Saddle fitting for a difficult dutch WB mare - any advice please!!

F

fredajackson

New User
Joined
8 December 2009
Messages
3
Visit site
Hi,

I'm looking for any advice/experience anyone has had fitting saddles to dutch warmbloods. I'm having trouble finding something to fit my mare Saffi - she is 16h, and we think she was used as a brood mare for a while as she is a bit of a funny shape (very wide shoulders and a bit of a belly - but she's still beautiful!). I've tried lots of different saddlers (I'm now on my 5th) and they don't seem to be able to find anything. I was using a Wintec, but it's pinching her shoulders. I've tried Thorowgood, Black Country, and various other second hand leather saddles - I just don't have £1000 plus to spend on something unless I get even more in debt!
She is a typical mare in that she really lets you know when something is uncomfortable (the faces she can pull are amazing). I know I have to get something to fit her properly - the last saddler has suggested a custom made one for about £1000 - is this really the only route to go?

I'd be so grateful for any advice or past experiences any one has had to help us, before Saffi bites my head off!

Freda
confused.gif
 
My boy is a dutchXbelgum warmblood and has huge shoulders and withers - i got the master saddler out (would reccomend you get a master saddler out!). I got an excellum (ABC) saddle off her and she re flocked it and it fits him really well now! He also was a lot like a mare and really lets you know when something is uncomfortable - this was the only saddle she had out of her huge collection which actually fitted him properly and he went nicely in it
smile.gif
!
 
Mine is a dutch WB and he has a Jeffries Falcon Event Saddle which is a medium fit. It was second hand but cost me a small fortune as they hold their value.
 
It is a very common mistake to make but a Master Saddler is different to a qualified Saddle Fitter!!! Some Master saddlers and qualified saddlers are also qualified saddle fitters and some qualified saddle fitters are not saddlers
confused.gif
For a list of SMS qualified saddlers in your area look on the Society of Master Saddlers website.
 
[ QUOTE ]

the last saddler has suggested a custom made one for about £1000 - is this really the only route to go?


[/ QUOTE ]
No. There will have been many horses in the country the same shape as your mare over the last 20 years, its just a question of tracking down one of their saddles.
grin.gif


There are second hand saddles all over the place. You want one that is the right size for you, the right width for her and with a tree shape to suit her back. Try on loads of saddles, you'll soon develop an eye for what is sitting right. Then start to hunt for the right one.

If you spend that £1000 having one M to M, its no guarantee the horse will be happy with it when its finished and you are stuck with a non-standard saddle that's hard to sell. 'Tis a course of action to be avoided IMO.
 
Thanks - that makes a lot of sense! Will avoid made to measure, and check out the master saddlers in this area - I'm pretty certain one of the ones who came out is a master saddler, but he is always incredibly busy and very difficult to get hold of!
 
I had a saddle made to fit my daughters warmblood mare and it never fitted her properly. Its a beautiful saddle that is just sitting gathering dust and it cost me £1000
 
Agreed saddle fitter and they may recommend stubben they are really good at fitting warmbloods with wide backs. Be careful with the wintec spoon shape as well as this doesnt always fit WBs
 
My boy had a stubben when I 1st got him & it caused no end of problems! He's WB x.
I'd recommend listening to what the qualified saddle fitter has to say & asking if they deal in 2nd hand saddles as some do.
ETS - OP you have my sympathies! My boy is also quite difficult to fit as he's very compact but has huge, huge shoulders! I hope you get something sorted for your mare.
 
Have you thought about a WOW saddle? They are pricey new but I picked up a second hand one and had it adjusted to suit. Absolutely love it
smile.gif
 
I had exactly the same problem with my mare-would suggest getting a qualified saddlefitter and just trying loads of different saddles, took me ages to find a saddle that fitted my girl properly and now I have 2-an Anky dressage and a Barnsby event
laugh.gif
. Also not sure what type of saddle your looking for, but might be worth looking at dressage/event saddles instead of GPs as the straighter cut front often fits wider shoulder horses better.
 
I have a very difficult horse to fit and am going through a nightmare at the moment too with saddles that don't fit and saddle fitters, after spending a very serious amount of money. I've recently spoken to some very very helpful fitters and if I could advise you anything it would be to try out loads and loads of saddles, check you are personally happy with the saddle and their sales attitude, if not walk away and go to another fitter. My boy has very big withers and I've been advised by lots of people to go for a Kieffer, as they can also be adjusted, and flex with the horses movement or even just a Thorowgood Adjustable synthetic (like you've probably tried already) , have you tried an Albion as they have lots of different fittings and do a TB tree or a High head fitting- just try loads of saddles and don't be swayed by particular makes or sales patter- your horse will tell you what they are comfortable in, mine does!. Be sure that the saddle fitter doesn't just concentrate on getting enough clearance above the withers as sometimes they will fit too narrow! good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top