Saddle Fitters - NW area?

[Sam_J]

Another vote here for Lavinia Mitchell. Fab and worth the wait

 

[Micky]

Even though she doesnt appear to be qualified?

 

[Sam_J]

IMHO Qualifications are not the be all and end all. A couple of people on our yard have had one of the other fitters mentioned on this thread out to their horses. Cost a fortune, waited ages for a 'made to measure' saddle, horse now has white hairs on her spine... I wouldn't pay this person in washers!

Lavinia was recommended to me by more than one person. There was no high pressure sales technique, she spent a lot of time ensuring that daughter and pony were comfortable and the pony (who had been bucking daughter off because of the saddle) went extremely well in the saddle that Lavinia fitted.

 

[wench]

Has anyone got any comments on the Stables Saddlery in Lymm?

 

[dressagelove]

David at Village saddlery is qualified and not a patch of the fitter who Lavinia is. Experience and passion goes further in many cases.

 

[rachyblue]

The ladies from Crewe Saddlery are qualified and they make a real effort to find something that fits. David dismissed me without even measuring my horse because I said I wanted to try for an off the the peg saddle. He just looked at him - his exact words were "you won't get anything to fit that - it's like a bloody table". I was only a 19 year old student at the time so I guess I didn't look like I had lots of money. I spent my grant on my saddle We used to shop at David's shop until that point. Not anymore after that.

The ladies from Crewe brought me lots of different saddles, and narrowed it down to two that fit him, and I chose the one that was comfiest for me. They have since fitted two other horses for me, the other two were fitted with the same saddle (not the original - I bought a new saddle for no 2, and then had it fitted to no 3.). I have known them to very persistent in fitting a horse who is a really odd shape off the peg.

 

[Madam Min]

The ladies from Crewe Saddlery are qualified and they make a real effort to find something that fits.

I'd second Crewe, they've fitted both our horses with time and care, our TB isnt the easiest fit, being a skinny minnie with high withers! Lots on our yard use them, all really pleased with the results and service!

 

[cavana13]

Hi, after spending £2.5k on a saddle from David at village. That didn't fit me or the horse, I wouldn't go back to David. I bought a youngster, asked him to come out try a few different types of saddles, didn't bring one to try, didn't even watch my horse move. Came back with various price of saddles, that probably would even suit my horse. I just thought the no find somebody else.

i found a lovely master saddler emily green from willow saddlery, she spent two hours with my horse taking pictures, got me to try a saddle to see how my horse move, the best thing is she knows horses, and picks up on how you ride and how the horse moves. Excellent value for money, bought a beautiful saddle for my growing youngster, that we know will change shape she worked with me as we had to make some allowances with the saddle. I know have a beautiful saddle that sits very well allowing my horse to move correctly. No more trying a saddle and David's not even watching.
With seeing the time and effort emily put in a few people have moved away from David now.

 

[Micky]

Isn't it odd how different people experience different things with saddlers and farriers...David has always been great, watched me ride, assessed the horse, fit the saddle to me and horse ( though I did have a choice of which saddle), never had a problem! And the same with the farrier I use, sometimes a bit late but not a problem, if he's very late, I usually ring him and he's invariably on his way, never not turned up and always been great...
Sometimes I think it can be the clients themselves as opposed to the pros...

 

[Honey08]

Its the client not the pro! Perhaps in some cases, but there seem to be a lot of "not impressed with David" people on here. I was quite happy to give David a go, he wasn't interested as I wanted to spend hundreds not thousands! Then seeing him work with the other two people I know that use him and how he milked them confirmed it for me. He did watch their horses move and them ride however.

Interesting that there is only one saddler on here that is really getting negative comments though. I guess if you charge twice as much as anyone else but some people still use you it doesn't matter if half the people don't like you!

 

[webble]

Another not impressed by David here I made two appointments with him both got cancelled at about the time he was due to turn up

 

[dressagelove]

Isn't it odd how different people experience different things with saddlers and farriers...David has always been great, watched me ride, assessed the horse, fit the saddle to me and horse ( though I did have a choice of which saddle), never had a problem! And the same with the farrier I use, sometimes a bit late but not a problem, if he's very late, I usually ring him and he's invariably on his way, never not turned up and always been great...
Sometimes I think it can be the clients themselves as opposed to the pros...

Not likely seeing as a huge drop in performance and muscle tone from a poorly fitting saddle is difficult to disagree with....I spent the same kind of money with Lavinia on fitting and saddle, so the only thing different to indicate the skill involved with the saddle fitting was my horse's performance in each saddle.

