Saddle advice please

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missfroufrou

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Friend has just bought a horse, 5 year old about 15.3hh (to do a bit of everything). She said she was going to get a saddle from ebay because it would be cheaper to replace as he is likely to change shape. I am really really dubious about this, and have tried to advise her that it would be better to invest a bit in a decent saddle in case a cheap one causes problems. What do you think? any suggestions? Many thanks
 
As long as she gets it checked - regularly - by a saddle fitter, she could get away with it.
 
It is not really the cost but the fact that it won't be properly fitted that will cause problems. Lots of saddlers carry second hand saddles and synthetic ones that are more reasonable but they can make sure whatever she gets will fit the horse correctly. Or if she wants to be cheeky get them to fit a saddle to the horse and then look out for that style and size on ebay. You can make do with a saddle you already have for a while with a polypad and riser pad to protect the horse back but it isn't ideal. If she is going to spend the money she might as well start properly. Explain to the saddler and look at saddles like the Bates ones with changeable gullets and inserts so it can be altered as the horse changes shape. To be honest that will probably work out cheaper than buying two saddles anyway.
 
Its less about the quality of the saddle, more about whether it will fit or not. Unless the saddle that she is planning to buy is adjustable, I'd advise her to buy second hand from a reputable fitter.
 
If she buys it from ebay, how will she know if it will fit?

Seems arse about face to me to buy a saddle that may not fit because she doesn't want to buy a saddle that fits now in case the horse changes shape & the saddle won't fit in the future!!
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Why not see if a Wintec suits the horse? She could buy one 2nd hand (you can usualy pick them up for around £150) - she has a chance it could continue to fit with a change of gullet & she will probably be able to sell it in the future fo the same money she paid for it, hence not lose anything...
 
I bought a saddle off Ebay. However I knew it would fit because I had tried the same make and size on my mare before I had the one I have now and it fitted well.
 
If I were your friend, I'd get a saddle fitter to measure up first and then at least you'll be getting the right size from a professional. Some people are lucky with ebay - my experience was mixed. I bought a saddle off ebay; it didn't fit perfectly (it wasn't far off); but then I sold it again on ebay three weeks later for more than what I originally paid for it. So ebay is a bit risky but for some works very well.
 
Only ever bought new saddles from ebay and that was a good 5 years ago...got Bates dressage and GP, but sold them back on ebay when horse went. Trouble with ebay is you can't see if tree is broken, whether gullet is too narrow, or if stirrup bars are ok. Plus you can't leave negative feedback anymore, so you really have no idea who is honest and who is a complete charleton. I only buy of ebay in desperation these days...
 
I got three saddles from ebay. (Will I ever learn !? ) none of them fitted my horse, one was really uncomfortable including one from a 'made to measure' website that guarantees fit !
The money I ve spent I could of got a good one from a qualified saddle fitter which I have now done !
 
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