Flibble
Well-Known Member
I am paranoid about horses backs and saddles and to be honest I would rather have an ill-fitting bra than an ill-fitting saddle.
Saddles - does it make you cringe?
- Thread starter Silverspring
- Start date
kerilli
Well-Known Member
umm, i'd disagree with that... the example you give, Falcon Event saddles, changed hugely over the years, i was told by a master saddler. my saddle for my first horse in the '80s was a Falcon Hawk Event, i was told they were made in Walsall then, and are not now...
i know of someone (Fellow of BHS) who had his favourite saddle copied exactly by the same company who had made the first one. he never liked the second one, and nor did his horses.
i know of someone (Fellow of BHS) who had his favourite saddle copied exactly by the same company who had made the first one. he never liked the second one, and nor did his horses.
Damnation
Well-Known Member
I bought a saddle off Ebay and made sure it fitted myself. Although I had tried that exact same make and size on my horse (my friends saddle) and it fitted like a glove
And I don't trust my local saddler. She fitted my saddle so badly that my hore threw me off and I had to buy a new one because she flocked it and messed with it so much it would never fit my horse
Horse loves her saddle and so do I
And I don't trust my local saddler. She fitted my saddle so badly that my hore threw me off and I had to buy a new one because she flocked it and messed with it so much it would never fit my horse
Horse loves her saddle and so do I
JessPickle
Well-Known Member
I would consider buying a second hand saddle, however I would then get my saddle fitter to look at it for me, before riding in it.
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
the solution is surely for us all to buy second hand albions...they don't lose their value and tree can be changed to suit horse for about £200
i have to say i agree with KatB too about most of the professionals that i know- they use the same saddle on every single horse with a variation of pads underneath to suit, but thats just my experience....
i have to say i agree with KatB too about most of the professionals that i know- they use the same saddle on every single horse with a variation of pads underneath to suit, but thats just my experience....
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
Same as dealers Digger!
stacey_lou
Well-Known Member
quote ' I am paranoid about horses backs and saddles and to be honest I would rather have an ill-fitting bra than an ill-fitting saddle '
I totally agree with you.If your confident that your saddle is the correct fit youll ride wtih more confidence.
I dont see anything wrong with second hand saddles as long as they are checked out beacuse not everyone is as carefull with their property as others but personally I buy new saddles.yes they are expensive and it take a few months to afford it but Id rather be out of work for a month or 2 than to have a saddle on my horses back which could protencialy be causing back problems and have back people bills as well.
I totally agree with you.If your confident that your saddle is the correct fit youll ride wtih more confidence.
I dont see anything wrong with second hand saddles as long as they are checked out beacuse not everyone is as carefull with their property as others but personally I buy new saddles.yes they are expensive and it take a few months to afford it but Id rather be out of work for a month or 2 than to have a saddle on my horses back which could protencialy be causing back problems and have back people bills as well.
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
Yep agree with Happy, who cares so long as you have a saddler fit it for you?
stacey_lou
Well-Known Member
My jefferies Gp lost value I bought it for just under £900 and wheni got my new saddle 2 years later it was omly worth about £350 a lovely saddle but lost so much,
Well-Known Member
I agree, cant stand it myself when someone buys a new pony and then scrimps over getting a saddle that fits correctly. When my tack was stollen, I waited 3 months to have a saddle made especially as Ralph is so difficult to fit and would not dream of trying to fit one myself, even with 30 years of experience.
That said tho....I do wear ill fitting bra's
That said tho....I do wear ill fitting bra's
Silverspring
Well-Known Member
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Crikey, no offence, but you havent spoken to many serious competitors (eg pro's) then... most yards have a couple of saddles shared amongst the horses.... so they havent been fitted to "individual" horses....
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They might well have a few well borken in saddles for the horse's they get in to school or sell on but I can assure you the saddle's they put on their good horse's have been fitted. My friend who is on the Olympic team has a made to measure Amerigo saddle. Other competitor I have spoken to often discuss what saddle fitters are good and which are not, they clearly do get saddles fitted.
Crikey, no offence, but you havent spoken to many serious competitors (eg pro's) then... most yards have a couple of saddles shared amongst the horses.... so they havent been fitted to "individual" horses....
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They might well have a few well borken in saddles for the horse's they get in to school or sell on but I can assure you the saddle's they put on their good horse's have been fitted. My friend who is on the Olympic team has a made to measure Amerigo saddle. Other competitor I have spoken to often discuss what saddle fitters are good and which are not, they clearly do get saddles fitted.
