New Boy and saddle...

[sarahmac77]

Hi all - I finally found a horse (after viewing a horse that bolted and threw me, and two failed vettings.... pfffft!) and I have a query. He came with no saddle, and I couldn't get a saddler appointment until Jan, and in the meantime I'm going to need to hire a saddle.
My query is - how do so many people buy saddles online? I've tried three saddles on him and they didn't really fit, and if I had just bought one secondhand it may also not fit - yet lots of people do this (seemingly, if FB marketplace.preloved is anything to go by). Are they buying just hoping for the best, or that they will MAKE them fit somehow? It's a bit confusing. As it's quite pricey to rent i thought I could buy cheap and then resell when saddle comes (or have a back up saddle!) but, it seems so unlikely that one i buy online would fit.

For reference here is my new guy. He's very sweet...

 

[Jeni the dragon]

He is lovely! Think you'll definitely have to tell us more about him though!
Saddles wise I can't help, sorry. Though I would probably try as many as you can get your hands on, from friends or others at the yard, to give you an idea what to look for.

 

[Littlewills]

I know what saddles suit the type of horses I have and what tree etc I need. So I look for those makes and models specifically. I also only buy things that I know will be easy to sell on.

 

[Jellymoon]

I think sometimes people may have a saddle fitting, find something that works, and then look for it second hand online. Which must really p saddle fitters off!!
I think if you know what size he is, then you can have a go, and adjustments can be made with shims. So if it’s a touch too wide, front shims etc. But you kind of need to know what you are doing. Also, it’s not just about width, there’s a whole world of different tree and panel shapes.
Maybe something adjustable might work temporarily until your fitting? And then sell it on again if you don’t need it.
Could you find out what he wore before? Was it a dealer or private? If private they could tell you what they used on him, might be a start.

 

[sarahmac77]

I think sometimes people may have a saddle fitting, find something that works, and then look for it second hand online. Which must really p saddle fitters off!!
I think if you know what size he is, then you can have a go, and adjustments can be made with shims. So if it’s a touch too wide, front shims etc. But you kind of need to know what you are doing. Also, it’s not just about width, there’s a whole world of different tree and panel shapes.
Maybe something adjustable might work temporarily until your fitting? And then sell it on again if you don’t need it.
Could you find out what he wore before? Was it a dealer or private? If private they could tell you what they used on him, might be a start.

Thanks, this is helpful. I did ask but they've gone a bit quiet and I am concerned i am hassling them! (SO MANY QUESTIONS!)... maybe oI will get an adjustable for a short while. Gah - I just want to get on and ride him!

 

[Melody Grey]

I use adjustable synthetic saddles as a stop-gap until fitting can happen. I would only be using it to keep the horse ticking over though, not doing lots of schooling/jumping /fast work. I have shims, pads and a variety of girths to make as good as poss though and know where to look and file for an educated guess on fit....my saddler has never been alarmed (yet!)

 

[TotalMadgeness]

I use adjustable synthetic saddles as a stop-gap until fitting can happen. I would only be using it to keep the horse ticking over though, not doing lots of schooling/jumping /fast work. I have shims, pads and a variety of girths to make as good as poss though and know where to look and file for an educated guess on fit....my saddler has never been alarmed (yet!)

This is what I do too - but only as a temporary stop gap.

 

[poiuytrewq]

This is what I do too - but only as a temporary stop gap.

I bought a wintec, a pile of gullet bars and a good multi riser pad.

 

[Andrew657]

Curious - didn't know you could rent saddles - and how they're more likely to fit than what you buy ?

The other thing is talking to my saddler - she says there are major delays on new saddles that she's been ordering for clients.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I only buy online when I know it's potentially going to fit but I know my horses and what works with them, in your situation I would get a good fitter with a selection and buy from them initially, then once you get going learn what you want and like from a saddle and learn what will work for him you can go looking for something better or stick with what you have.

I have bought brand new from a saddle maker that works a lot with remedial fitting which is what my horse needed at the time, we still use that saddle 8 years on and it changed him beyond belief for the better, so if you have the budget and want new you could get a few fitters down for brands that you like and go from there.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Treeless

 

[sportsmansB]

It can be hard to get appointments for saddle fitters to come out
But if you have a tack shop nearby with an on site fitter and a selection of second hand saddles you might get in quicker by bringing him to them?

Otherwise if you can try on friends / other liveries saddles and see what works and what doesn't, it is possible with the help of a knowledgeable friend or instructor to buy something second hand to last, with pads, until you get a proper fitting booked in. You can get an idea of what is reasonable value and what are desirable makes from the second hand saddle shop websites and ebay. A used Albion or Barnsby is my go-to stop gap normally, as they are fairly easy to sell on or trade in.
Unless the company which hires them fits them too, I don't really see how thats much difference to buying online?

 

[HeyMich]

I personally wouldn't risk buying a cheap saddle online if you don't know what types/makes/models will suit the new horse. The risks of hurting their back and then causing behavioural issues is just too great in my mind. Saddles are expensive and can have long lasting effects if wrong - thet's why saddlers and saddle fitters train for years! Why don't you get a bareback pad (with stirrups and girth!) for the meantime, or just concentrate on some groundwork?

 

[Auslander]

Curious - didn't know you could rent saddles - and how they're more likely to fit than what you buy ?

One of my liveries has a successful saddle rental business - she makes it very clear to potential renters that it is important that they get a fitter out to make sure the saddle fits correctly, and if it doesn't, she will work with them to find a saddle that does fit. It avoids people buying saddle after saddle that doesn't fit, and then having to sell them on. I've rented two now, and have been able to have the (expensive) saddle I wanted, without having to pay thousands for it, followed by a brand new Wintec Isabell dressage, which suits the old man better in his twilght years! I'm never buying again!

 

[Kaylum]

Choose your saddle fitter carefully. My friend had three out. In the end she had a custom one made it didnt fit from day one. Luckily she got her money back after a physio showing the so called expert saddle fitter that it didnt fit as she was having none of it. She now has a saddle that fits and a trusted saddle fitter who is also a saddler. That's 4 different saddle fitters. Make sure they are insured and that you know their terms and conditions.

 

[sarahmac77]

I only buy online when I know it's potentially going to fit but I know my horses and what works with them, in your situation I would get a good fitter with a selection and buy from them initially, then once you get going learn what you want and like from a saddle and learn what will work for him you can go looking for something better or stick with what you have.

I have bought brand new from a saddle maker that works a lot with remedial fitting which is what my horse needed at the time, we still use that saddle 8 years on and it changed him beyond belief for the better, so if you have the budget and want new you could get a few fitters down for brands that you like and go from there.

Quite, that's the plan - but the problem is that the fitter (ANY fitters in Kent) isn't free for a month! So the issue/question is what to do until then.
It's a quandry.