Saddlers - do they ever agree?

[LVVOVM24]

Hi everyone,

I’m honestly at my wits’ end. Over the past couple of years, I’ve worked with five different saddlers for different horses — and not once have they agreed on the right saddle.

Every time, they point out issues with the current saddle and the end recommendation always seems to be… “buy a new saddle.” I’ve had a saddle described as the “perfect fit for both me and my horse” one week, only to have another saddler tell me a few weeks later that it’s the “wrong shape completely.” I’ve had others that are fully adjustable written off.

It’s exhausting — and expensive - these are not cheap saddles. I just want to do what’s right for my horses, and I need to be comfortable and balanced so I’m not causing any issues for them. But when every expert gives you a different answer, you start to wonder: is there even a standard for this, or is everyone just interpreting things their own way?

I know plenty of people who use the same saddle on multiple horses without any issues. Meanwhile, I’m trying so hard to get the perfect fit, and it feels like I’m going in circles.

Is it just me? Has anyone else experienced this? It’s not sustainable!

 

[SpeedyPony]

The trouble is saddle fitting (at least from what I can tell) is as much an art as it is a science. There are multiple different schools of thought as to how a saddle should be fitted, compound that with saddlers specialising in certain types of horse or saddle brands and add in the horse's opinion (as what constitutes a 'good' saddle fit is to some extent influenced by their preferences) and you have a very subjective problem!
I've found the best way is to find a saddler whose fitting is well received by the horse and ensure that any future fittings are carried out by them. It's not always easy to find that saddler though, you have my sympathy on that score.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Be guided by the horse and your own feelings - you know whether you are comfortable and balanced surely? You will certainly know which saddle the horse goes best in.

 

[Cragrat]

Nope, saddlers don't agree, but you defintely need to listen to your horse.

However, try and have the saddle on trial long enough to ensure that any improved movement/way of going is sustained. Sometimes a change of saddle from one ill fitting saddle, to one which is still ill fitting but in a different way, can fool you. The horse may be so relieved that his previous uncomfortable area no longer hurts, that it takes a while for the new area of discomfort to register.

 

[Kaylum]

A friend had the same issue. 4 different saddle fitters as she knew the horse wasn't happy. She even had one made which was totally wrong. It was fitted and wasn't right. Luckily she got her money back. Her physio was with her when it was fitted and agreed it wasnt right.

The saddle fitter she has now is very good and very patient and highly recommend in the area.

Always check the t&c and invoice make sure you are given them in writing and signed by both parties.

 

[Curly_Feather]

My secret has been to find a saddle fitter who is not a rep for a particular brand, and who LISTENS to me. We don't always agree 100%, but she has been working with me and my horse for about 15 years. A fitter that works for a particular brand, even if they've got impressive qualifications, will nearly always find a magically fitting saddle of that brand.

 

[Abacus]

I'm one of those people who use one saddle (well, three) on two horses. I have a GP, a jump and a dressage saddle. Actually, I do have another GP for the old boy (a different horse) who is definitely narrower.

I seem to have acquired - none of them new - three good saddles that are the type that fit a good range of horses. An Ideal Suzannah dressage, Butet jump and a very ordinary Barnsby GP. I've had a number of instructors (not saddlers) look at them all and agree they look ok - of course this doesn't qualify as a proper check. I've been so stung by saddlers who try to sell stuff or make to measure (and what I've seen them do to other people) I can't really be bothered any more except for flocking. Not to discredit all saddlers of course, I'm just a bit old fashioned (regarding chucking the same saddle on everything) and also wary of their sales tactics.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

You definitely are not on your own and I miss the business I knew and trusted for over ten years. Trust your instinct and the way your horse reacts and take advice with a pinch of salt.

 

[teddy_]

I found an excellent saddler. She’s a fitter for WOW and a SMS qualified 25+ years, but she simply doesn’t try sales tactics if WOW isn’t what you want (or can afford).

She is black and white, yes or no. I have a saddle that I wanted checking and she just said, nope, nothing wrong - it’s fine . I have just bought an Albion DR saddle and she went over and above to speak with Albion about the saddle before I paid any money. All she is getting out of this is a fitting fee.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, find someone who isn’t simply a salesperson and just wants happy rider + happy horse.

Until recently, I’ve been sceptical about saddlers, because I’ve heard a lot of stories like your own - and I’d never had many fitting issues (all mine have been a similar type). But finding this saddler has swayed me!

 

[Baywonder]

Oh the never ending saga of saddles!

