Saddle Purchase Query

[Ample Prosecco]

I have the option of buying 'full wardrobe' including 2 saddles for 1k along with Scarlett. It's a good deal as there are loads of rugs, headcollars etc. But I've got loads of stuff like that anyway. But the saddles would be very useful: They are a Thorowgood T8 jump saddle and Kent and Masters S Series dressage saddle both fitted to her when bought.

The Thorowgood does not fit that well - it slips to the right and apparently always has. The dressage saddle needs adjusting too. But both fit well enough to use now, with sheepskin numnahs and shims to keep them in place. They were the tack she came on loan with and are ok if not brilliant fit-wise. And as I say, were fitted to her when bought and have been refiited twice a year since then. So I doubt I will do much better elsewhere and could do much worse!

I think I could pick up both 2nd hand for less than 1k. But is the hassle of that worth it? When I have 2 usable saddles now. On the other hand buying 2 new saddles leaves me with 2 of Toby's to sell so the easiest all round option might be to part ex both Toby's for 2 new ones for Scarlett and save the 1k. But with all the saddle nightmare stories on here maybe turning down 2 saddles that more or less fit is silly. Toby's do not remotely fit her.

WWYD?

 

[wills_91]

Have I missed an update?! I thought she was on loan??

 

[dixie]

If it was me I think I would buy the wardrobe.
you could waste time finding other Saddles to fit and if second hand they might have problems.
You can then sort out the saddle issue once you have done a bit more with her as she might muscle up and change shape anyway. It means you can crack in now.

 

[splashgirl45]

i would take her saddles as they are ok ish if used with sheepskins etc after reading so many horror stories on here of new saddles being a problem..do you know a good saddle fitter who could advise you? if she is going well in them i would be a bit hesitant to rock the boat..

 

[Upthecreek]

I’m not really a fan of ‘making’ saddles fit with shims and sheepskins and I’m not sure I’d part with £1000 for two saddles that don’t fit particularly well. I’d be tempted to get my saddler out and see what she had that fit well before making a decision if you don’t need to say yes or no immediately. If they fit well I’d buy them without hesitation just to save the hassle, even if they are a bit over-priced.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I'd save your 1k to be honest, even if that just gets one nice saddle that fits well.

I can understand the convenience but I bet you'll end up replacing the saddles after a period anyway if they're not a great fit and I'm sure you've got plenty of rugs etc.

 

[w1bbler]

Saddles are in short supply at the moment.
2nd hand selling like mad & long waits for new. Buy the saddles & replace at your leisure. Those are both easy to sell saddles, will sell within minutes on Facebook etc.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Depends what other stuff comes with. A full set of Rambo/Premier Equine/etc turnouts and stable rugs? Then it would make it a far better deal as the outlay of buying new would be quite expensive

 

[Widgeon]

Saddles are in short supply at the moment.
2nd hand selling like mad & long waits for new. Buy the saddles & replace at your leisure. Those are both easy to sell saddles, will sell within minutes on Facebook etc.

Yes this. If they're doing an adequate job for both of you at the moment, save yourself the pain of second hand saddle hunting (particularly for something wide which yours looks to be - as I have found, saddles for wider horses are like hens teeth before you even start to consider whether a particular saddle actually fits *your* horse). I've recently spent hundreds on saddle fitter visits, saddle trials, postage and return fees for saddles that saddler recommended but didn't fit....it is a nightmare. You can always sell them on if you decide they're actually not up to the job.

Alternatively you could keep the money, accept that she's a long term investment, and cough up £2k for a lovely new saddle from someone like Andrea Hicks. This is what I would do if I had £2K (I do not).

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll get them. x

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Have I missed an update?! I thought she was on loan??

I'm buying her now! Hurrah x

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think I would be inclined to buy 1 much more decent saddle that fits her, I am not a fan of either of those brands of saddle and if they don't particularly fit very well I certainly wouldn't want them.

 

[sbloom]

I’m not really a fan of ‘making’ saddles fit with shims and sheepskins and I’m not sure I’d part with £1000 for two saddles that don’t fit particularly well. I’d be tempted to get my saddler out and see what she had that fit well before making a decision if you don’t need to say yes or no immediately. If they fit well I’d buy them without hesitation just to save the hassle, even if they are a bit over-priced.

For some horses it's the best option, as a temporary thing it's absolutely acceptable. Sheepskin absorbs shock, wicks sweat and spreads pressure, as well as providing soft tissue expansion space. As long as a saddle is fitted to accommodate it then I'm a big fan. Shims may be the perfect thing for a horse changing shape (not saying that's the case here).

Saddles are in short supply at the moment.
2nd hand selling like mad & long waits for new. Buy the saddles & replace at your leisure. Those are both easy to sell saddles, will sell within minutes on Facebook etc.

This, but the decision for everyone would be different, depends on the individuals decision making criteria. I would by them, you'll make at least a small profit, but depends whether you see the hassle as worth it.

I think I would be inclined to buy 1 much more decent saddle that fits her, I am not a fan of either of those brands of saddle and if they don't particularly fit very well I certainly wouldn't want them.

