Numpty Question of the Day - Re saddlers/fitting/etc

[chickeninabun]

Hello, and welcome to today's numpty question. Today's ridiculous "novicey" question come in from chickeninabun and is about getting a saddler out.

I've read a few saddler's websites and they often state that they need to see the horse ridden, obviously. We don't have a school as such and I have been schooling on a piece of grass about 600yrds from the stables.
* Do you think this would be acceptable to get the saddler to traipse from stables to field?
* I'm not a great rider, so will they critisise me and will I feel a numpty riding in front of them? Do I just need to walk, trot and canter?
* Do they bring an assortment of saddles, both new and second hand?
* What sort of prices can I expect to pay? Am hoping to purchase a good second hand leather GP for my wide cob and have a budget of £500.
* Do you pay a call out charge plus the saddle cost or is it all included? But what if my saddle doesn't need changing, do I then just need to pay for them to come out?

Also any reccomendations for saddlers in Yorkshire please, although might need to do a seperate post on that!

Weight Watchers biscuits and diet-water

for those that have bothered to read my ramblings!

 

[Booboos]

Some saddlers prefer to fit 'standing' some prefer to fit 'ridden'. Personally I prefer to try out new saddles ridden, I take my time and try as many as I want.

The saddler should not make any comments about the quality of your riding - that would be rude and unkind! He might make comments about how the saddle affects you riding, e.g. a saddle throwing you forwards, but that's what he is there for!

You should clarify with the saddler in advance whether there is a call out charge, how much it is and whether it applies if you do buy a saddle. You should also tell them your budget, explain what kind of saddle you want and get them to confirm that they have several options for the type of saddle in your budget.

Good luck!

 

[gummybear]

Answers:
- the saddler should see you ride - he needs to see how the saddle fits you and the horse and if it moves much when you ride.
- Im sure if you tell them where you have to ride it wouldnt be a problem - he can always take his car to the field.
- They shouldnt criticise you, they are there to help you find a saddle to fit your horse, not give you a lesson, but maybe if you are "one sided" they may mention this as it could effect the fitting of the saddle, but dont feel intimidated at all. You will only have to walk trot & canter, unless you do a lot of jumping they may want to see you pop a little fence to make sure all ok.
- If you tell them what you are after saddle wise, and what your budget is, they will bring a selection to suit.
- They will probably charge you an initial call out fee, if your saddle needs reflocking that will probably be additional money. Worth asking them what the costs will be when you book an appointment.

Cant recommend anyone as not in that area - but saddlers are there to help you and make sure firstly that the horse is comfortable and secondly you.

 

[BFG]

It will all vary from saddle fitter to saddle fitter. You need to call one and tell them what type of saddle you want and that you have a budget. They wont be looking at how good you are at riding in a negative way it will be to see how the saddle responds to your riding.

The saddle fitter should come to wherever you need to go to ride. Don’t worry about asking them, maybe mention it when you book the visit.

Sorry dont know any in your area.

I pay a call out then buy the saddle if i dont buy a saddle a pay for a fitting (about £10.00).

 

[Silverspring]

These are not numpty questions at all and the answers really vary from saddle fitter to saddle fitter. I personally would not use a saddle fitter that did not expect to see the saddle ridden in, having just back my 4 year old (using a light weight saddle) I got a guy out to fit and he point blank refused to fit without me riding in it I fell off 4 times that day in the space of about 15 minutes...turns out the new saddles didn't feel so comfy

stupid warmblood! But I could tell when the right saddle was found as he didn't deck me in 2 seconds flat

I would give the saddle an idea of your budget so they don't bring 10 £700 saddles and 5 £600 saddles they will have a huge selection and will want an idea of what type of horse they are coming to fit (eg TB, Coblet, ID) and ideally any confo issue (eg high wither, no shoulders) so they can pick a selection that are most likely to fit.

It should be arranged prior to fitting what the call out will cost. Many saddlers waive the fitting IF you buy, clearly they won't do it for free if you decide not to buy a saddle in the end. It's worth asking

As for commenting on riding no they won't be critical and if they are tell them to sod off. They might point out something if they feel it's the saddle that is causing it, eg saddle smacking you in the ass and pushing you to lean forward, saddle tilting you back so you lean or wobble to compensate. they should know from looking what is the saddle and what is riding.

Oh and good luck, I'm so jealous!

 

[chickeninabun]

Thanks everyone. That's really helpful.
At least I know roughly what to expect now and that I'm not a complete numpty all of the time!

 

[Donkeymad]

Do you think this would be acceptable to get the saddler to traipse from stables to field?

<font color="red"> Most saddle fitters will be happy with this, as long as it is not six miles away! </font>
* I'm not a great rider, so will they critisise me and will I feel a numpty riding in front of them? Do I just need to walk, trot and canter?

<font color="red">A saddle fitter sees all sorts of riding and should not be commenting on your riding ability. You will normally only be required to walk and trot, or, if you after a jumping saddle, to jump </font>
* Do they bring an assortment of saddles, both new and second hand?

<font color="red"> Most do, some don't </font>
* What sort of prices can I expect to pay? Am hoping to purchase a good second hand leather GP for my wide cob and have a budget of £500.

<font color="red">Probably looking at between £200 - £500. Obviously they could be pricier, but that is your budget </font>
* Do you pay a call out charge plus the saddle cost or is it all included? But what if my saddle doesn't need changing, do I then just need to pay for them to come out?

<font color="red">Normally you will not pay a call out charge if you buy a saddle from them. they will however need to charge for their time if you do not buy from them </font>

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Where in Yorks are you?
I've just had my saddle completely reflocked (more or less) by Suzie from Todmorden who works in conjunction with Moody Mares in Mytholmroyd. Sorry I can't remember how to spell her Dutch surname without checking.
She was very thorough, came out and spent about an hour checking the saddle on and off the horse then took it away and brought it back a week later and adjusted it with a bit more flocking after she had refitted it. She spent another hour or so on the premises the 2nd time as well. Our facilities are not wonderful (we keep the horses at home) but she wanted to see the saddle ridden on and we managed.
If you would like her phone number, PM me and I'll get it for you. I don't know how far she travels though she obviously works in Halifax and Huddersfield.
I would certainly recommend her over another local saddle fitter who we all know!