Made to measure saddles?

[Hormonal Filly]

Has anyone had a made to measure saddle fitted to youngster? Did they ever outgrow it?

Monarch, Wintec, K&M aren’t suitable. I’ve had a saddler out 4 times to try saddles and we’re no better off although she only has those brands to try but said she’s a awkward shape. She’s short in the back and has huge shoulders.

I was going to go with made to measure (start @ £1,500) although concerned it isn’t very adjustable (fixed gullet) and she may change shape in the near future? She’s only just turned 4.

A friend has just recommended a large saddlery (Colne Saddlery) with a huge stock of new and second hand.

I’m torn between a made to measure or trying to find something second hand. I just want something that fits nicely, without spending a fortune. £1,500 is absolute maximum.

 

[ITPersonnage]

Spent a small fortune on a made to measure some years ago, don't do it !! They change shape so quickly. To add insult to injury I had to wait about 2 months for it to be made, I think ATM the wait times for new saddles are long so ask the saddler about this.

I would wait and get a good second hand one that you will be able to sell when she grows again.

 

[ycbm]

a made to measure saddle fitted to youngster? Did they ever outgrow it?

Always. When do they not?

I wouldn't buy new for a youngster never mind made to measure. Having youngsters and spending a fortune changing saddles was a key reason why I end up with WOW.
.

 

[ihatework]

It will most likely be a complete and utter waste of money at this stage

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Spent a small fortune on a made to measure some years ago, don't do it !! They change shape so quickly. To add insult to injury I had to wait about 2 months for it to be made, I think ATM the wait times for new saddles are long so ask the saddler about this.

I would wait and get a good second hand one that you will be able to sell when she grows again.

The saddler I’ve had was almost convinced nothing ‘branded’ would fit. But we only tried Monarch, K&M and Wintec/Bates.

I can travel her to Colne saddlery (who have fab reviews and a huge selection) and about a hour away, but I’m a bit worried they won’t have anything at all suitable.. I guess then I’ll have to go Made to Measure.

 

[SEL]

I've got two gathering dust and they weren't even for babies!!

My 4yo is looking quite scrawny right now but both his parents were proper cobs so I'm fully expecting him to bulk out. He's shot up and got gangly behind in just the last 6 weeks. A brand new saddle wouldn't last long

 

[SEL]

The saddler I’ve had was almost convinced nothing ‘branded’ would fit. But we only tried Monarch, K&M and Wintec/Bates.

I can travel her to Colne saddlery (who have fab reviews and a huge selection) and about a hour away, but I’m a bit worried they won’t have anything at all suitable.. I guess then I’ll have to go Made to Measure.

Have you tried speaking to a saddler who has brands more suitable to that type in stock? Ideal saddles, black country, AH saddles etc?

 

[piebaldproblems]

Maybe a TCS would be worth a try..?

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Have you tried speaking to a saddler who has brands more suitable to that type in stock? Ideal saddles, black country, AH saddles etc?

I haven’t spoken to them yet, but a friend highly speaks of https://www.colnesaddlery.co.uk/ which seem to have a vast selection of new and second hand (Ideal, Black Country etc) so might give them a call tomorrow.

Think it’s worth boxing to them which is a hour each way, rather than £95 visit fee. Wonder if I could send some photos of her shape prior to visiting/appointment.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Big shoulders, short back - that is a recipe for an AH saddle. Second hand page on FB. Andrea is in Weston super mare.
Or try Solutions treeless. Julie Knaggs will come to the southwest.

 

[Baywonder]

@Hormonal Filly - I see from your avatar you are in Devon. If that is still the case, you could give Frank Edwards at Acorn Saddlery in South Molton a call to see if he has anything that may be suitable.

 

[SpeedyPony]

Have a made to measure saddle for the old boy, spoke to that saddler about the youngster and he said he wouldn't recommend getting one made to measure until she's at least 6, as they change shape so quickly when they're young. Will probably have one made for her when she's a more stable shape, but for now I'm looking at second hand/synthetic options because it's likely I'll be chopping and changing every few months and I can't afford new prices doing that!

