MrsNorris
Well-Known Member
Opinions on this fit please, there is a good 6 fingers between wither and pommel. It’s an Albion Platinum Ultima, stamped E on the stirrup bars which is medium wide. Thanks
Pictures Saddle fit again...sorry
- Thread starter MrsNorris
- Start date
Polos Mum
Well-Known Member
Hard to judge from photo but if you put a AA battery or round pencil in the seat it would roll very far back before stopping - the lowest part looks to be in line with the back of the saddle - not where the stirrups are
So I think it's too high in front and would tip the rider backwards
6 inches up in front doesn't sound good.
wrong shaped tree, too narrow, girth straps not in right place - who knows but it doesn't look any good to my untrained eye!
So I think it's too high in front and would tip the rider backwards
6 inches up in front doesn't sound good.
wrong shaped tree, too narrow, girth straps not in right place - who knows but it doesn't look any good to my untrained eye!
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Far too narrow. There might be other issues with it if you went wider, but as it stands it doesnt come close to fitting.
AmyMay
Situation normal
I'm not sure an Albion would ever fit a cob.
MrsNorris
Well-Known Member
Glad it’s not just me then, this was fitted 2 days ago by a qualified saddle fitter and master saddler 
Wheels
Well-Known Member
It looks quite far forward - are you sure you have 3-4 fingers distance between the back of the shoulder blade and the tree points?
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
Glad it’s not just me then, this was fitted 2 days ago by a qualified saddle fitter and master saddler
Surely not! (Not that I disbelieve you, OP) if it is perfectly obvious that the saddle doesn't fit to a raft of people on HHO, how on earth did a qualified saddle fitter not see it? Was the saddle ridden on at the fitting? What did the horse think about it?
It looks too narrow to me, too far forward and only 'fits where it touches'
MrsNorris
Well-Known Member
I’m afraid so, saddle was ridden in, horse was a little reactive, saddle was taken away for adjustment, then I picked it up to trial it without it being checked again. Horse wasn’t impressed, at all. So we can safely say it’s a crap fit then? I’m losing faith in saddle fitters...
w1bbler
Well-Known Member
Its looks too far forward, but I suspec if you moved it further back it could go past the last rib, very difficult to assess from the photos, but I not be happy to ride in that
MrsNorris
Well-Known Member
It’s about 2 to 3 finger, girth straps are far back if you put it any further back..
Polos Mum
Well-Known Member
That is pretty common unfortunately. (same vets, farriers etc.) I think the best you can do is to read lots, talk to people ask questions and educate yourself as much as possible to you can spot the basics of a bad fit yourself and then question the fitter
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
The trouble is that imo the owner/rider has a role in fitting a saddle. You are the one who can tell whether the horse is going well in a saddle, someone watching might not be able to judge that. If the horse was reactive, really the addle should have been rejected. Some 'saddle fitters' have only done a very short course and have very little experience.
Nari
Well-Known Member
Glad it’s not just me then, this was fitted 2 days ago by a qualified saddle fitter and master saddler
Did they bring their guide dog with them?!
I'm no saddler, but even from the photos it's quite clear it doesn't fit, never fitted & never will. You clearly have doubts about it so why did you ever accept it? I hope you can return it & get your money back, I certainly wouldn't ride in it even for a trial period.
flying_high
Well-Known Member
That’s not entirely true Albion are twinned with Fiona Cork and do both showing and flat tree dressage saddles aimed at cobs and natives.
DabDab
Ah mud, splendid
Nope, not even close to fitting - too narrow and wrong tree shape. Definitely ditch the saddle fitter. Whereabouts are you? Maybe someone can recommend a good egg close by
holeymoley
Well-Known Member
Without reading replies I would guess that that looks like the wrong shaped tree for the shape of the horse. Don’t like it from the side either. 6 inches is a lot of clearance?
Edited: just read replies. Can’t believe that’s been professionally fitted! Looks like you’ve just tried it on.
Edited: just read replies. Can’t believe that’s been professionally fitted! Looks like you’ve just tried it on.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
It looks too far forwards and too big. If the saddle is on trial I would simply reject it and get a different saddler.
tallyho!
Following a strict mediterranean diet...
Glad it’s not just me then, this was fitted 2 days ago by a qualified saddle fitter and master saddler
That's shocking!!! Try another fitter and check their credentials online - they should have at least an 'interest' in saddle fitting
if you're looking for a recommendation, Lavinia Mitchell saddles. These saddles go very wide.
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
Having had a very similar dilemma I can highly recommend AH Saddles - Steph Bloom.
Prior to that we too had a master saddler out to fit a new saddle which then caused us issues.
I know everybody wants a bargain but we realized as well as the first & foremost consideration of horse welfare, that if your paying out for lessons & competition fees etc, why settle for a mediocre fit - it affects the horses whole way of going & what we are all seeking the lift through the back.
Prior to that we too had a master saddler out to fit a new saddle which then caused us issues.
I know everybody wants a bargain but we realized as well as the first & foremost consideration of horse welfare, that if your paying out for lessons & competition fees etc, why settle for a mediocre fit - it affects the horses whole way of going & what we are all seeking the lift through the back.
MrsNorris
Well-Known Member
I think because I really liked the saddle, it fits me beautifully, and I was just hoping he was right and I was wrong. Silly really, should always trust your gut. Haven’t paid for it yet, and certainly won’t be putting it on my poor horse again.