But each to their own, all I can do is pass on my experiences, it's up to the OP what they do with that information.

 

[Micky]

As you say, each to their own but I have met a few people over the years who think they are gods gift when it comes to horses and all and sundry should listen to what they say and run around after them...not a great attitude to have...
If the poorly fitting saddle was the problem, I would have had the original saddler out to correct it, give them the chance to rectify themselves...obviously if that didn't work, find a new saddler..

 

[AnyChance]

David at Village saddlery is qualified and not a patch of the fitter who Lavinia is. Experience and passion goes further in many cases.

my experience with this person was also not good I paid 1800 for an amerigo event saddle that didn't fit me or my horse, He was desperately late on the fitting day by 2 hours without even a call or apology, took my dressage saddle to flock which in my opinion wasn't a good job I won't go back but that is just my own personal experience and I know of others who like him!

 

[Impu1sion]

Another very dissatisfied customer of Village Saddlery. Horse's performance dropped dramatically after buying new £2.2K saddle, saddle was tight (2nd opinion by another saddle fitter agreed), gave David the opportunity to fix, he insisted it was fine and charged me £110 for the privilege. 6 months later I sold the saddle at a massive loss (Village Saddlery just weren't interested or helpful)

 

[Honey08]

Bumping this up for someone.

 

[fatpiggy]

Another very dissatisfied customer of Village Saddlery. Horse's performance dropped dramatically after buying new £2.2K saddle, saddle was tight (2nd opinion by another saddle fitter agreed), gave David the opportunity to fix, he insisted it was fine and charged me £110 for the privilege. 6 months later I sold the saddle at a massive loss (Village Saddlery just weren't interested or helpful)

My friend had a MTM saddle from Village Saddlery. When it came to be fitted the horse started bucking (owner wanted something nice and quiet as she has back problems) and when they looked closely the saddle clearly didn't fit. He blamed the fact that he had used another horse's template on her! The horse then had to have 2 months off to let her back settle down, and the saddle was remade - at my friends expense! It still needed adjusting when it was fitted a second time. All in all it cost my friend over £1000 and the horse she had only just bought was basically unrideable all summer. Not impressed.

 

[dressagelove]

Another very dissatisfied customer of Village Saddlery. Horse's performance dropped dramatically after buying new £2.2K saddle, saddle was tight (2nd opinion by another saddle fitter agreed), gave David the opportunity to fix, he insisted it was fine and charged me £110 for the privilege. 6 months later I sold the saddle at a massive loss (Village Saddlery just weren't interested or helpful)

Identical to my story. Man wants reporting to trading standards.

 

[LC90]

Gaynor from horsehoundandrider.com is very good and I would think that she would be willing to do that for you.

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

I have an appointment booked with Vaughn from (what was) Chester Saddlery. I have read so many threads on here about who to use/who not to use and I feel I'm chasing my tail - don't know what to do for best. Tried to get in touch with Nigel, he does have a broken leg, Anita has no appointments for at least 8 weeks and the others just don't answer their phones. I can't wait much longer, the saddle I have really doesn't fit, it slips and it's an accident waiting to happen.

People on my yard have their own optinions on Vaughn, some good, some bad. Some have a bad opinion and have never even had him out to their horse- they're just copying what someone else said!! Does anyone have a positive experience with him? Does he watch you ride?

 

[LovesCobs]

he was very good with a nervous horse I had, took his time with her and fitted a thorowgood T4, he doesn't have second hand (did at the shop but didn't fit them?) he didn't watch or ask me to ride. I wouldn't have as she was going for re-breaking. i can't remember if I'd said this or if he just wouldn't have anyway. In my opinion he was expensive in comparison to others I've had, seemed nice and in the short time it was used the saddle was fine (sold mare on within a month or so)he gave some good tips on girths (esp for daughters wide ribbed pony) though he said her saddle company saddle (that she had come with) didn't fit. but before I paid for another saddle I got a saddle company fitter out who re-flocked it and said it was fine?! so the jury is out for me. sorry probably no help!

 

[webble]

I have an appointment booked with Vaughn from (what was) Chester Saddlery. I have read so many threads on here about who to use/who not to use and I feel I'm chasing my tail - don't know what to do for best. Tried to get in touch with Nigel, he does have a broken leg, Anita has no appointments for at least 8 weeks and the others just don't answer their phones. I can't wait much longer, the saddle I have really doesn't fit, it slips and it's an accident waiting to happen.

People on my yard have their own optinions on Vaughn, some good, some bad. Some have a bad opinion and have never even had him out to their horse- they're just copying what someone else said!! Does anyone have a positive experience with him? Does he watch you ride?

