Made to Measure Saddle - doesn't fit

Misog2000

Misog2000

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I had an event saddle made for my girl which was delivered about October time, when the saddle was delivered I rode her round in it and could immediately see that it was far too low at the front when I was on it (I'm not little, but not massive and the guy making the saddle met me and knew it was for me) and so refused to accept it.

It was taken back and additional flocking was added to raise the front, when it was brought back it was much better so I took it and paid the balance. I then used the saddle for approximately 25 hours before noticing that all the colour had come off the flaps under the stirrups and the leather underneath hadn't been dyed, so there we unsightly light brown marks on my Havana saddle. Again the saddler came back, took the saddle away and put new flaps on it, the new ones are a different colour and quality of leather so there must have been an issue with the original batch.

I rode in the saddle for a few more weeks and then decided it was time to get it reflocked as it was getting low on her withers again (I expected this with a new saddle, the flocking settled down) and had my local saddler out to flock the saddle (the company I bought it from have to take it away to flock it and I didn't want to be without it for more time having only just got it back). She has put as much flocking in the front as she can without making it go hard, and it is still sitting down to the point that I can only get 1 finger under it when I'm mounted - this is my jumping saddle, I'm pretty sure it would make contact with her spine as she rounded over a fence.

I have emailed the company that made it and am waiting for a response, but would appreciate info on any similar experiences, or ideas as to where i stand. i am at the point now where i would really just like my money back and for them to take away the saddle, but have a feeling that is not going to be easy to achieve.

Also it is my opinion that the saddle is simply too wide, and that is why it is sitting down too low on her, but any other ideas most welcome.

Rossi's ice cream to those who have read the epic post above.......it got a bit long sorry
 
No - not H, and to be fair to them they haven't responded to me yet following my email. I'm just trying to get prepared in case I need to fight them on it. It has just been an ongoing saga, I was so pleased to be able to finally buy my horse a 'proper' saddle after years of synthetics or second hand ones and its turned into a nightmare :-(
 
I can only tell you that any thing you buy has to be fit for purpose ,if the company refuse a refund tell them that you are going to speak with Trading Standards ,as they have failed to provide what you have paid for ,I hope this helps .
 
Has your horse changed in condition much since the original fitting - have you been doing much more work? Sorry, that won't help you much in your potential discussions but may explain why it is wider on your horse now.
 
Thanks Shergar, I am hoping it won't come to that, but that's the route I was thinking of going down if it does.

OrchardBeck - if anything she has put on weight and built a bit more top line due to the grass coming in and her being in a bit more work. I don't have a copy of the original template but I imagine she will be a very similar shape if not slightly wider.

Thanks everyone. X
 
My black country saddle became too wide when my Conley lost weight & got really fit - saddler sent it to them to have the tree narrowed by a size. If you get no joy with maker, then can you find someone that can do the same. Apparently trees can be tweaked a couple of times in their life.
 
If anyone else is in this situation it is best to stick with the company who fitted it, unless you need a report ie second opinion on the saddle. Any work done by someone else clouds the issue.

Unfortunately custom saddles are very very difficult to return - if you talk to Trading Standards ie the CAB they will give you more guidance of course, but you are certainly not covered by the distance trading regulations and will have to prove that the saddle was never suitable which is hard to do without tracings, written reports etc, especially as you have had the saddle so long, so very hard to prove it didn't fit originally.

Yes, anything built on a traditional wooden spring tree can be adjusted a handful of times but not all companies will do it. It does sound like the tree is either too wide or too flat from front to back.

I always recommend buying from stock - you could have sent that saddle back in the first week no questions asked. With custom saddles you are beholden to their customer service and whether they will play ball. And imagine how easy it makes life to work with a fitter who will then also change the tree width on site :).

Good luck, hope they will play ball.
 
Thanks sbloom, I am kicking myself for not having them back to take it away and flock it, but having been without it for the best part of 4 months out of the 6 I had owned it I was loathe to send it away yet again, a lesson learned, but hopefully not one that is going to cost me a fortune :-(

The most annoying thing is she is not difficult to fit and I had every intention of buying from stock but allowed myself to be convinced that I would be better having one made with different flaps and knee blocks as I am tall on her (5'11" on a 15.2).

I will let you all know how I get on, no response to my email as yet so it looks like they a hoping I will go away if they ignore me.
 
sbloom, if I PM you the make of saddle, would you know if it is possible for it to be made narrower? Despite all the dramas with it, it is extremely comfortable to ride in and if it could be made to fit her then I would prefer that to having to start over. Thanks
 
I might be able to help, why not post on here then others will know? I'll be honest, and if I don't know, you'll need to contact the company, perhaps anonymously?
 
I had a saddle ,made to measure which advertises all the time about having, a made to measure saddle that fits your horse. It didn't fit when it arrived , they took it away to re flock, it was better but in the end it just didn't fit, kept slipping back and was actually half an inch bigger than it was meant to be! The saddler I bought it from told me to sell it on eBay ! I cut my losses and sold it privately, after telling the master of saddlers association !
 
I had a saddle made to measure in January and have had to have several alterations already, but my saddler had discussed this with me at the outset (he was obese and is only 4 so lots of changes expected). I understand how frustrating it is not having your saddle, but I would definitely chase the original company and explain your concerns re the width.
 
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