saddler- should i complain?

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kombikids

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just had local saddle fitter out to check new horses saddle - she put the saddle on her back i told her it felt like it was slipping to the left when i rode and also that the old owner said it needed reflocking.She put it on restuffed it slightly and then charged me £45. My YM was present and said that i should stop the cheque as she didnt even girth up the saddle or see the horse move in it and that if I dont get it sorted the sliupping to the left thing could make her more sore.

So what do i do - do i ring and complain? ( ihate doing that am too nice)
 
well, every saddler i've ever used has insisted on seeing the saddle girthed up and ridden in. it has to fit while the horse is moving... it could fit a stationary rocking horse!
i'd ring her and explain before you stop the cheque.
 
Where abouts are you?

Is she a master saddler, or a fitter?

There is one saddler in Cornwall who sounds exactly like this.

That service is unacceptable and I think you should make her aware of that, but I am not sure who else you could complain to as if she isn't a registered fitter then she won't have a regulatory body.
 
I think there are two schools of thought:

some people think that saddles should be fitted stationary

others think that they should be fitted ridden

Having said that, it doesn't sound like this saddler did a very good job even for the stationary fitting. I do think you need to call her first and let her know you are unhappy and I expect the Master Saddlers' Guild would want you to try this first before they took up a complaint. Realistically it might be safer and faster to just get another saddler out.
 
In the first instance you should really call the saddle fitter back and tell her you are unhappy and why. If saddle fitter does not use a correct procedure (saddle must be ridden in) on this visit, then contact the SMS
 
update!

ok i rang her boss who i have had out before - explained what a lovely girl she is and that my instructor was worried that the saddle would still move. Then spoke to master saddler assoc who guessed who it was (weird) and said that they would be happy to take up a complaint - which i didnt want them to do - they were also abit worried about my experiance and also thought it was useful feedback..


anyway girls boss coming out monday - who does have a good reputation - and she has asked me to ride in front of her so hopefully mission achieved|!
 
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