Saddle fitter with second hand saddles in Dorset

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Hot_Toddy7

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Trying to find a saddle fitter in the Dorset area with a good stock of 2nd hand saddles. Usually use Martin Andrew but can't see anything on website that says about fittings, has he stopped doing this now?

Looked on SMS website and seen a few, but does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance and sorry it's such a generic thread!:)
 
I really struggled with getting saddles sorted. Martin was recommended to me but said he carried very little second hand stock now and had no dressage saddles in the right size for us. I had a bad experience with Norris's (a few years ago now so may have improved since then however) so although they do 2nd hand I wasn't keen. There is a lady called Linda Swindells from Saddle Sense who looks to have a nice range of good quality second hand on her facebook page but I have no idea how her fitting skills rate.

I ended up getting a second hand dressage saddle via an NFED wanted advert I placed that the seller let me take to try (turned out she was on the yard next door to me!) and then I got a lady called Chrissie (recommended by my yard owner) to come out and check it before agreeing to buy. Had to do the same with a polo saddle that luckily the seller let me take away having left full payment with her as deposit and she said she would take back and refund me if no good. Might be worth trying that route as I really struggled to find someone who had a good range AND was recommended as a good fitter in this area.
 
Martin still fits i think, split premises up so has a new workshop etc. Best to ring and ask. Otherwise nfed, I've got a couple to stick on there. Depends what you want really.
 
Thanks for your replies! My main issue is that I know my mare will be hard to fit as she has been before and it took a few tries to get the right saddle. Can't really justify getting 2 new custom fit saddles as they are not in a massive amount of work at the moment. Looking for a fairly decent GP, along the lines of Ideal, GFS, Saddle Co or something like that. I have 3 saddles at the moment to get rid of, but thinking that part ex-ing against a new saddle isn't really going to be an option!
 
Where abouts in Dorset are you? Can't remember her surname but I used a lady i think called Sally, will try to find her number but it was a couple of Years ago.There's also a couple advertise in the Blackmore vale magazine.
 
Ah, used to love BMV mag, but we're just outside the area! That would be fab, and also do let me know (via pm) of any I should avoid!

ETA: I'm near Wimborne :)
 
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Of course there's Nathaniel Underwood...very £££ and not strictly Dorset I believe he's in Chard. Our pony had his saddle fitted by him (before we bought him luckily!) and very nice it is too.
 
Part ex-ing seems damned near impossible. I had to sell my lovely old saddle on ebay and ended up getting £200 (or less by the time you factor in fees etc). There is no market for them but on the upside you may find one at a good price to buy. Martin does still fit but has virtually no 2nd hand stock. I went with Chrissie for fitting as she was recommended by everyone at the yard next door (a lot of them are competing at decent level so assume they are quite picky as to who they will use) and she is a lovely lady and seems very reliable and good at what she does. Also quick to sort out any problems (our mare keeps changing shape as young). If you want her number if you decide to go down the self source route please PM me (she again doesn't carry much if any 2nd hand). I'd give the Saddle Sense lady a go if you want a wide range to choose from but like I said I don't know how good her fitting skills are; perhaps someone else on here may be able to comment?
 
Sorry cant find her number anymore. Typically the only bmv I have in the house only has repairers/reflockers and someone who makes saddles. Will try and get hold of last weeks to look at
 
Thanks all for the replies. Think I'll go down the route of getting a fitter out with some new stock, find one that fits and then see what I can find second hand! Will pm you for numbers Billabong :)
 
I have a GFS changeable gullet you can try if you pick it up from Verwood? For sale but hasn't sold yet so welcome to try it for size.
 
I am a saddle fitter in Dorset with over 60 used saddles in stock with something to suit all budgets. I am also an authorised stockist for GFS and Saddle Company saddles.

I am not sure if I'm allowed to post links but if you google 'Saddle Sense' you will find me!
We also have a shop opening next week in Weymouth called 'Everything But The Horse'.
You will find both businesses on the web or Facebook.

x
 
Pete Legg who is based over at Dorchester is very good - his and Hayleys contact numbers are 07790781163 or 07899943237, they used to have a brilliant rug cleaning company and also make tack and rugs, now they have sold the rug cleaning side to Muddy Rugs and are just concentrating mostly on the leatherwork. You can go to him for fitting or he will come to you as well - lovely people and defiantely wouldnt hesitate to use them :)
http://www.caninequine.co.uk/index.asp?uid=133c1112-fecc-4079-a52f-eda486eb0ffd
 
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