Lavinia Mitchell saddle recommendations?

[Holly Hocks]

I have been recommended a Lavinia Mitchell saddle for my horse as it's possible that the one she has currently is a bit narrow. She also has muscle wastage on one shoulder. I believe LM also does Saddle Company saddles. Does anyone have any experience of the LM saddles who can either recommend them or advise against? Thanks

 

[Sam_J]

I had Lavinia out when I couldn't find a saddle wide enough to fit my daughter's pony. Poor pony kept bucking in canter and obviously wasn't comfortable. I bought a second hand Saddle Co saddle from Lavinia and the pony goes really well in it. Lavinia was really helpful and really seemed to want to find the best thing for the pony. When we have the next pony, I'll be going to Lavinia for the saddle.

 

[Housemouse]

Lavinia really knows her stuff. I have a LM saddle and am very pleased with it. My horse is a much happier horse and I am comfortable. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

You pay for a consultation. She will not sell you a saddle if you do not need one. It will be the best thing you do for your horse.

 

[Bikerchickone]

I have an LM saddle for my cob. It was fitted by one of her fitters rather than Lavinia herself but the fitter I had was fantastic. The difference in my cob in just ten minutes in one of her saddles was amazing. In terms of my own comfort I'd have to say I'm still adjusting to it, having had a remarkably comfortable Albion previously, but my horse is definitely much happier with the LM saddle than he was with the Albion.

I really like the fact that using the shims means you can make minor adjustments to the fit as you need to rather than having to make do until a saddler can come out.

Julie, my fitter was fantastic about explaining how the shims work and how the saddle should sit so I'm more than happy to use them as Julie recommended.

A definite thumbs up for me and if you need the number for Julie who is the fitter for Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire let me know and I'll pass it on.

 

[Oberon]

Lavinia used to work with Balance saddles I believe, not Saddle Co....but I may be wrong.

A livery's horse was rehabed by barefoot from navicular and muscled up so much that he then had saddle fitting issues that grumbled on and threatened his new found soundness .

Due to the previous costs of all the conventional treatments and remedial shoeing before going barefoot and the owner's hubby being made redundant....they had no money for a new saddle.

But in desperation (after trying new saddles/gullets/pads via a local saddle fitter ) they managed to secure Lavinia to come to the yard when she was in the North (ssoooooo gutted I was working and missed it ).

They got a fabulous saddle for a very small price - and the horse has finally turned into the dressage diva he was always meant to be .

She also came for a follow up appointment a month later (which I also missed ) and everyone else on the yard was transfixed by her.

If I did treed saddles - I'd go for one of hers