 

[mariew]

I wasted 2k on made to measure. I suspect it never fitted well and was.hard to sell so I had to sell for around £300 of I remember right. I don't think I'd ever do that again. Babies or adult horses.

 

[planete]

Did your saddler make a template and give you a copy? You could try sending the template to saddleries with a stock of second-hand saddles to ask whether they think they have anything suitable to save yourself wasted journeys.

 

[Red-1]

I know your nightmare. I bought a 4yo in September last year, bought a saddle, thankfully it was secondhand as it only lasted a few months. only lost around £300, plus fitting fees. Then had another, also second hand which lasted until spring. That one is still for sale. Am on yet another secondhand now, which fits and is a Stride Free, which are very adjustable. Even second hand, it was above the budget you have set, although it is beautiful and I hope will adjust with us.

(actually, I simplify as we have so far had 2 jump and 3 dressage LOL, but I am talking about the one we use daily).

I won't have made to measure on principal, as if you don't like it when it arrives, you are stuck with it. I can't be bothered with all the it fits, it doesn't or it is unbalanced, it isn't, etc. I won't buy one unless I can ride in it and both my horse and I approve. My Jay Man horse did (as a 6yo) have 2 made to measure saddles (dressage and jump) but the manufacturer did guarantee that if you don't like it on fitting, you don't own it. The dressage was FAB straight away, the jump needed a different one making.

 

[asmp]

Has anyone had a made to measure saddle fitted to youngster? Did they ever outgrow it?

Monarch, Wintec, K&M aren’t suitable. I’ve had a saddler out 4 times to try saddles and we’re no better off although she only has those brands to try but said she’s a awkward shape. She’s short in the back and has huge shoulders.

I was going to go with made to measure (start @ £1,500) although concerned it isn’t very adjustable (fixed gullet) and she may change shape in the near future? She’s only just turned 4.

A friend has just recommended a large saddlery (Colne Saddlery) with a huge stock of new and second hand.

I’m torn between a made to measure or trying to find something second hand. I just want something that fits nicely, without spending a fortune. £1,500 is absolute maximum.

My saddler (a Master Saddler) would measure horse and tell me what saddle would fit horse. I would then go out and source saddle second hand and she’d come back to fit it. What I’m trying to say is a good saddler should know what shape, size and brand of saddle would fit your horse and recommend it even if nothing they have in stock fits.

 

[sbloom]

A van full of used saddles means nowt if they're all average saddles and you have an unusual hard to fit horse. I would not go m2m as it's highly likely there are used or off the peg models to fit. You've had good brand recommendations, often their local fitters will assess from photos or in the flesh and advise you what to look for, as it's hard for many fitters to carry much used stock. I fit for AH and happy to answer any questions.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Wow, thank you for all the replies very helpful!

My saddler (a Master Saddler) would measure horse and tell me what saddle would fit horse. I would then go out and source saddle second hand and she’d come back to fit it. What I’m trying to say is a good saddler should know what shape, size and brand of saddle would fit your horse and recommend it even if nothing they have in stock fits.

She did this previously and managed to go & source an Ideal (February 2022) which she was lovely enough to let me borrow, it fits ok but has started to slip and isn’t as good a fit now she’s changed shape. Saddler has come back 3 times since, trying to source/try/think of options I could purchase but she’s out of ideas. which is led my to consider M2M, I don’t know where else to look. I could ring that saddlers that stock a vast range of S/H and new and possibly ask to send photos first, rather than travelling a hour there to be told nothing fits.


@planete I don’t have her templates, although I can remember her May 2022 template was about 2” narrower than her original February 2022 one. Massive change. I could ask but she’s very busy and difficult to get hold of, although I don’t know if that’s because she’s now stumped by my mare. She last came 4 weeks ago and was going to come back with some ideas in a couple of weeks. I’ve chased nicely twice but heard nothing back.