Sorry to be pedantic, but Saddlers make saddles (and do in some cases fit them too) and saddle fitters do just that - fit them.

Big brands very often have 'Reps' as opposed to true saddle fitters, and for them the emphasis is usually the money in the till. I have said this time and time again - saddles with an eye watering price tag usually have an eye watering profit too. Big advertising , overheads, sponsored riders....it all ends up going on the cost of your saddle. Believe me, these prices are nothing short of daylight robbery! No saddle is worth a £4k + price tag.

'Fully adjustable' saddles - again these have been cleverly marketed to be the answer to everyone's saddle fitting nightmares. Except they are not. Whilst they do work for some horses, they only adjust the front, and not the rest of the tree / flocking.

Some saddle fitters attend a course run by some companies for a couple of days, and they walk away with a certificate saying they are qualified. Others train with different organisations for years. Some fitters are not members of any organisation, but have years of experience and satisfied customers behind them.

Almost all of them have different ways of fitting. Do your homework. Ask for word of mouth recommendations as well as written reviews.

Ask questions. Lots of them.

There is no one single answer to this issue I'm afraid. I hope you get sorted soon.

 

[ycbm]

This is why, along with the freedom they give the horses shoulders, I ended up going for WOW air filled modular saddles and fitting my own. It saved me an absolute fortune with young and multiple horses.
.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I think I’m lucky like Teddy (maybe we have the same saddler!) mine likes wow the best, I asked her recently, and it works brilliantly for mine as we’re able to change various parts as he has changed over the years but she’s happy to fit traditional saddles too. No sales ploy and I got a really good price secondhand wow saddle from her originally well within my budget. My horse is usually quite clear on what he likes and even when she doesn’t agree with him(!) she will find a way to make sure he’s happy and it’s fits him! Her expertise is invaluable. It’s a bloody nightmare, you have my sympathy OP.
ETA the other thing with wow is that I have the gauge so I can check any changes and I’m also keen to go on their course they do for owners so we can be more self sufficient.(although with my horse and his weird opinions I’m not sure how useful it will be for me!)

 

[LVVOVM24]

It’s really reassuring to know I’m not the only one going through this! I’ve even tried the ‘made to measure’ route, and ironically, that was the worst experience of all. The saddle felt totally unbalanced, the horse clearly wasn’t comfortable, and yet I was being told it was a ‘perfect fit.’ I rejected it instantly and was made to feel like a terrible person!

I did find a saddle I really liked a few months ago, but after some time, I knew it needed adjustments. Then another saddler told me I needed a completely new saddle!

I’m very aware of sales techniques, but the hard part is that a lot of them come across as very genuine — and maybe they truly believe what they’re saying — but when the solution is always a new saddle (and conveniently one they happen to have in stock), it’s hard not to see that as a red flag. I only use reputable saddlers and try to get multiple opinions, but that’s tricky too because I end up getting completely conflicting advice!

 

[HopOnTrot]

I’ve had 4 different master saddle fitters who all agree.

 

[cremedemonthe]

As an old school saddler who includes saddle fitting now and again in that title I can agree on this. I mainly do second opinion fittings these days as I have arthritis in my hands and can't do the all day saddle fitting and flocking on site I used to. I was literally doing several a day on site in my hey day.
The main thing is the comfort of the horse, that's my priority and the best saddle fitter in the world is the horse itself. When I'm out on site I always go through what I am doing and more importantly why, it gives the owners who aren't experienced in fitting saddles an insight into what I am trying to achieve and helps them look for problems in the future. It might take a long time especially if you have a nervous horse but patience and gentleness does pay off. I'm paid to do a job as a whole not by the hour and I'm going to do that job as well as I can whether it takes 1 hour or 5..
I've been in the trade now 38 odd years but still learning that's another thing, find a saddler who's not complacent!
I've learnt a lot about horses from the owners, it's a 2 way thing there are far more experienced horse women and men out there than I am after all.
I don't sell saddles, just check them over for people are are not sure if it's right or not.
I have seen some hard sell over the years, narrowed down channels on saddles for instance can be opened up 99% of the time saving a HELL a lot of money. I used to do that on site too but some saddle fitters or saddlers have just dismissed it and said you need a new saddle. Always try to work with what you have got is my answer, if the horse was happy in the saddle before it started reacting to it and you were happy then it makes sense to me to try to sort it out.
Once you find a saddler or saddle fitter that you can work with and the horse is happy with, stick with them as long as you can it's like finding a GOOD honest builder, you stay with them!
I'll send you an article op off my website about what happens (when I do it that is) when a saddle is fitted. It might help.
I hope you find one of us you can get some good results from, Oz - (Saddler since 1988)