I had a good experiience the first time and yes e watched me ride. second time was last appointmnt o his way home with Jules waiting in the car and no he didnt watch me ride and was only there for about ten mins, afterwards I decided it didnt fit.

Nigels leg must be on the mend soon, my boss is on the yard he keeps his horses at and its been quite a few weeks now.

Anita did have someone working with her at one point, I cant remember her name but I have seen her fit and she seemed very good

This is why I went down the treeless route I was forever adjusting and no being convinced by fit etc

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

Thanks for your answers, I'm not sure whether it's him or Howard coming yet. My appointment is at 11am so I hope he won't be rushing back as I do think that would make a difference. I think I will ask him to see me ride as my Welsh D has strange movement in his shoulders which is where I'm having the problem with them fitting.

Anita really doesn't have anything at all for months othrwise I would have had her

Sometimes I feel no matter who you get, people always say they're rubbish so it puts me off everyone!

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

Bringing this back up because still haveing a nightmare trying to find a good saddle fitter. Need one to take some flocking out of a new saddle and re-fitting.

1) David at Village Saddlery was really rude and told me he wouldn't touch it as I haven't bought it off him and practically laughed at me down the phone
2) Vaughn at Chester Saddlery tried to sell me one that was about 3 sizes too small when he came to fit for me a few months ago but he was a nice chap - he didn't pressure me into it but I didn't feel as though he was that knowledgeable for what was best - just that he wanted to sell his saddle
3) Anita's waiting list is huge and I've been on it since before Xmas and I will probably be on it until next xmas
4) Andy Wheals doesn't have anything until 13th July in my area.

HELP!!!!

 

[Flame_]

My village saddlery experiences.

A few years ago he fitted an Albion to my big mare. Couldn't get it to stop slipping round to one side, had to wait too long each time i needed him back and he arrived late. He did give me a refund for the saddle when I requested one rather than points straps etc.

Even longer ago he made a saddle for my sisters little welsh x arab. We had to pad it up from the day it came and it ended up fitting perfectly, IMHO, her next pony which was a super-broad coloured cob! I wouldn't particularly recommend him tbh, other than he seems a nice enough bloke when you can get him out.

I've used saddles direct, they're great, but more in a second hand selection and customer service sense than fitting which is pretty much DIY.

I now use Saddle Exchange who are based a million miles away, which is a pita because if I want them I have to wait until they're up here, but I like their saddles.

ETA Heather, the saddle consultant's OK for adjustments and stuff and she never used to have a stupid length waiting list if that's any help?

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

ETA Heather, the saddle consultant's OK for adjustments and stuff and she never used to have a stupid length waiting list if that's any help?

I've called her today and although she's now moved and is too far out to come to me (her words), she was really helpful and I just wished she was closer and would come. She advised me that what I'm asking for is actually really simple and straight forward, and not to let anyone charge me more than £x amount etc. I liked her and she recommended a few people to me, one being Anita and one Vaughn. Round in circles!

 

[Flame_]

Have you got transport? Could you take the horse to her?

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

Have you got transport? Could you take the horse to her?

No I have a friend who has a trailer but I don't feel as though I could ask her to do that. I might sound it out but I feel cheeky asking, even though I'd pay her. Anita said she'd look at my saddle on Friday if I take it in to her but she can't fit it on my horse due to her waiting list. Maybe this is the next best thing?

 

[emmah]

I am based just outside chester and I use a lady called Sally Cartwright from Saddlery Services she is really nice and I have had no problems with the three saddles I have bought off her. PM me if you want her number

 

[Cheshire Chestnut]

Just a small update - I took a load of photos and measurements, along with my new saddle to Anita. She spent ages with me explaining how it should fit and her optinions on how it looks currently on him (from photos). She then adjusted it slightly by padding it down with a saddle hammer thing and it made it a whole lot squashier/looser as the newly added flocking was very puffed up to start with. I took it back and it fitted like a glove! Pony is so happy and I rode him in the school in it and it was like riding a different pony!!

Anita wouldn't take any money off me even though I'd been there well over an hour. Such a nice lady and so so helpful, so I bought a new posh saddle cloth, lunge whip and fly spray from her too. She then messaged me later on that night to ensure it fitted and to see how I got on.

Wow, after all my bad experiences with saddle fitters - what a fab lady! I'd never think twice about going to her for help/advice. She couldn't come see me but she really did try her best to help me when I went to see her, plus her shop is like Aladdin's cave - full of horsey wonders!