I'm no fan either but there's profit in it and if they're usable short term then they're useful.

 

[ycbm]

I wouldn't describe any saddle that slips to the right, and always had when other saddles on the horse don't, as being a good enough fit to use on the horse.

I might buy it to swap it with another that fits, but I wouldn't use it.
.

 

[sbloom]

I wouldn't describe any saddle that slips to the right, and always had when other saddles on the horse don't, as being a good enough fit to use on the horse.

I might buy it to swap it with another that fits, but I wouldn't use it.
.

If it still slips despite the shims then I agree, I wasn't sure from the post. However, not using it on the horse and buying it to sell are of course two different things.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

It slips unless you do all the things the saddler said: shims, anatomical girth, sheepskin and left hole up 1 tighter than the right. It's partly to so with how she is muscled and how she moves. Apparently.

 

[sbloom]

It slips unless you do all the things the saddler said: shims, anatomical girth, sheepskin and left hole up 1 tighter than the right. It's partly to so with how she is muscled and how she moves. Apparently.

Temporary for sure then, though I know you've already posted that you're going to buy them anyway

 

[Wheels]

It slips unless you do all the things the saddler said: shims, anatomical girth, sheepskin and left hole up 1 tighter than the right. It's partly to so with how she is muscled and how she moves. Apparently.

Do both saddles slip to the right or just the one? If it's only one then that argument doesnt stand up very well.

Either way they dont sound ideal TBH. You have all the other bits already and the saddles dont sound particularly great so I would keep the money and trade in Toby's old saddles for something else.

 

[sbloom]

Do both saddles slip to the right or just the one? If it's only one then that argument doesnt stand up very well.

Either way they dont sound ideal TBH. You have all the other bits already and the saddles dont sound particularly great so I would keep the money and trade in Toby's old saddles for something else.

It is possible for one to slip and not the other.

 

[Wheels]

It is possible for one to slip and not the other.

Well yes but if one slips to the right and the other doesn't then it can't be blamed solely on the horses musculuture, otherwise all would slip to the right, it is the relationship between the horse, saddle and rider and therefore can be improved upon.

I have no issues using shims / pad for temporary use but it sounds like this horse has already had these saddles for quite a while if they have been refitted every 6 months. Personally I would be looking for something else.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I definitely want to replace the one that slips. But at least keeping it gives me a saddle to use in the meantime which I can then trade in or sell at leisure once she is sorted with a better one. With 3 saddles to sell I should really be able to fund a good one! But thanks for the advice. It has helped me clarify my thinking. x

 

[Tiddlypom]

It is possible for one to slip and not the other.

And interestingly it can be the saddle which fits better that slips.

Do get a thorough vetting on this mare, though. Saddle slippage can indicate lameness.

 

[Wheels]

And interestingly it can be the saddle which fits better that slips.

Do get a thorough vetting on this mare, though. Saddle slippage can indicate lameness.

Good point!

 

[sbloom]

Saddle slip is part of a complex pattern of asymmetry which originates in both horse and rider, without straightening the rider it may be impossible to correct, and straightening the horse is often easiest done from the ground. Lameness is more extreme asymmetry. A better fitting saddle may or may not eliminate slippage, even when horse and rider are still crooked and yes, the worse fitting saddle may be staying still by wedging itself in place, one of the reasons that show ring saddles (ie ultra close contact show saddles) have such thin panels.

There endeth the lesson

 

[Michen]

I would be concerned re saddle slipping, it was the first sign of Bogs hock issues even before it presented as a lameness.

I'd prob just get my own fitter out for another opinion before parting with the money

 

[ycbm]

The crux for me is that one saddle slips and the other doesn't. And I would never accept being told to make the girth asymmetric to stop slipping if other saddles on the same horse with the same rider don't require that.
.

 

[sbloom]

The crux for me is that one saddle slips and the other doesn't. And I would never accept being told to make the girth asymmetric to stop slipping if other saddles on the same horse with the same rider don't require that.
.

A jump saddle may be more likely to slip than a dressage, with the shoulders having more influence. As a horse changes one may fit slightly better than the other. SO many reasons why it may be acceptable to girth one saddle asymmetrically and not the other.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Saddle slip is part of a complex pattern of asymmetry which originates in both horse and rider, without straightening the rider it may be impossible to correct, and straightening the horse is often easiest done from the ground. Lameness is more extreme asymmetry. A better fitting saddle may or may not eliminate slippage, even when horse and rider are still crooked and yes, the worse fitting saddle may be staying still by wedging itself in place, one of the reasons that show ring saddles (ie ultra close contact show saddles) have such thin panels.

There endeth the lesson

I’m still confused what does the very thin show pannel achieve?

 

[sbloom]

Sone showing people like them visually - I once had a judge come onto our trade stand and wave her finger at all our saddles and say "you see I just can't bear ALL THIS SADDLE"....and ours are hardly bulky! But in this case they have no give in them, or very very little, which can help lock them into place.