Saddle slipping forward

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daines

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I bought a horse 4 weeks ago and was having trouble getting her a saddle so decided to get a master saddle fitter out. This person is very highly regarded and I can’t find a single bad comment about her. She recommended a saddle which we bought. There are some issues with the saddle slipping forward but she had assured me it’s a mixture of needing the girth changed which I’m waiting on delivery of and the new saddle settling. I have noticed that the longer I ride the looser the girth gets and as recommended by her I’m checking the girth regularily and tightening it as needed. I’ve gone up a hole on each side during each ride. My instructor has told me this is nonsense and new saddles don’t slip if they are fitted probably and I’m being ripped off essentially. I am feeling very unsure of who to trust now. Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a normal issue with new saddles or if my instructor is right? It’s a fairly expensive saddle so I can’t afford to make a mistake but I’m really not enjoying my lessons at the moment as my instructor is making so many comments.
 
Saddles do settle & you often need a saddler back a few weeks after a new one is fitted to look at the flocking. That said your instructor has a point in that if it's slipping enough to cause issues then it sounds like a visit is needed earlier - although probably when your girth is here.
 
There are many reasons why your saddle may slip forward, a plump horse..a growing young horse..saddle initially placed too far back..horse changing shape because it’s in work..flocking settling. Tightening a girth during schooling particularly before canter or jump work is usual. Don’t give up on your saddle fitter just yet but call them back and make sure you ride in front of them for 20/30 minutes so they can see the problem developing themselves.
 
Your instructor is totally right.
A saddle either fits or it doesn’t. This one doesn’t or it would stay in the right place. Simple simple.
Having your instructor with you at saddle fittings can save a lot of time.

Your instructor is 100% correct about this saddle. Re your saddle fitter - Not all professionals are good professionals, unfortunately.
 
I would wait until the new girth arrives and you have given it a good try before complaining to the saddle fitter but then I would ask your instructor to attend a fitting session with you, ride for longer than it usually takes the saddle to slip and ask the fitter to rectify the problem.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I would wait until the new girth arrives and you have given it a good try before complaining to the saddle fitter but then I would ask your instructor to attend a fitting session with you, ride for longer than it usually takes the saddle to slip and ask the fitter to rectify the problem.
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Thank you. I was waiting four weeks for the saddle fitter to fit me in and it’s £195 a visit all follow on are virtual. In fairness to her I am in a rural location so she has a 2 hour each way commute. No other fitter nearer will call out. The saddler fitter is very highly regarded and any other fitters I’ve contacted have told me she’s the best.

My instructor does 8pm lessons in a livery stable so no option to have them there together. She is a very experienced instructor. I get the saddle for a 5 day fully refundable trial that ends tonight hence my slight panic (I’ve also paid £2000 for the saddle) so I either go back to saddle fitter to get a different saddle or chance that this saddle will work eventually.

It’s really my lack of knowledge about saddles had me paying a professional but now I’m stuck between two professional opinions and a saddle that slips.
 
daines said:
Thank you. I was waiting four weeks for the saddle fitter to fit me in and it’s £195 a visit all follow on are virtual. In fairness to her I am in a rural location so she has a 2 hour each way commute. No other fitter nearer will call out. The saddler fitter is very highly regarded and any other fitters I’ve contacted have told me she’s the best.

My instructor does 8pm lessons in a livery stable so no option to have them there together. She is a very experienced instructor. I get the saddle for a 5 day fully refundable trial that ends tonight hence my slight panic (I’ve also paid £2000 for the saddle) so I either go back to saddle fitter to get a different saddle or chance that this saddle will work eventually.

It’s really my lack of knowledge about saddles had me paying a professional but now I’m stuck between two professional opinions and a saddle that slips.
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You can reject the saddle and tell the fitter that your preference would be to place it safely at home until they can come out and confirm one way or another if it is suitable.

They may prefer to send a courier but I think you need to speak to the fitter and explain its a reject unless they can come back out.
 
If one’s saddle is slipping one gets the saddle fitter out to rectify the problem. Saddles that fit correctly don’t slip!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I think you must tell the fitter that you don't want to keep the saddle. Then leave the ball in her court.
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Agree 100%,
this is very stressful for you, but unless you could afford to ‘lose’ £2000 (it’s quite possible this would never become a good fit, no matter how much faffing about, flocking etc, and sounds like your instructor may think so), just advise the saddle fitter it doesn’t fit, isn’t suitable, you want to return & refund.
Saddler might then suggest extending trial period and waiver the call out fees to try and fix things, but a friend of mine’s daughter got caught out similarly, finished up having to keep and sell second hand (for a lot less) an even more expensive saddle.
Based on her experience and watching you two, your instructor might be able to suggest a brand and model of saddle more likely to suited - not a fitter, but she will have witnessed PLENTY of saddles, riders, fitters and issues over the years, believe me.
 
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