Saddle trials

[Bellaboo18]

I'm just starting to look for a new saddle and wondering where to start...

I've always had second hand saddles, that have come with a new horse and then passed down to the next one after being fitted etc. Had a few in the tack room and something has always done the job.

I'd now like to buy one to be as close to perfect for both my mare and me. We mainly hack but do a bit of low level everything. I'd ideally like something I can trial/rent first and was thinking of a budget of about £2500 (although will look in to all suggestions).

I've had a quick look at solution saddles and also cavaletti saddles (picked up from other threads) but just wondered what everyone would recommend?

Thanks!

 

[asmp]

Get a good saddler out. Mine would measure the pony and look at you and tell you what to buy in what size and style of tree As she doesn’t stock that many, i have then gone online and found what she recommends. She would then come back out and make sure it fits, adjusting as necessary.

 

[Melody Grey]

I think (but may be wrong) that you can buy new saddles as well as second hand from places like saddles direct. Could you ask your fitter what to order and then trial them with their assistance?

Be wary of saddle fitters that only work with one brand. IME, they don’t lead to the best outcomes of what actually fits the horse, more what they sell that can be made to fit. A good saddler without a specific brand allegiance would be my recommendation.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Get a good saddler out. Mine would measure the pony and look at you and tell you what to buy in what size and style of tree As she doesn’t stock that many, i have then gone online and found what she recommends. She would then come back out and make sure it fits, adjusting as necessary.

Thanks. I spoke to my fitter this morning (he was at the yard with another customer) and he suggested having a look at what I think I might fancy and then sending him some pictures over and going from there...
Maybe that's a bit back to front.

 

[sbloom]

I think (but may be wrong) that you can buy new saddles as well as second hand from places like saddles direct. Could you ask your fitter what to order and then trial them with their assistance?

Be wary of saddle fitters that only work with one brand. IME, they don’t lead to the best outcomes of what actually fits the horse, more what they sell that can be made to fit. A good saddler without a specific brand allegiance would be my recommendation.

I've only fitted one brand for 13 years, and almost all my customers come to me once they've run out of more "usual" options as I'm a specialist, going to the generalists/independents doesn't always work. Look at reputation and reviews and think about if your issues aren't quite the normal ones, and might need a specialist.

Thanks. I spoke to my fitter this morning (he was at the yard with another customer) and he suggested having a look at what I think I might fancy and then sending him some pictures over and going from there...
Maybe that's a bit back to front.

Certainly not the way I'd go about it, almost all brands have to start with what fits the horse, there is now a move to saddles fitted more around the rider but they have a particular, and more generic, fit for the horse, and demand a level of straightness from both horse and rider. All you should be thinking about is what activities you want to do - I often talk people out of/into a different type of saddle than they thought they wanted, but if, instead of saying "I need a dressage saddle" you just let a good fitter know what you want to do, they will then pull together information such as what seat size the horse can take, your preferred position/stirrup length, how your leg sits on a particular shaped ribcage, and will then make recommendations.

For instance on a super wide ribcage if you say you want a dressage saddle it may be worth looking at something more forwards cut as you may need to ride with a slightly shorter stirrup to stop your legs rotating outwards and injury to your hips or lower back. So, know what you need to be able to DO in the saddle, and work with a knowledgeable fitter (who rides or has ridden themselves ideally) who can find what works for both of you.

 

[sbloom]

As for trial/rent, not many fitters or brands offer it for new saddles. Some stand alone brands (one that I fit does) will offer a proper 14 day ridden trial when you buy a standard saddle, or a trial on a standard style and then order a customised version. It's always advantageous if you can do this, but check the terms and conditions and ask what constitutes wear and tear, so that there are no unexpected deductions. Ultimately it's too much stock and money for us fitters to hold enough saddles to have lease ones, and unless a saddle has been fitted perfectly then it's not going to give you the same answers, so using one that's nearly right isn't the same as using the perfect saddle for you and your horse. This means two full fittings, which would be up to 5 hours time for me, for fitting two saddles, but the income for fitting one, unless we introduce hefty charges for trial/lease or the second visit.

Find a trusted saddle fitter who does what you need them to do (local independent, specialist for wide horse, specialist for custom saddles for sport horses....you get the drift), check their reviews and reputation, talk to them on the phone and see if you like what they're saying, and then see what they recommend. You may or may not get a trial, they might even take back a custom saddle if it doesn't work. Ask them.

Good luck!

 

[Bellaboo18]

I've only fitted one brand for 13 years, and almost all my customers come to me once they've run out of more "usual" options as I'm a specialist, going to the generalists/independents doesn't always work. Look at reputation and reviews and think about if your issues aren't quite the normal ones, and might need a specialist.



Certainly not the way I'd go about it, almost all brands have to start with what fits the horse, there is now a move to saddles fitted more around the rider but they have a particular, and more generic, fit for the horse, and demand a level of straightness from both horse and rider. All you should be thinking about is what activities you want to do - I often talk people out of/into a different type of saddle than they thought they wanted, but if, instead of saying "I need a dressage saddle" you just let a good fitter know what you want to do, they will then pull together information such as what seat size the horse can take, your preferred position/stirrup length, how your leg sits on a particular shaped ribcage, and will then make recommendations.

For instance on a super wide ribcage if you say you want a dressage saddle it may be worth looking at something more forwards cut as you may need to ride with a slightly shorter stirrup to stop your legs rotating outwards and injury to your hips or lower back. So, know what you need to be able to DO in the saddle, and work with a knowledgeable fitter (who rides or has ridden themselves ideally) who can find what works for both of you.

Thank you so much for your help! I must admit I was surprised my fitter (who I've been really pleased with previously) saying within reason he could fit any saddle to any horse ? Maybe like you say he's moved to fitting a saddle more around a rider.

Definitely lots to think about.

 

[sbloom]

Maybe like you say he's moved to fitting a saddle more around a rider.

I can only now do that because I've taken on a brand that has been designed around that concept, I don't know of any other brands where it's possible. I completely disagree that it's possible to fit, within reason, any saddle to any horse, even with the brand I'm talking about, they still have two types of trees depending on the shape of the horse. The whole process also starts with an assessment of, and improvement programme for, straightness of horse and rider.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I can only now do that because I've taken on a brand that has been designed around that concept, I don't know of any other brands where it's possible. I completely disagree that it's possible to fit, within reason, any saddle to any horse, even with the brand I'm talking about, they still have two types of trees depending on the shape of the horse.

And my gut would completely agree with you; you've reassured me. I actually follow you on Facebook so will pop a message across.

 

[sbloom]

And my gut would completely agree with you; you've reassured me. I actually follow you on Facebook so will pop a message across.

Make sure you find the new me, my old page and profile are dead, I lost access to them in November