If I wanted to buy a new saddle...

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Would I be able to deal directly with the saddle makers or do I have to deal with an agent?

Does it make a difference who you buy from?

I want to try quite a few specialist saddles in an unusual size (16.5 inch W, or maybe a width fitting either side depending on make) and I know no saddlers is actually going to have them in stock. I also don't want pressuring into buying the best of what they do have, or the one model that they order in for me, so I basically want to know if the saddle making companies themselves have demo saddles in all sizes that you can get hold of to try without committing to buying them. Plus I don't really want to pay a load of saddlers for their time when I can usually tell for myself when a saddle doesn't fit.

I'm not buying a new saddle yet, but I will at some point when I'm sure exactly what i want.
 
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I know ideal make saddles to order so they may be worth a call as they probably get saddles returned etc.

I also needed a 16.5 wide. I dealt through my local saddlers who were brilliant. They even allowed me to return a saddle weeks after purchase as it was really not working for me. We then tried about 15 saddles to work out which elements we liked and they ordered me in an Equipe, which I love :)

A decent saddler should be able to help you find what you're after - don't be afraid to say its not what you want :)
 
Thanks.

I've actually got an Ideal now but the horse's back profile has changed (grown withers) since I bought it so it doesn't quite suit anymore. I don't really want anything made specifically for my horse, I'd rather find the saddle that already exists that suits him if possible.

If I was going to have a saddle made, Ideal would be one of my first choices though, the quality for the price of the saddles is impressive.
 
If you are pretty good about telling what fits why not look to buy second hand on Ebay, Preloved etc. Then juts sell on what doesn't fit. Particularly if you buy via auction on Ebay you can almost always seel for what you paid for it. You can always then get a saddler to check the bet one/a short list if you find more than one that you think suits.
A word of caution though. Ask people to send you photos of tape measure held up to show where they have taken their measurements from. It seems people mesure their saddles in all kinds of funny ways!
 
I had the Barnsby fitter out and they didn't have one particular type of saddle in the right size for me to try and were happy to make me one to try (!). The only reason I didn't was I would have to wait for them to make it and decided to go with the one I had tried because once I'd committed they could leave me with a loan saddle to bridge the gap between me ordering and it being ready. So if you weren't in a rush I expect they would do something for you.

It wasn't a very normal size either as it was a 17.5 inch pony club saddle.
 
Thank you. :)

Yep, i should keep a closer eye on ebay. There aren't very many that come up in 16.5' wide though, let alone in endurance models, although that's not essential. I don't know how easily i would get my money back because I don't know if many people would actually be looking for the same thing. I've finally managed to reduce my saddle collection down from eight to four and I've only got one riding horse! :D I've already bought one more to try which horse says isn't for him.

Maybe if I'm patient something good will pop up on ebay or preloved.

ETA - Good to know Barnsby will deal with you directly.
 
I have an almost impossible to fit tb, have tried numerous different saddles, most recent was from my local saddlers, brand new but with tiny scratch on cantle (so £400 off :D ) she has so far in 3 weeks been out to flock & adjust 3 times for me & has said don't pay for it until we are both happy it suits him 100%. Thats what I call service (Garretts of Draycott!!!).....so definately consider a reliable saddlers, they will do all they can for you to find the right saddle :)
 
I'd try matty marlow at heritage saddlery... He does completely bespoke and made to measure saddles at very reasonable prices, often sells ex-demos for cheaper too :) he has an eBay shop and a website
 
And there's another saddle fit model - fitters who work directly for the company who makes the saddles, as I do. My most common model that I fit is a 161/2 GP and my most common width fitting is XW! We will also send out saddles mail order, working out the best models from talking to you and seeing photos - you can then judge fit for yourself.
 
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