Saddler recommendation serving S Wales?

Scruff

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My mare needs a new saddle, but I've never used a saddler in this area before, can anyone recommend a saddler/fitter who serves south Wales (between Cardiff and Bridgend)?

Any advice or experiences very much appreciated
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Try Huw R Thomas
35, Commercial St, Kenfig Hill, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF33 6DH
Tel: 01656 740391

He is very good, used him to fit saddles and he has brought them back off us
 
I would only trust and use Llwynon saddlery in Brecon. Graham Butt is a master saddler who knows what he is doing. The only drawback is that you have to travel to him. If you want the best for your horse then go there. I have experienced other saddlers in the area and have been very disappointed with the results
 
I've heard that name before, but don't have any transport just yet - plus baby horse is a bit of an unreliable loader at present, so travelling to a fitter is a no-no for the time being
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join the club i.e the unpredictable loaders , just lucky my horse was 2 minutes away to be broken so she cud have her saddle done
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def. try Huw he's been out to us a few times and ive had no probs with him , just make sure you know what you want
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Llwynon is lovely but I'm in the same position as you in that I have not got transport.

I've used Huw and was totally happy with the saddle I got. People on my old and current yard use him and we're hoping to have him down again soon to check all our saddles.
 
I have used Huw Thomas for the last 14 years and can wholeheartedly recommend him. If in any way you are not happy with the saddle, he will change it no problem. Most of the people on my yard have used Huw and have never encountered a problem. I spoke to him yesterday and know that he cant come to me for two weeks as he has so much work on.
 
Ok, so seeing as Huw seems to be wholeheartedly recommended by so many, and is very close, what sort of money would I be looking at with him? I'm after a secondhand, not very expensive (mare is rising 5 and still changing shape), probably WH, and preferably leather saddle.

Can anyone give me a ballpark figure I should be setting aside?
 
Best thing to do is phone him and ask what saddles hes got and roughly what price. AS his prices depend on the saddle, he has got a shop (got a big horse's head outside), so go and have a look. Got a really nice working hunrter saddle from him a few years ago, put can't remember the price
 
Ive always found him to be EXPENSIVE. But then you never know ask the right questions get the right answer. But put it this way I rang him for a bog standard show jacket once around £40 - he told me the cheapest he sold was £80.
ARGH lol
 
The two saddles I have bought from him I told him how much I had to spend and that was what they cost me. I had to wait about 6 weeks for him to get one in and came in budget but fairplay, it was as much as I was able to pay. Same with my DR saddle. Told him my budget and he had one that was perfect.
Should have said- the 6 week wait was because he is an awkward shape
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(or was I should add!)
 
Has everybody travelled to him? I'm in mid wales but without my own transport. dread to think of the additional cost of hiring a box to get to brecon!
 
No, I've not travelled to him and i'm in mid Wales - he makes about a 2.5 hour trip to us but does tend to see about 4-7 each visit. And it takes some negotiation to get a date that works but usually 2-4 weeks notice. Sometimes less if his diary gets a space in.
 
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