Saddles and Court

[Winger23man]

Saddle fit issues

I have posted before about badly fitted saddles and received some really good advice and some saddle fitters who told me I wouldn’t stand a chance and saddle fitters always win as the horses changes shape

I take no pride in taking the fitter to court as it’s not what I wanted to do however for those saddle fitters thinking you can do a shoddy job and try cover up your mess please think again. You do not always win. Today the case was ruled in my favour
What is most upsetting is the Fitter is still fitting and making mistakes and people are too inexperienced to challenge

I’m thankful for the good advice but also pleased I ignored the “put it down to experience brigade”. Yes it was stressful yes it took years to resolve but I won my case so for those that are struggling with badly fitting saddles don’t give up
For those saddle fitters who don’t give consumer contracts out you better start doing so you are breaching the law the onus is on you and liable for a £2k fine

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thanks for sharing. Good to know. A friend had a issue years ago and was to scared to proceed. Well done!

 

[Winger23man]

Thanks for sharing. Good to know. A friend had a issue years ago and was to scared to proceed. Well done!

I think the important things are
Consumer contract cancellation must be given by the trader
Complain within 6 months
Take photos
Keep message no phone calls only messsages
Insist on copies of the templates which should have spine measurements on
Don’t sign anything
Get your physio involved vet and riding instructor
Only use a qualified society of master saddle saddle fitter but please be aware they won’t deal after 6 months
Get the opinion of another saddle fitter
You will need an expert opinion from a saddle fitter who is qualified this does cost a lot the court agrees this to be split between the defendant and complainant

 

[sbloom]

Using an SMS fitter would make no technical difference to this unless the SMS actually help you in a concrete way. Perhaps they did in your case. Glad you got a resolution in your favour, I agree with the rest of your advice. And yes, I've given Ts and Cs to customers since 2013 when it became law.

 

[Winger23man]

I think it’s extremely important that the qualifications and experience count for an expert witness
The witness did help the case without a doubt. It shows how bad the saddles were and also shows that the fitter did not know what they were doing. If that report was made public it would be extremely damaging to their business. However I’m not that bitter to do that. Sadly the fitter continues to fit saddles and continues to deny they have done wrong. I just pity other people who use their services and get burnt as the fitter is very good at “talking the talk”. I’m aware they are moving to an area short of saddle fitters so they stand to increase their business. I am one of 12 people that I know of affected by them. Sadly people are too scared to challenge. Personally it wasn’t an action I wanted to take but I wasn’t prepared to let this lie
The master saddlers report is very damaging to them as a business as are the photographers I have of the saddle fit. Anyone who can flock saddles making them lumpy and asymmetrical needs radical re training yet there is no law against what havoc they cause

 

[TotalMadgeness]

Interesting. I had a saddle fitter once who fitted a saddle to my horse which damaged his withers and caused muscle wastage. My fault - I was naïve and thought the fitter was fully qualified (apparently not). Luckily a master saddler intervened and the problem was rectified. Left me out of pocket with a sore horse though. I believe this saddle fitter is still fitting too.

 

[sbloom]

I think it’s extremely important that the qualifications and experience count for an expert witness

For an expert witness yes, that's the way the system works, whatever I think of it.

 

[Winger23man]

Interesting. I had a saddle fitter once who fitted a saddle to my horse which damaged his withers and caused muscle wastage. My fault - I was naïve and thought the fitter was fully qualified (apparently not). Luckily a master saddler intervened and the problem was rectified. Left me out of pocket with a sore horse though. I believe this saddle fitter is still fitting too.

The exact example of a saddle not fit for purpose for the purpose it was intended for eg for you to ride in. We all blame ourselves me included when infact a saddle fitter worth their salt should know what they are doing as you are paying them to use due diligence and skill at selecting the right saddle for your horse and you and fitting the saddle. It makes me so mad that saddle fitters blame the horse owners when it goes wrong. Without a doubt yes there will be owners that are in the wrong. I Ve had horses over 40 years and never issues like this with saddles before this fitter or after however I only use a tried tested experienced and knowledgeable fitter

 

[SantaVera]

are you going to name the fitter OP, inorder for people to avoid.

 

[Winger23man]

At the moment I won’t publicly name them or their business until I know I can do legally. Then if I can I will publish photos and extracts from the experts report
The fitter is based in the north I would say look at fitters Facebook and reviews. This fitter has interestingly removed the ability to add reviews “I wonder why?” And when you could see the reviews there were too many bad reviews. If you private message I can say more

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Your not meant to name and shame on here.

 

[Winger23man]

That’s what I’m looking into so I don’t get caught out. The issue is that this fitter is still fitting saddles and needs to get some retraining. If more people had stood on with them they might take note but unfortunately I very much doubt in dealing with them throughout this matter they will care one jot about the injuries caused to horses as it’s all about money. People need to be aware and think very carefully before using an untrained sms fitter or indeed any fitter who claims to be qualified and approved. Research do your homework ask other clients. Unfortunately for me I knew this person and had done for a long number of years albeit we had lost contact. I had no reason to doubt their abilities when they said they fitted saddles and didn’t do my homework. They are more expensive than the sms fitter I use now and have no concerns with the saddles they provide

 

[jnb]

I would also be interested in who they are, North is a very large area - could you be more specific, please, as that isn't identifying them?

 

[Winger23man]

If you private message me I can say more but as pointed out by another you are not permitted to name and shame. If it helps they are not a member of master saddlers

 

[Dexter]

Its the Saddle Company.

 

[sbloom]

Just do your research, almost all the bad fitters have plenty of evidence online, or don't have reviews at all, I know another like that. If qualifications are important to you you can fund registered, paid up, cpd-ed members on registers, but you can't find those who have left the organisation for whatever reason. And there are other "qualifications" too. I put it in quotation marks as strictly speaking they are all various forms of accreditation, qualifications are things like nvqs and degrees, able to be offered by different organisations. I'll leave it up to 6ou guys to work out why that doesn't happen, and I'll stick with being trained by two non qualified leading lights in the industry, who still oversee my work.

 

[ycbm]

Your not meant to name and shame on here.

You can if you can do so without libelling anyone.

I have named and shamed Britannia Hotels because its a matter of record that I had a court order for them to pay me the refund they owed me.
.

 

[terrierliz]

If you private message me I can say more but as pointed out by another you are not permitted to name and shame. If it helps they are not a member of master saddlers

I’m interested in who you used but I can’t message you, please could you pm me?

 

[Winger23man]

Thanks for sharing. Good to know. A friend had a issue years ago and was to scared to proceed. Well done!

the saddle fitter in question has been challenged a number of times but run rough shod over the buyers, and then just used the tactic of ignoring them as they go away. one such buyers horse had thrown her and broken her leg and it was a saddle issue by this fitter. they were too tired and scared to take her to court

 

[Winger23man]

You can if you can do so without libelling anyone.

I have named and shamed Britannia Hotels because its a matter of record that I had a court order for them to pay me the refund they owed me.
.

I will do if I can I just want to make sure I can do

 

[Winger23man]

I would also be interested in who they are, North is a very large area - could you be more specific, please, as that isn't identifying them?

they cover lancashire and above up to newcastle

 

[Winger23man]

I can legally name Nancy Walker the northern saddle company

 

[Winger23man]

I took Nancy Walker the northern saddle company to court and won