is decent and you agree a sensible price form the dealer? Might help you on your way to something more suitable?

 

[Lipglosspukka]

It doesn't have to be crazy expensive.

There are synthetic saddles on the market that retail at less than £200 (shires etc, not knock off Indian imports.) What matters is that it fits your horse and that you are comfortable, so a good saddle fitter is what's most important.

 

[Wishfilly]

It may help to mention where you are in the country!

I'm in west cornwall, and getting a saddle fitted has been an absolute nightmare. I think I now have a solution, but honestly dreading having to ever go through the process again.

You may be waiting a month or two for a saddler to come out, and then longer to find a saddle, so if you can use tack that has come with the horse, I would do that initially.

Personally, if they are not massively overcharging you, I would buy theirs- you can always sell the saddle on if it turns out to be a rubbish fit.

 

[southerncomfort]

I recently paid £60 for a saddle fitter appointment and subsequently bought a nice leather second hand saddle for £395 on her recommendation.