Oh my... saddle fitters!

[sbloom]

What annoys me is how cut throat it all is. I have bought 3 secondhand saddles from the same saddle fitter and had them fitted and checked after a year and feel my horse is comfortable in them but then a Chiropractor comes out and raises an eyebrow when I say the saddles have been fitted and my horse seems happy with them. She had some issues with her back but I get huffy when one specialist raises and eyebrow about another. I don’t know who is right, so what do I do? Get a third person who will say something else?

Ask her to talk to the saddle fitter or explain why she has an issue with the saddles, going into detail about the issues she's finding. I know horses can appear to work well in a saddle but's still building up issues. So often an owner thinks their saddle is great (eg a few who have me out because as a rider they don't like their saddle) until they ride the horse in something better.

There are many roads to Rome, many ways to fit saddles. It IS difficult and ultimately you do need a team, saddle fitter, bodyworker and trainer, perhaps even hoof professional, who can work together, otherwise you can get finger pointing. I was chatting to one of my "team" rehab trainers today and we agreed that as professionals we must remember two things - there is always an element of Chinese whispers, always talk to the source as the customer will miss nuance and even detail, and then remember there is always another side. There are always customers unhappy with a fitter, but so often there is another side and we were prepared to walk away for a very good reason. I want customers I can work with.

 

[Kezzabell2]

It tried 5 different saddle fitters in one year!! finally on the 5th person I found someone that actually knew what they were doing. she's now been my saddle fitter for 4 years and I wouldn't use anyone else.
She basically trained because she had a young difficult horse to fit, and had loads of trouble finding someone to fit a saddle for her. so she's been amazing for me.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

As there are so many of us who have a bad experience, me included, i wonder if the training to be a saddle fitter is rigorous enough. Even so called Master saddlers don't seem much better. I know they have to make a living but come on , not every horse needs a brand new saddle!

 

[Green Bean]

Milliepops, I would normally agree with you, but my gut tells me the back issues relate to earlier issues from previous owner. She was not in the best shape when I bought her and I have, one by one gone through everything to make sure she is on the right track, chiropractor, dentist, vet, saddle fitter, and now chiropractor again which I intend to have every six months for the foreseeable future. She got some good cracks and muscle movement and already my horse is feeling happy in herself (she is very lovey when happy!).

 

[sbloom]

As there are so many of us who have a bad experience, me included, i wonder if the training to be a saddle fitter is rigorous enough. Even so called Master saddlers don't seem much better. I know they have to make a living but come on , not every horse needs a brand new saddle!

Master Saddlers on paper are not saddle fitters. Qualified Saddle Fitter is the qualification, there are now a handful of master saddle fitters. I'm hoping you read through my post, there are many reasons for saddles not working out, and some styles of saddle fitting suit some horses.

Master Saddlers - https://www.mastersaddlers.co.uk/training - feel free to correct anyone who demands you only recommend master saddlers when they need a saddle fitted!

 

[maya2008]

I may have a person... fingers crossed!!!

 

[Kaylum]

My friend had a saddle made by a well known company. The fitter came out did the measurements had one made. Got excited then the problems started. The saddle came looked ok the horse was not happy at all. Stopped at jumps the saddle went to.one side and just did not fit. Had them back out they reflocked it still didnt fit because it was the wrong size.

Physio told her the saddle didnt fit long story in the end she got her money back.

Ended up with a second hand 15 year old saddle that fits and the horse is happy with.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Yeah it was, :/

 

[spacefaer]

I think my OH had better go back into the saddle business. He can fit saddles and used to adjust them, but hasn't bothered for some time as he has other business interests. Somewhere in the house are all his tools......

He used to be part of a company called Falcon, who was bought out by Jeffries, back in the day