Roughly how much to get saddle checked?

[ridersince2002]

I have ridden this pony for a few years now, long story but the short of it is that shes always been stong and very mental, but i think shes got worse. Owner says its just her personality and as she knows her much better than i do i normally just agree with her. Teeth checked regularly and very recently are fine, owner wont get saddler out as she says its just her personality and as she knows her much better than i do i normally just agree with her. Owner wont pay for saddler, but will agree to it if i pay. I think that its probably worth getting it checked as she hasnt had it checked since ive ridden her so not for atleast a good few years!

Just wondered how much it would roughly cost for her saddle to be checked? We are in Surrey.
Also, ive never actually been there while a saddler is on the yard so i would appreciate it if somebody would be able to explain (no need to go into great detail!) how the saddler checks it, and what they do if saddle is found not too fit? Cant imagine owner would fancy forking out on a new saddle, and im in no position to pay hundreds on a pony i dont own and only ride once a week!

(i make it sound like the owner is tight fisted: shes not, but doesnt feel the need to pay for things she feels are unnecessary)

 

[giveitago]

Oo, thats a difficult one.

Does the pony nip when you girth, push his ears back when you mount etc?

Marianna from better saddles is about £40 a visit depending where you are. However, i suspect if you have a treed saddle she 'll tell you it doesnt fit.

A qualified riding instructor should be able to see whether a saddle fits, not as good as a qualified saddler but it might be a start.

Have a google and see what the basics of saddle fitting are and have a look at the pony. You'll be able to tell whether its too tight over the wither etc yourself and that may lead to a conversation with the owner about getting someone qualified into help.

You could always post some piccies here and get a multitude of opinions if you like.

 

[Damnation]

Saddlers generally will take a template, look at the saddle on the horse whilst its stood then look at how it sits with a rider on board.
It should be done at least once a year because horses are constantly changing shape with the seasons and age and amount of work etc. So many variable its always worth getting it checked!!

 

[K27]

Sounds like a wise idea to get saddle checked! for your info re prices I'm in Sussex, my saddles get checked every 6 months- and I recently had 2 saddles checked which was £75.00 including the call out fee- so £32.50 per saddle.

If they need flocking/adjusting it is approx an extra £70.00 per saddle but the prices will probably vary depending on the saddler you use and where you are located.

saddle fitters do seem to work differently from saddler to saddler- but most would check and assess the fit and balance of the saddle on the horse first, and then if it fits- watch you ride in it without any saddlecloths/numnahs underneath so they can see if it's moving on the horses back and how it's fitting and affecting the horses way of going- they would also see how it's affecting your position too.

After they've seen you ride in it and the saddle is deemed to fit the horse, it may need flocking which most saddlers do whilst on site, then they will re fit saddle and watch you ride the horse in it again to check all is ok!

I would get recommendations from friends or on here of who to use and speak to some saddlers first, if you weren't sure. They are also listed on the society of master saddlers website.

 

[unicornleather]

The saddler or saddle fitter will try the saddle on your horse/pony without any saddlecloth or numnah to check the fit.
The person fitting the saddle will determine amongst other things if the head is the correct shape(height) for the ponies wither profile, whether the head is the correct width at the gullet for the withers and whether the length of the tree corresponds to the length of ribcage available.
The panel will have to sit evenly on the horses back without any pressure points and be lump free, these are just the basics and there are alot more checks to perform but it would take me ages to list them all!
Once they are happy with the fit at this stage and they are happy it will fit you as well (your style of riding, your experience of riding, your weight, height,build/shape and length of your femur will determine this) then they should see the rider on board.
If the saddle is obviously a bad fit then it is doubtful if they would see a rider on the saddle as it could possibly make the pony react to it and put the rider in danger. We can usually tell if there's going to be a problem.
I don't go out on site now (after 23 years of saddle fitting, flocking and repairing on site it was enough!) but my prices are still current, I would charge fitting a saddle and no other work if it is ok £10, if it needs it, flocking a saddle on site to the horse's profile (includes a return visit after 2 weeks to add further flock as nine times out of ten it goes down again and needs more) £30, call out up to 10 miles £10, so the most people pay me to fit and flock their saddle is £40.
Oz