MrsNorris
Well-Known Member
Think this is what I’ll do. Do you know who fits s. west?
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
I believe its Georgina Davidge - have a look on their facebook page - AH Saddles Specialist Native ….. there's also a very good facebook 2nd hand page - Used Native Pony & Cob Saddles
saddlesore
Well-Known Member
That’s shocking OP, not even close to fitting. I’ve actually fitted my last 2 horses myself after so many disasters with my horses and others. Total minefield ☹ï¸
SEL
Well-Known Member
I had a master saddler get very cross with me when I refused to pay out £1700 for a new saddle which she insisted fitted the horse. Said horse was doing weird stretchy stuff when I was riding in it and luckily I wasn't convinced so said no.
Its really hard though when the horse is an odd shape and you really need an expert to advise you.
Its really hard though when the horse is an odd shape and you really need an expert to advise you.
Moogleberry
Well-Known Member
After no end of problems with saddle fitters and second hand saddles I had S Bloom out to fit my boy with an AH Saddle, best decision I’ve made for him
wills_91
Well-Known Member
I would be asking for a refund. This saddle in no way fits. I'm sure someone has already said but really when it comes to saddle fitting I think you need to educate yourself as much as you can, YouTube for tutorials, read about it and if you can have a play about trying different saddles on different horses (I know not always possible) I'm forever driving friends nuts poking about looking at their saddles 🤣 purely educational purposes. Knowledge is power.
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
I agree wills_91 its a fascinating learning curve & one so many sadly seem to neglect.
Wheresthehoofpick
Well-Known Member
Try Julia Garrett. She’s brilliant. Based near Bristol but travels South west area. You may have to wait though!
sbloom
Well-Known Member
Wow thank you for the endorsements guys! Kai Riley is our SW fitter, Georgina goes as far as Southampton from her base in Chichester.
It probably is too narrow, and agree that widening it will probably throw up other issues, but you can't actually say that unless you see the tree points against the horse. A high withered dressage saddle on a mutton withered cob could give 5 fingers clearance even if in the right width, I've seen it from another supposed specialist in natives.
Albions have fairly long points more suited to more average width horses, I don't find the rails/twist work well on wider backs either. Albion do make the Fiona Cork show saddles but I know nothing about the trees used in those.
This drives me nuts. I am not qualified, I see recommendations to only ever use a qualified saddle fitter all over the place. Then I keep hearing of them NOT seeing saddles ridden in after adjustment. Unless it's an adjustment that will only show if it works once walked in (this IS sometimes necessary) for at least 30 minutes then the saddle should always be seen ridden. If it's not complain to the governing body, you're picking a qualified fitter because you think they have rules.
Girthing MUST suit the horse's shape too. I would say this rear ward girthing is pulling the saddle forwards, it may fit in better balance if you had it further back, but it almost certainly won't stay there.
When looking at a saddle imagine where the centre of your weight should "fall" - it would generally be a line down the flap, normally about 2/3 of the way back on it. If you drew a vertical line from the lowest part of this saddle it falls right at the back of the flap, with the flap angling forwards of the line. If anyone has photos of saddles out of balance like this that they're happy for me to use on a FB post showing what I'm talking about let me know, I never have time to take them when at customers (as the ill fitting old saddle isn't the priority!).
It probably is too narrow, and agree that widening it will probably throw up other issues, but you can't actually say that unless you see the tree points against the horse. A high withered dressage saddle on a mutton withered cob could give 5 fingers clearance even if in the right width, I've seen it from another supposed specialist in natives.
Albions have fairly long points more suited to more average width horses, I don't find the rails/twist work well on wider backs either. Albion do make the Fiona Cork show saddles but I know nothing about the trees used in those.
This drives me nuts. I am not qualified, I see recommendations to only ever use a qualified saddle fitter all over the place. Then I keep hearing of them NOT seeing saddles ridden in after adjustment. Unless it's an adjustment that will only show if it works once walked in (this IS sometimes necessary) for at least 30 minutes then the saddle should always be seen ridden. If it's not complain to the governing body, you're picking a qualified fitter because you think they have rules.
Girthing MUST suit the horse's shape too. I would say this rear ward girthing is pulling the saddle forwards, it may fit in better balance if you had it further back, but it almost certainly won't stay there.
When looking at a saddle imagine where the centre of your weight should "fall" - it would generally be a line down the flap, normally about 2/3 of the way back on it. If you drew a vertical line from the lowest part of this saddle it falls right at the back of the flap, with the flap angling forwards of the line. If anyone has photos of saddles out of balance like this that they're happy for me to use on a FB post showing what I'm talking about let me know, I never have time to take them when at customers (as the ill fitting old saddle isn't the priority!).
sbloom
Well-Known Member
The only warning I would sound is that there are many paradigms of saddle fitting. It used to be, pretty much, that they were broadly similar, certainly for "regular" treed saddles, but that is no more. For instance there is hot debate in the saddle fitting world about SaddleFit4Life. They use a VERY different system yet imply that it is universal. If you try fitting regular saddles to their paradigm you could really land in trouble, yet Jochen Schleese's videos are shared on a huge scale, great marketing. No one approach is the new "one way", there are downsides to everything.
Find a fitter who comes highly recommended for your particular issue and see if they will answer your questions, explain what they are doing, and that that explanation is cohesive, and you think you could work with them. Then you'll probably do well!