@sbloom Thank you, I did have a friend recommend AH saddles and I joined their second hand page.. but I have no idea what length even she would be. It seems it depends on brand. The K&M Flat Back looked good and she could have a 17.5” seat but when I rode, it flapped up and down on her back. Sounding very shallow, I did notice AH saddles are all brown? Just bought new (and nice) black bridle, girth, leathers so wanted to stick with black.

I spoke to Chunky Monkey saddles but they won’t travel this far to fit and wanted to do a virtual fitting which I wasn’t keen on as they wouldn’t be able to see if the back was flapping when she trotted (like all the K&M)

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

AH saddles are not all brown they make black as well its probably thats all you have seen second hand.

I would definitely look into AH they sound like they would work and tbh the few makes you have tried are not the best and I'm not really surprised they don't fit.

I would try some better makes like an Ideal, black country, farrington they tend to suit a wider big shoulders type and in my opinion much better saddles and you will easily sell them on because chances are she will out grow it.

If she is short in the back an upswept panel might be what you need it gives you the room but sits shorter on the back.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I would try some better makes like an Ideal, black country, farrington they tend to suit a wider big shoulders type and in my opinion much better saddles and you will easily sell them on because chances are she will out grow it.

If she is short in the back an upswept panel might be what you need it gives you the room but sits shorter on the back.

I was told the upswept panel would work for her, I know if the seat is 17.5 I believe her back can only take about 16.5 but like you said I need the Rox

I just need to find a saddler that has a range of those saddles.. I kept being pushed to new with the saddle fitter Ive used previously and had no second hand options to try, she didn’t mention any of the brands you have.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

For my youngster the saddler found a lovely old saddle which fitted him perfectly. When he outgrew it (around 7 years old) she recommended I have a made to measure saddle created using a template of the second hand saddle. I did so which cost around £1.7k and she took the old saddle back in part exchange (at the same price I originally bought it for). I still have this made to measure saddle and the pony is now 9.

 

[sbloom]

AH saddles are not all brown they make black as well its probably thats all you have seen second hand.

I would definitely look into AH they sound like they would work and tbh the few makes you have tried are not the best and I'm not really surprised they don't fit.

I would try some better makes like an Ideal, black country, farrington they tend to suit a wider big shoulders type and in my opinion much better saddles and you will easily sell them on because chances are she will out grow it.

If she is short in the back an upswept panel might be what you need it gives you the room but sits shorter on the back.

I was told the upswept panel would work for her, I know if the seat is 17.5 I believe her back can only take about 16.5 but like you said I need the Rox

I just need to find a saddler that has a range of those saddles.. I kept being pushed to new with the saddle fitter Ive used previously and had no second hand options to try, she didn’t mention any of the brands you have.

Beware that not all upswept panels are the same, and they are not wholly interchangeable with a regular gusseted panel. Each tree has the ideal panel depth that it needs to balance it, on the average equine back (I know there's no such thing but bear with me). This gusset also has a length, related to the depth, because of that crescent moon shape. There is only a little leeway on that, so as you shorten a gusset to make it suit a shorter back, you also make it lower, on average. So it fits differently and is more likely to tip back. Then add in that English saddles sit the rider in a mid-rear position (compared to forward balance saddles), and if you have any danger of the saddle tipping back, then add in the rider sitting a little way back, and you've either got an out of balance saddle, too much rider weight at the back, or more usually both. If the cantle extends over the panel you can even get actual leverage pressing down from behind the panel.

Then add in that AH's upswept has no gusset, it's a plain panel, so it's even lower. It's a brilliant panel/tree combo (only available generally on the flatter trees which help stabilise it) but must be fitted carefully, and it's why you see a few of them for sale as many fitters assume they don't work at all, or don't know how to make them work. They work the best on very short croup high shapes, or dropped backs as a rehab saddle. On anything else they can need rear shims. And this is an extreme version of the above paragraph. There just is no such thing as ordering a larger seat size on a smaller panel and it fitting the same, or whatever shorter/upswept version and it working just as well as the too-long saddle.

