Saddle Rant!!! And Advice for what to do next pls!!!

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ali87uk

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I bought my Haflinger mare last October, she came minus saddle so used my GP for a bit. Got saddle fitter out in Nov, she recommended a Wintec 16.5 wide close contact saddle...which is utter rubbish as doesn't fit at all. Got another saddle fitter out who recommended a Thorowgood 17.5 (i have long legs apparently) cob 3d wide, which I thought fitted. I have moved yards and they all say it's too narrow and doesn't fit in general. ARGH!!!
So now what do I do? I am waiting to hear back from another saddler to visit for a fitting (all the saddlers I've used have been qualified and from good tack shops).
As thorowgood and wintec don't fit (i've tried soooo many) am wondering is it best to go for a 17" XWide second hand??

Not that I'm advertising but looking to get rid of the previous 2 as they don't fit.
 
We had a similar situation with our NF gelding, who looks more like a short legged hunter!

I like Wintec's and ended up bending a wide gullet even wider, which still sat a bit high. In the end I got a 17.5" Wintec Wide and with the smallest gullet it fits him perfectly. We got the saddle s/h from ebay.
 
That sounds at the error of the saddler, could you return it? Or has your horse changed shape a lot since your last saddle?

I'd find a saddler as apose to a bog standard tack shop saddle fitter as I've heard of a few bad reports from people all of different local fitters.
 
Are any of these people at your yard, experienced, qualified fitters? No? Then why take their word for it, get another sadle fitter in to check.

Maybe you could tell us in what way they think it doesn't fit, and also photos of it on and girthed up and a video of you riding in it, in walk and trot and from behind.
 
Thanks for replies, I have been told thorowgood is too narrow despite it being a wide fit, and it rubs her shoulders. They also feel that they are sitting miles above the horse but I would think that is because saddle is brand new and hasn't settled down yet? She has also got a slight bump on her withers now.
Will get some pics tomorrow!
 
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Thanks for replies, I have been told thorowgood is too narrow despite it being a wide fit, and it rubs her shoulders. They also feel that they are sitting miles above the horse but I would think that is because saddle is brand new and hasn't settled down yet? She has also got a slight bump on her withers now.
Will get some pics tomorrow!

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Get the saddler back out and have a chat with them about your concerns. Were they a Master Saddler?
 
Yep, she was on maternity leave and fitted it as a favour (all of 3weeks ago) now her phone is off and she hasn't returned my calls!
 
My saddle fitter is also my Mctimoney Chiro and he is pretty good, don't know if you can get similar where you are? I think he is good as not only does he know how saddles fit, he knows (I think) more about horse movement/muscle etc than a conventional saddler.

I am trialling a treeless saddle on his recommendation at the mo (for dressage, still have a treed saddle for jumping) and I have to say its very comfy, once you get used to the wider seat and I am not worrying about the fit, althouh said chiro/saddler has fitted it for me to check (cos I'm paranoid) .

Treeless saddles aren't for everyone, but I am trialling one from www.bettersaddles.co.uk so may be worth a look
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Yep, she was on maternity leave and fitted it as a favour (all of 3weeks ago) now her phone is off and she hasn't returned my calls!

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So phone the saddlery place she works for - make an appointment through them, and get them back.
 
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