Tihamandturkey
Well-Known Member
I have a Jeffries Falcon, I think it is also an event and I love it. It seems to fit both my horses the best out of all our saddles
So comfy too ?
I have a Jeffries Falcon, I think it is also an event and I love it. It seems to fit both my horses the best out of all our saddles
yeah just so shoddy. I can accept someone being a bit late if life has intervened but you'd expect to be kept in the loop. Round here there's one very good fitter that I would use if I had a horse I wasn't confident to sort out myself, but she is one of those fantastically disorganised people that's impossible to get hold of and always running late. Makes it very difficult for clients then.I am not sure how anyone can think being over 3 hours late with no explanation is acceptable so another potential saddler off my list! My friend is still there waiting so I'll find out in the end what time he eventually pitches up.
AE do you mind me asking who you were waiting on? I think you're fairly local to me and I only know of one male saddle fitter nearby who I'm not a fan of.
You must make sure they are master saddle fitters, they are bound by a strict set of guidelines. I'll PM you some details but as firms go locally, Village Saddlery or Crewe are the only people I will use
The only thing more to it is their abilty to assess your self doubt and how they are able to blag you into purchasing something you don't need.
Lunge in it - see if it lifts or moves. Otherwise if it looks right to you and horse says it's OK, it's OK.
Why not try thermal imaging to show the fit of a saddle
I am a semi-retired pro rider, I used to ride up to 8 horses a day in one or other of two saddles. I have never had a horse with a sore back. I have also never used a saddler (Master or otherwise) for anything other than a reflock, in consultation with me not under direction by them
Saddle fit is not rocket science, despite all the guff I overhear being directed at novice owners, anxious to "get it right" - and of course you must make sure the saddle fits. Being able to tell that your saddle fits is just another one of the skills that seem to be beyond horse owners now, like feeding, lunging, leading, loading; absolutely basic stuff.
Many of the so-called expert, qualified "Master" saddlers have received a short course and watched some videos.
This is so true. I know to be come a qualified saddle fitter with the saddle company at one point was only a day course.
Which for some people was OK but most struggled as soon as they didn't have a 'textbook' horse and rider to fit as couldn't adjust the saddle - both the tree and flocking) - to improve the situation as didn't have the experience, a few at home went this training route and very quickly ran into trouble and no longer fit saddles
Just had a thought after reading sbloom's post. When I needed to find a new trimmer for my horses I contacted the one I most liked the look of and went with her to a couple of visits to her clients - kind of shadowed her. I got to chat to her and see how she worked and then I was happy for her to come and do my horses. Perhaps that could work with finding a saddle fitter that you're comfortable with too.
I’m currently trying to find a saddle for my Connemara. I know she needs a flat rather than curved tree but how do I tell what shape the tree is when I try a saddle on her? People selling 2nd hand Saddles never know what type of tree it’s on, often the saddle doesn’t have a reference number on it so the manufacturer has no record of it. (Just for interest, Ideal only started keeping records in 2008).https://drkerryridgway.com/product/saddle-fitting-from-a-to-z-dvd/
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Sufferin...ering+in+silence+saddle&qid=1591605912&sr=8-1
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Practica...keywords=saddle+fitting&qid=1591605936&sr=8-4
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Horses-P...keywords=saddle+fitting&qid=1591605959&sr=8-9
I have all of the above and have found them really helpful over the years. I can't believe the price of them these days!! I have new versions (bought duplicates in an Amazon haze at some point) of the top two that are heading for eBay so if they're of any interest/help to you just let me know.
It's really hard to explain saddle fitting as there is no one size fits all. For every saddle that *should* fit there's a horse who doesn't like it, for every saddle that shouldn't be near a horse's back there is one that goes well in it.
The basics are tree shape. Does it fit evenly along the back with no bridging or pressure points. Where are the points of the saddle and what is the angle at the pommel. How are the panels flocked, are they even, how much of the panel surface is in contact with the horse. Does the saddle move or rock. Does it lift at the back. Where is the central point of balance. Can the scapula move freely. How does the saddle fit statically and dynamically.
Then there is fitting the rider with seat size, width of twist, position of stirrup bar, length of saddle flat, position of knee rolls etc
Blinking minefield!
The ideal solution is to find a good fitter and be able to shadow them. Obviously not the solution here since there are no "good" fitters.
Poppy Webber is a saddle fitter and you'll find her on FB/Insta. She is doing a video series about saddles and I'm sure one includes how to check the fit. If you pop her name into a search bar I'm sure it'll come up otherwise you'll find her via PeeWee saddlery.
Understand your position but in fairness if you don't ask, you don't get
What about trying one of the more modern treeless saddles? I too was fed up with saddlers after spending lots of money on saddles that didn't fit and waiting weeks for fitters to come. I now have a treeless. Still have to have a fitter to start with - and she has been excellent - but as long as you get the correct shape to start with, saddle fit is adjustable through pads and shims so any change or problem can be fixed without getting a new saddle. Mine looks like a normal treed saddle. I do everything from dressage to jumping in it - it is very stable and comfortable to ride in. I know others who event to a high level in theirs. Just a thought - certainly solved my saddle-fitting nightmare.I am not sure how anyone can think being over 3 hours late with no explanation is acceptable so another potential saddler off my list! My friend is still there waiting so I'll find out in the end what time he eventually pitches up.
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