 

[Equi]

They can have an opinion that doesn’t necessarily mean they are not agreeing. My last saddle wasn’t 100% for us, I felt it. My saddler did what he could but he didn’t quite pick up that I was wanting a new saddle. I got a new saddle fitter who had a particular brand I wanted to try and she said “I can see why he has done what he has done, and if I was fitting this saddle I would do the exact same things - but a different saddle will fit you both more accurately”

 

[KatieDM]

Could it sometimes be a case of “too many cooks”? Lots of conflicting opinions can’t be helpful for you. You’re doing the right thing in making sure horse is comfortable, of course.

 

[Ambers Echo]

I have literally just had this. The saddler I have used for years, and trusted, gave a clean bill of health to Myka's saddle before she went for backing. Joe and Sophie's saddler says it does not fit AT ALL. And that's without anyone even sat in it. It's just far too wide fullstop. Which makes sense as it used to be Lottie's but I was reassured it was fine.

I'm buying a new one as she seems to hate it anyway too. But why why why! I mean how hard can it flipping well be!

 

[Ambers Echo]

Incidentally I was reassured that the saddle was not uncomfortable for her - nice and level on her back. But it was so wide that if you put any weight in it the back would lift and the rider be tipped forward. No-one has ever yet ridden her in that one given her distrust of it, which is a relief.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It is difficult, my trusted saddler who did a wonderful job for a few years fitting the very difficult horse I had at the time, fitted two saddle to Dex that he ended up protesting to. That doesn't mean she's suddenly a bad saddler, just that she didn't get along with the way Dex liked to be fitted to. Now I have one who works with a saddlery that does lots of brands too and she's fab! Although Dex is always terribly behaved in the ridden portion, it's very odd.

 

[cremedemonthe]

There seems to be some misunderstanding about the saddlery trade .
A TRUE saddler will be trained to design, make and fit/flock all saddlery whether it's a saddle, bridle, a roller, a headcollar a bit, a pair of spurs or a rug the whole lot.
Some people who have then gone on to just make saddles or bridle or rugs has chosen to specialise in that area but it does not mean that they haven't been trained to do everything else.
Always ask them what their back ground and experience is. Where did they train?
I often see other saddlers websites and in their "about me" section no mention of training which to me rings alarm bells but that could just be me, I have even asked them via an email as joe Public but often get no response now doesn't that tell you something.
Who ever you use, make sure they come with recommendations of your friends or fellow yard liveries.

 

[scats]

I’ve had a nightmare with saddles and saddle fitters. I’ve lost thousands on made to measure saddles that weren’t suitable.
Finally landed on a saddle that fits me and Millie and, for the first time ever, doesn’t slip. And it was not even made to measure.

 

[Marigold4]

I too had no end of trouble finding a saddle to fit my young horse. I had several saddle-fitters out, none of whom had a saddle that fitted, but I got the general gist of what he needed. I educated myself about saddle fit until I understood why he needed this type of saddle. Then I bought that kind of saddle secondhand on ebay and tried it. If it didn't fit/he didn't like it, I sold it on ebay and bought another. Doing it this way meant I could have as much time as I liked with each saddle before making a decision. Eventually I found a saddle tree that fitted and sent it to the manufacturer to have it reflocked and checked over. I have a saddle pad with 6 pockets and so can play with the fit myself.

 

[Red-1]

I have found that they are tricky until they are around 7 years old. Once they strengthen up and lift, suddenly they are easier to fit.

I think that before that, there is always a compromise. All you can do is work to make the rider balanced and the horse comfortable.

I usually get through 4 saddles in those years. Then have one that lasts the rest of that horse's life.

And then there is Rigs, who wears any of 4 saddles we have on the place. No, they don't fit the same but also no, he doesn't seem to care! Rigs is 20. Back is unmarked. Physio and vet says all is well too.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Does any pro ever agree with another pro?

 

[marmalade76]

I too had no end of trouble finding a saddle to fit my young horse. I had several saddle-fitters out, none of whom had a saddle that fitted, but I got the general gist of what he needed. I educated myself about saddle fit until I understood why he needed this type of saddle. Then I bought that kind of saddle secondhand on ebay and tried it. If it didn't fit/he didn't like it, I sold it on ebay and bought another. Doing it this way meant I could have as much time as I liked with each saddle before making a decision. Eventually I found a saddle tree that fitted and sent it to the manufacturer to have it reflocked and checked over. I have a saddle pad with 6 pockets and so can play with the fit myself.

