Saddle fitting - rant!

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Carpetsmum

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Why is that in every other professional service I can obtain a second opinion on work carried out, but it's against saddle fitters ethics to check another fitters work?

It seems that I have to either lie about wanting a new saddle to get another fitter out or make a complaint to the SMS about the original saddle fitter. The former option will cost more money that I haven't really got and the latter will result in a formal enquiry which seems a bit over the top!

I just want a second opinion! is it really too much to ask?
 
Well, ultimately if you're really unhappy then complain - I agree that it's farcical but the only other option you have is to phone a different saddle fitter, tell them it's a new horse and that you don't think the saddle fits and could they check it. I think either way it's going to cost you time / money - do you not know anyone experienced enough to give you an opinion without booking the fitter?
 
That is a total farce, I would complain on the basis that you cannot get a second opinion. Most BHS instructor would be able to tell you if a saddle was incorrectly fitted, I'm sure it part of their training. I understand that this opinion may not be as good as a master saddler but it would be a basis for deciding if you wanted to complain and get your money back or continue to ride in the saddle if the BHS person thinks it ok?
 
I fit Saddle Company saddles - pm me some pics of the horse without the saddle from the sides and from behind (so I can see if he is uneven) and then pics of the same angles with the saddle on (no girth or numnah) and then with the girth. Finally, if you are able, pics of you sitting in the saddle.

I can let you have my opinion if you like?
 
I am confused here - most saddlers will do a refit and won't give two hoots when the last one was done. However all charge.

To be honest I wouldn't trust anyone trained in the BHS stages to give me an opinion on saddles!!!
 
I've bitten the bullet and complained to the retailer who has agreed to send someone out to check the fit. I think that under normal trading standards rules I have to give them the opportunity to put things right if necessary. It's a bit of a halfway house to a full complaint but I hope it will solve the problem.

I have the opinions of 2 experienced people who both agree that the saddle sits very high on my boy. One of which is my new BHS instructor but the other person spent many years assisting her husband who was a very experienced saddle fitter (unfortunately deceased).

If the retailer disagrees then I expect I'll have to chalk it up to very expensive experience and start again!

CBAnglo - thanks for the offer, if I can work out how to do it I will try and get some photo's to you.

Thanks to all
 
That is true - if you are complaining that the goods are not fit for purpose, you do need to give them an opportunity to cure, however the problem with saddles is that they can fit one day and then 3 weeks later the horse is fatter/lost weigh etc and suddenly the saddle no longer fits. However, if the tree is completely the wrong shape for the horse, that is a different matter.

The cynic in me suspects that the second fitter wont have a problem with the saddle ... casually mention that vet is due out to write a report if saddle does not fit - that usually gets people to change their minds.
 
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