Saddle Fitters in Hants/Wilts/Dorset

maletto

maletto

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Can anyone recommend me (or steer me away from) any saddle fitters in the Hampshire/Wiltshire/Dorset area?

I've read previous threads and seen that there are quite a few posts which say "I know the bad ones, PM me for details" but these were quite a while ago and i'm not sure if those users still post?

Any experiences good or bad please let me know, PM me if you prefer.

I'd like to find one who can come to me with a large selection of saddles (including secondhand) so that I can buy a jump saddle. I'd prefer it if they didn't try to force the most expensive option on me but rather the one that actually fits best! and I don't mind paying a call out fee.

Thanks in advance.
 
Martin Andrew from Horse-e-things was good when I used him on a previous horse, he didn't try to tell me the most expensive saddle was the best fit, and he really seemed to know his stuff. I have heard good things about Calcutts too, although haven't used them personally.
 
I had a saddle made by Calcutts, had tried loads of second hand ones, but my boy was very flat-backed, nothing fitted. They came out, measured me and my horse, I chose style, colour etc. Came out again for a fit, tweaked it a little further, and came back out 6 months later to check and re-stuff. All included in the saddle cost. This was about 14 years ago, saddle was £600 (and I had been trying second hand ones for up to £400) and I still use it, still looks fab. I would recommend them, if the service is still the same!
 
Calcutts have been fantastic over the years. I could rave about them so much that people would think I work for them! They really are good though. They had a new person come in to do the saddlry side of things a couple of years ago, I haven't heard anything bad about them so assume that they are still just as good as ever. 01962 760210.

I think I have said it before on here - Just make sure that you stick to your budget!
 
Thanks guys. I will probably give Calcutts a call. Does anyone else have any further comments? Some of those mentioned on the SMS website include: Norris of Beaulieau, Care Barnett, Helen Black, Jane Feasey and Jill Tremmill. Any comments on these ones?
 
I've tried a few but the only one I'd reccommend is Martin Andrew of Horse-e-Things in Fordingbridge. Fab man, really lovely, knows saddles inside out and my horse has never been happier. We had many troubles with my old pony not wanting to be sat on, turned out it was many badly fitting saddles from a few different saddlers and Martin sorted her out and she was SO much better for it.
 
.....and another Martin Andrew fan! He's very thorough, and is more interested in making sure your horse and you are comfortable than selling an expensive saddle. I got loads of second hand ones from other saddlers shops to try when he first came out, as well as the ones that he brought with him, and he tried them all on and found one that fitted really well, which was one of the ones that I'd picked up from somewhere else. Since then I've bought a new dressage saddle from him as well. He comes regularly to check fit and make adjustments for my ever changing horse, and will come late afternoon/early evening sometimes to fit in with my work. I'm happy to recommend him to anyone.
 
Thanks guys. I have actually used Martin a couple of times - bought my current saddle from him & then had him out to check the fit 6 months later. He brought some saddles for my friend to try at the time but she didn't end up buying one from him in the end.

Only thing that slightly put me off was that I ended up paying about 200 more for a saddle from him than if you had it made to measure by the manufacturers. Not a biggy but I am on a budget.

Still, horse's back is worth a lot more than a few hundred quid so I shall give him a call.

Thanks again everyone :)
 
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