Just had saddler out but back of saddle doesn't meet the horse?

JackDaniels1

JackDaniels1

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I'm not v happy, just had saddler out who has fitted me a saddle but I've only just noticed that the back on the saddle doesn't sit on the horse, there is a small gap. Will ring up tomorrow but does this mean it's too narrow on the withers hence not sitting right?
 
Does it lift at the back when you girth it up? Does it lift at the back in rising trot? If it does both you have a pivot point in the middle of the saddle - this can be too curvy a tree, too wide at the front or not enough flocking, or can be to do with the detail of the tree and flocking in the middle (too upright bars, too much flocking at the bars) so I would say you need to get the fitter back out.
 
sbloom said:
Does it lift at the back when you girth it up? Does it lift at the back in rising trot? If it does both you have a pivot point in the middle of the saddle - this can be too curvy a tree, too wide at the front or not enough flocking, or can be to do with the detail of the tree and flocking in the middle (too upright bars, too much flocking at the bars) so I would say you need to get the fitter back out.
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It lifts when you just put it on without the girth, same when girth is done up.
 
Did the fitter say the saddle "fitted" OK??? Because I would suggest that it patently doesn't if you can see air and/or feel a gap between the panels of the saddle and the horse's back. If you ride on this, you will cause pressure points where the saddle actually touches, which will not only give your horse a sore back but also give rise to behavioural issues as well.

I think you need another opinion............ deffo.
 
If it lifts then it doesn't fit.
I'd be looking for a saddler who understood how to fit and why it is important. I would not consult the first one again - they either have no idea or they don't care.
 
How disappointing. I would agree with others, if it does not touch nicely and evenly down the panels then it does not fit. It can hardly "fit" if it does not "touch".

I would call them and discuss, but be prepared to walk away, as I would not be happy if a saddler had left me with such an obvious problem.

It is not that unusual, sadly, and from observation, but not right.
 
Just sat on its back every saddle will sit differently, some are designed to curve up at the back. If it lifts up more on girthing or pressing on the pommel (the test of lifting the back of the saddle by hand when girthed tells you nothing, imagine how much less you'd be able to lift it if it was girthed on a rear-attached balance strap), and certainly if it lifts in rising trot, then it definitely needs at least an adjustment. Even softer, damaged horses shouldn't have MUCH lift at the back, as much as possible it should be corrected with flocking and/or shims etc.

As it is a new purchase you have a legal 7 day trial but must let them know in that time that it does not fit. If within that time you can simply send it back for a refund, if further down the line then they have every right to try and put it right. Did they give you terms and conditions explaining your rights? If they didn't then I believe you have an even stronger position, as EU law came in last year meaning you have to have your rights given to you in writing, and I know many saddle fitters aren't doing that.

Just keep a record of everything and try and put everything in writing. It is hard to prove retrospectively that a saddle never fitted so act quickly.
 
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