New Saddle Order

[Mockingbird]

Is anyone else finding issues with waiting for a new saddle being ordered? My friend and I have both ordered saddles from the same fitted different brands of saddle both told 10 weeks. She’s had no update unless she contacts the saddle fitter and I have had updates but not many. My saddles gone from 10 weeks with up to 20 weeks despite other saddles from the same company having a delivery date. Totally frustrated at the lack of communication from the saddle company. Can’t ride as I have no saddle and no idea if the saddle will fit the horse as he’s got a huge grass belly on him despite being on a starvation paddock ? no idea what to do should I keep chasing the saddle fitter or trying speaking to the company? Anyone else on a similar boat?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Not with saddles but with cars tried to order one last week on lease hire and the earliest date is January and that was a few different companies and makes of car.

Could you maybe buy a cheap one to tide you over for now? There are some places you can hire them as well.

 

[Sealine]

A saddler told me last week that there are delays due to a leather shortage which is a knock on from Covid, and there is a shortage of saddlers in Walsall to make saddles as they are off sick or isolating due to Covid. That doesn't help you I'm afraid but may explain the delay.

 

[Mockingbird]

Thanks just some better communication would be good. It’s when you don’t hear anything it’s a nightmare. Order was placed mid April….horse is a bit of a funny shape hence the new saddle as I had hoped to get something second hand but wasn’t having much luck.

 

[Spottyappy]

I ordered a new saddle at the end of June,and was told to expect it at the end of August, early September.The saddler said that there was also an issue obtaining wood for the tree, along with the Covid issues.

 

[scats]

My saddle that was ordered in May is arriving this week. I was originally told 5 weeks, but I think that was a tad optimistic!

 

[Baywonder]

The big saddle companies are regularly quoting months to deliver a new saddle, and new orders are just added to the bottom of the list. Everyone is just so busy, but material supply issues, covid and holidays to name but a few, have all played a part in the backlog. After lockdown eased, the saddle industry went absolutely crazy, and lots are still trying to catch up with their orders.

Some saddle companies have also shut down completely for their annual summer holiday.

On the other hand, my DH has tried to keep his lead times to within a month at most, and generally if someone is without a saddle he tries to prioritise that if he possibly can.

It would be nice for you to have a bit of good old communication and honesty though - it really does go a long way!

Oh, and my DH has had no issues whatsoever obtaining leather, trees or fittings. He has also been working 7 days a week for the last 4 months, as he doesn't want to let his fitters or customers down! I have started to forget what he looks like to be honest...... ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Chum had a master saddler out on Saturday, he said to her he would be confident that an off the peg saddle could be ready just before xmas. Daft friend thought she was going to be having new saddle very much more soon.

 

[Mockingbird]

Thorowgood fairfax and black and country are still quoting 8-10 weeks but taking longer. Jeffries are say 12 weeks but actually telling saddle fitters up to 20 weeks and then not communicating. I think I’ll just try and buy a second hand saddle next time from a fitter. I think some of the French brands are 6 months wait at present

 

[sbloom]

A thread on a saddle fitters I'm on asked about this and answers went from 10-12 weeks (luckily that applies to me) to 7 months (note, for a brand already named quoting a LOT shorter!!). I was at 6-8 weeks with one brand before Covid, the other remains unchanged. Communication should keep you updated but equally it's really hard when we know nothing but may be flat out with our normal work and a ton more orders outstanding, it's just more and more work for some fitters.

We had a 3 month wait just for a tree, and the biggest tree maker has decided to prioritise their own saddle making and leave many of their other customers thoroughly in the lurch, not the first time they've done it. Sometimes Walsall is like the wild west.

@Mockingbird some brands are mostly fitted from stock, worth tracking down but make sure they have seen your horse in photos so you're not wasting a callout, they should be able to give you the odds of a fit on the day, or if what you need may be a gap in their stock.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

And if anyone has saddles knocking about they meant to sell now is the time!!! I've made money on the secondhand saddles I've bought in the last 3 years.