Saddler in Kent

tonitot

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 February 2009
Messages
2,525
Location
Newmarket
Visit site
I'm looking for a good saddler in Kent to let me know what size saddle I'd need for Ethel. I've never had a saddler out before, and was wondering how much I'm likely to pay, also can you find out what size the horse needs and then find a saddle elsewhere or do you have to buy one off the saddle fitter? Sorry if this is a numpty question :o Any recommendations?
 
Alex McCracken - excellent!

Andrew Reilly - Brilliant!

Both £50-60 for fitting with flocking and pads and they both do a proper test with you riding before and after and will tell you truthfully if your saddle is unsuitable.
 
My friend's dad runs Frogpool Manor saddlery in Kent. He is a master saddler and very good!!! Not sure what they charge but you can phone and ask. Its not usually the done thing to have a saddler out to measure your horse and then buy from someone else bit of a pointless procedure really as the saddler can try different saddles on and get you to ride the horse in front of them to ensure the best fit!!!!:)
 
Thanks snopuma :)

Toffee, she's kept in Maidstone, I'm hopeless at remembering what places I'm close to :o

I don't currently have a saddle, so i'm assuming they'll have some they can try on her?
 
My friend's dad runs Frogpool Manor saddlery in Kent. He is a master saddler and very good!!! Not sure what they charge but you can phone and ask. Its not usually the done thing to have a saddler out to measure your horse and then buy from someone else bit of a pointless procedure really as the saddler can try different saddles on and get you to ride the horse in front of them to ensure the best fit!!!!:)

Thank you :) the reason I asked about getting them out and then buying from someone else is because I don't have a saddle anymore as the last one didn't fit, but I don't know what size she would need, therefore need the saddler to tell me what size. I can't afford to pay a lot for a saddle, so thought I could find out what size she'll need and then look on eBay etc to find a cheap-ish one to use for now, as I want to save up to buy her a nice one when she's finished growing.
 
Unfortunately its not quite as straight forward as finding a size, width and make that fits your horse and then buying it off ebay. The saddle will almost certainly have been adjusted/reflocked to fit the horse who had it last and so is unlikely to be a good fit for your horse. Its also a bit unfair on the saddle fitter.

Instead I would tell the saddle fitter what your budget is and ask them to bring 2nd hand saddles and synthetic ones if possible (most saddlers hold 2nd hand ones they have traded in)

There is one saddle fitter near you called Saddle World but I've never used them so couldn't vouch for them
 
Thanks 0ldmare, I can understand that now you've explained it. I don't have a big budget at all, around £100 is about all I could afford :o would any saddler have one that cheap??
 
Last edited:
Colin Schilling is at Saddle World and I find him excellent. He will watch you ride in various saddles and walk beside you whilst checking the fit of the saddle and stand behind. He is very thorough and has second hand saddles well worth a talk to him. 07752 614769
 
Am another for Colin from Saddleworld, he is brilliant, and very thorough- he was once with me for several hours just to make sure the saddle fitted perfectly. Wouldn't have anyone else.

(And wouldn't recommend Frogpool's saddler David Dyer)
 
Top