That aside, talk to your local fitter for the brand(s), as I said above most will advise on what would work for your horse and assist you in your search. Many fitters only know a few brands, just because they're qualified/retailer/local general fitter many either don't know of other brands, or don't know how they fit, or think they don't fit whereas a quick Google will show you that's not the case.

And yes, WH-GP-jump AH saddles are made in black, but only to order due to the cost of holding stock in both colours. Dressage saddles it's the reverse. The brown is very dark and most people wouldn't know that it doesn't match a black bridle.

 

[Hallo2012]

going against the grain-£1500 is not that much for a saddle.

i am just in the process of having one made for my 4yo and had one made for the other pony as a 6yo-both are tricky little natives with the wide spine, roly poly ribs, dippy back and croup high issue going on plus a tall skinny rider.

off the peg was *nearly* right but not perfect on either.

i accept the 4yo may need another one in 2 years but don't want to make do until then.

if i end up spending £4k total on saddles for him over 2/3 years that is still very little compared to what some cost!

 

[sbloom]

Cost is relative for us all, for many leisure riders £1500 is a lot. The new saddles I fit are a chunk more than that. But even if a rider can find that amount of money it could be spent on a top of the range used saddle, and you'd not lose a lot of money when the young horse inevitably changes shape, or you could spend it on a made to measure, no brand saddle (that is statistically no more likely to be successful than an off the peg, anecdotally) that will be worth 1/3 of its value a year later IF you can sell it.

It's also quite different if you have several horses or ponies of vaguely similar shapes, in that you may find a use for the saddle later on, and not have to lose money selling it.

 

[Hallo2012]

Cost is relative for us all, for many leisure riders £1500 is a lot. The new saddles I fit are a chunk more than that. But even if a rider can find that amount of money it could be spent on a top of the range used saddle, and you'd not lose a lot of money when the young horse inevitably changes shape, or you could spend it on a made to measure, no brand saddle (that is statistically no more likely to be successful than an off the peg, anecdotally) that will be worth 1/3 of its value a year later IF you can sell it.

It's also quite different if you have several horses or ponies of vaguely similar shapes, in that you may find a use for the saddle later on, and not have to lose money selling it.

all very true.

tbh i accept any resale value on mine would be low (showing type saddle but in black leather) so i go in to it accepting the money is gone and if they EVER need to be sold, anything at all is a bonus!

also very type dependent-none of the top of the range fancy saddle fit mine, most don't even go small enough. Easier with a generic 17 MW saddle on a TB/irish/WB type.

mine are both branded saddles too, pony specialist brand.

 

[sbloom]

Most of that was to the OP more than you, especially the no brand bit. If your saddles are what I think they are they'll sell fine, they sell all day long in black as well as brown, people half the time don't list the customisations, the buyers don't ask/check...Lord knows what happens with half of them!

 

[MissMay]

I bought made to measure for a 10 year old. A waste of time.
We started focusing more on schooling and jumping as opposed to hunting and her shape changed so the saddle no longer fit.
With a baby I'd be inclined to try wintec or box to a large saddlers and try loads

 

[sbloom]

A further thought, your fitter has a very narrow range of saddles, for a generalist rather than specialist, and they're all plastic tree/adjustable headplate saddles, never my preference but they're certainly not going to fit all horses.

 

[scruffyponies]

Buying a made to measure saddle is something I would only do if I could afford to flush that money away. Even if it fits depreciation losses will be higher than on a branded saddle, and yes, your horse will change shape.
Worst of all, if it doesn't fit, your saddler will tell you it does, and you won't have a leg to stand on, because they're the expert.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

A further thought, your fitter has a very narrow range of saddles, for a generalist rather than specialist, and they're all plastic tree/adjustable headplate saddles, never my preference but they're certainly not going to fit all horses.

It does seem that way.. restricted on the saddles she stocks basically.

Ive just booked a appointment to take my mare up to a recommended fitter/shop that stocks a HUGE range of second hand and new. Lots of makes recommended above. A few weeks away, but she said worse case they won’t charge me anything if they can’t find a saddle to fit her and if they do, you only pay for the saddle if you buy one (no fitting fee)

Will update after, everything crossed!