Antw23uk
Well-Known Member
I am just about to go down the M2M route with my horse (he is 14) but this is filling me with dread now! 
Made to measure saddles?
- Thread starter Hormonal Filly
- Start date
Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
I am just about to go down the M2M route with my horse (he is 14) but this is filling me with dread now!
I’ve cancelled my app with the M2M. I did notice the M2M I was going with, second hand versions of their saddles are selling for pennys online.. didn’t feel me with much hope if I ever wanted to resell!
sbloom
Well-Known Member
I am just about to go down the M2M route with my horse (he is 14) but this is filling me with dread now!
Very different scenario. However, if you can be fitted off the peg with a ridden trial it's always the best option (I sell saddles that are in this category, and M2M). There are brands for tricky to fit horses and ponies and many are off the peg. If going M2M be really sure you know what your rights are, you should have written Ts and Cs from any saddle fitter you deal with and whatever saddle you buy, or fitting service you use, and be very cautious having a no brand one, or a rebranded one, for instance rebranded Ideals are always worth less, some only a little, others are worth a LOT less.
Antw23uk
Well-Known Member
Thank you, i think im going to knock it on the head and steer clear
i might just give up on the idea of riding, its annoying me it seems a never ending battle to get a saddle that fits without remortgaging!
sbloom
Well-Known Member
Thank you, i think im going to knock it on the head and steer clear
I do feel for you but it was ever thus.
Saddles are a labour intensive product, that labour has had its costs go up a ton, both energy bills at home and at work, as well as ALL materials. Sometimes supplier prices are revised 3-4 times a year, it's hard to keep up! Nothing for horses is cheap and to fit horse and rider well there have to be thousands of permutations and combinations out there, which means the used market for each one is limited, and with a consumer that can't know which one to buy without professional help in most instances....it's never going to be cheap. In some ways it's better with the internet as used saddles (until Brexit and lockdown etc) have come down in price, but it does mean it's harder to by them from a fitter as we couldn't make a living in many instances doing second hand saddles.
You should be able to find a saddle that fits, for now, but at what price is always open ended, and horses do, and will change shape. If we learn more about how to get them into a really correct shape to begin with, and how to keep them here, the market would be transformed and us fitters wouldn't get half the trashing we do.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
Thank you, i think im going to knock it on the head and steer clear
Don't give up there must be something out there that would work what problems are you having?
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
Edited to say - I'd avoid Colne Saddlery if I were you...
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Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
What makes you say that? To be honest I’ve read bad things about every saddler or saddlery, the majority of comments on Colne saddlery sounded good so far.
sbloom
Well-Known Member
EVERY saddle fitter has detractors, in fact someone new to the industry couldn't believe how everyone has an opinion on fitters, whereas with other trainers etc they're much more open minded and factual about things, acknowledging what they're good at and when they might help customers. No such generosity for saddle fitters.
vmac66
Well-Known Member
My mare sounds like your filly, short backed with huge shoulders. She's a nightmare to fit. I've got a Farrington Burford vsd for her with a 16.5 seat.
BSL2
Well-Known Member
Had my semi flex saddle made to measure for my Arab. 5 years old at the time. Now 17. Saddle checked by master saddler approx every 6 months. Still fits and rides like dream. Adjustments made as necessary. Was expensive, but worth it. And chartered physio who comes regularly agrees?