I've done this too.

 

[AandK]

I have to be honest, I haven't found this is the case so I must be lucky. Got a 'new' (to me, second hand) saddle for my horse just under 3yrs ago. Had it checked by the saddler that had been using for a few years, all good. Needed a few minor adjustments the following 2 visits. Horse happy, and he is one to be quite vocal when something is not right. I decided to try a new saddler this year and was slightly apprehensive, wondering if they were going to tell me I needed a new saddle, but agreed it was a good fit, only recommending it be reflocked as the flocking was getting hard in places.

 

[Identityincrisis]

As others have said, saddle fitting is very subjective and there are different theories and ways of fitting, you ultimately have to find someone who’s fitting and values meet yours. I have found someone who fits using the Balance concept, for years i didn’t agree with it (i didn’t understand it) but I asked several professionals of other professions who they would recommend and her name came up consistently, so when I decided I needed a new set of eyes and opinions I asked her to come out.

I was very happy with the results and progress of my horse. I got a new (but highly qualified) physio out to my horse, we were chatting about things and he asked who fitted my saddle, i told him, ahhhhh yes, balance, i don’t like that method, there’s nothing wrong with your horses back though. Obviously, i was interested in his opinion so asked who he recommended, when he told me, i was very shocked as i knew horses who were fitted by this fitter and EVERY SINGLE ONE had muscle atrophy behind its shoulders. I decided there and then if that is what the physio defined as a good fitter then i wouldn’t be using him as a physio again. I later found out the physio and fitter are good friends

Trust your gut, listen to your horse

 

[LVVOVM24]

Oh the never ending saga of saddles!

Sorry to be pedantic, but Saddlers make saddles (and do in some cases fit them too) and saddle fitters do just that - fit them.

Big brands very often have 'Reps' as opposed to true saddle fitters, and for them the emphasis is usually the money in the till. I have said this time and time again - saddles with an eye watering price tag usually have an eye watering profit too. Big advertising , overheads, sponsored riders....it all ends up going on the cost of your saddle. Believe me, these prices are nothing short of daylight robbery! No saddle is worth a £4k + price tag.

'Fully adjustable' saddles - again these have been cleverly marketed to be the answer to everyone's saddle fitting nightmares. Except they are not. Whilst they do work for some horses, they only adjust the front, and not the rest of the tree / flocking.

Some saddle fitters attend a course run by some companies for a couple of days, and they walk away with a certificate saying they are qualified. Others train with different organisations for years. Some fitters are not members of any organisation, but have years of experience and satisfied customers behind them.

Almost all of them have different ways of fitting. Do your homework. Ask for word of mouth recommendations as well as written reviews.

Ask questions. Lots of them.

There is no one single answer to this issue I'm afraid. I hope you get sorted soon.

Agrees with all of that, I go into saddle fittings with eyes wide open and I would describe myself as a reasonably intelligent customer . I’ve actually been using master saddlers who are “independent” and carry multiple brands - I avoid reps for the reason’s you describe above. However even independent saddlers in many ways are still reps but for multiple brands - profit margins will be high but not quite so eye watering as the big brands with their own reps.

As others have said, saddle fitting is very subjective and there are different theories and ways of fitting, you ultimately have to find someone who’s fitting and values meet yours. I have found someone who fits using the Balance concept, for years i didn’t agree with it (i didn’t understand it) but I asked several professionals of other professions who they would recommend and her name came up consistently, so when I decided I needed a new set of eyes and opinions I asked her to come out.

I was very happy with the results and progress of my horse. I got a new (but highly qualified) physio out to my horse, we were chatting about things and he asked who fitted my saddle, i told him, ahhhhh yes, balance, i don’t like that method, there’s nothing wrong with your horses back though. Obviously, i was interested in his opinion so asked who he recommended, when he told me, i was very shocked as i knew horses who were fitted by this fitter and EVERY SINGLE ONE had muscle atrophy behind its shoulders. I decided there and then if that is what the physio defined as a good fitter then i wouldn’t be using him as a physio again. I later found out the physio and fitter are good friends

Trust your gut, listen to your horse

Yes! I’ve also had this as well physio and saddler referrals to each other. Turns out they were both useless.

 

[rara007]

No, they always have to dig at the previous too..!