Silverspring
Well-Known Member
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That said tho....I do wear ill fitting bra's
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Heehee me too! I often wonder if my girl feels quite as self conscience getting her saddle fitted as I do getting a bra fitted!
That said tho....I do wear ill fitting bra's
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Heehee me too! I often wonder if my girl feels quite as self conscience getting her saddle fitted as I do getting a bra fitted!
shadowboy
Well-Known Member
I think knowing if a saddle fits, it more down to the owner than fitter-you know if you horse doesnt feel right/isnt performing correcty or doesnt seem comfortable- the saddle fitter may not know this. There has only ever been one saddle fitter I trust and that was when in shrops- I do use them but dont quite trust them, i'll use them to help me decide but wont always just go with what they say- my intuition is much better- and saying this- my horses have never had saddle marks or bad backs!
KatB
Well-Known Member
For their "Top horses" eg Olympic horses, then yes, some will do have fitted saddles, I agree, but for a majority horses on a big yard (and this is right upto advanced eventing etc) a majority of eventers just dont have the money to have a made to measure saddle on their horses, unless they are sponsered by a saddle maker!
I have had experience with top Sjers and eventers, and know for a fact very few have a specific saddle for specific horses, with the exception to a few 4*/championship level horses. However, a lot of horses have had to compete "seriously" before getting a saddle fitted specifically for them. Infact, alot of the "fashinable" makes will happily admit they will sell the most "common" fitting saddle to riders for the use on a no. of different horses!
I have had experience with top Sjers and eventers, and know for a fact very few have a specific saddle for specific horses, with the exception to a few 4*/championship level horses. However, a lot of horses have had to compete "seriously" before getting a saddle fitted specifically for them. Infact, alot of the "fashinable" makes will happily admit they will sell the most "common" fitting saddle to riders for the use on a no. of different horses!
ace87
Well-Known Member
I always buy second hand ones. I once had a new saddle handmade for my pony by my old saddler, but once he changed shape it no longer fitted so it was a bloody great waste of money.
I buy one or two on ebay or second hand elsewhere fairly cheaply and have my best mate who is our yard saddle fitter (master saddler) come and check them. It's a good system. She also tells me when certain saddles come in to the shop and brings them to come and try.
There is NOTHING what so ever wrong with buying second hand saddles so long as they are correctly fitted - who cares who by so long as they are fitted by someone with the knowledge to do so.
A very good friend of mine who is NOT a saddler fitted my lad with his wintec, I changed the gullet from an MW to an M and he checked it out and signed it off so to speak. Next day my best mate was at the yard and I asked for her opinion. Perfect fit. He was right.
I buy one or two on ebay or second hand elsewhere fairly cheaply and have my best mate who is our yard saddle fitter (master saddler) come and check them. It's a good system. She also tells me when certain saddles come in to the shop and brings them to come and try.
There is NOTHING what so ever wrong with buying second hand saddles so long as they are correctly fitted - who cares who by so long as they are fitted by someone with the knowledge to do so.
A very good friend of mine who is NOT a saddler fitted my lad with his wintec, I changed the gullet from an MW to an M and he checked it out and signed it off so to speak. Next day my best mate was at the yard and I asked for her opinion. Perfect fit. He was right.
teddyt
Well-Known Member
What really annoys me is when people say "my horse is only on loan so im not going to get a new saddle, i'll make do with the one ive got even though its not perfect". Or "I cant afford to change my saddle so i'll make do with the one ive got even though its not perfect". This is inexcusable. Why should a horse 'make do'. I wish the people that said this would wear a pair of shoes that didnt fit and see if they can make do. The same people often wonder why their horse is nappy/stroppy/bucks etc. There is a lot more to saddle fitting than what you learn in pony club, but its a start. Even the basics are overlooked though by so many people. For example, how many people check to see the points of the tree sit behind the shoulder? You even see quite expensive horses advertised in h&h with the saddle sat on top of the shoulder blade.
Not all qualified saddle fitters are that great. The key is to find someone that, qualified or not, genuinely cares about the comfort of the horse.
Not all qualified saddle fitters are that great. The key is to find someone that, qualified or not, genuinely cares about the comfort of the horse.
Bossanova
Well-Known Member
My saddler told me at my last yearly check up that good riders can get away with minor imperfections and average riders do damage to their horses that way.
My saddles arent perfect but, in my saddler's opinion, they fit well enough to not cause my horses any dis-comfort. None were made for the horses theyre on and all were bought by me, without the aid of a saddler!!
My saddles arent perfect but, in my saddler's opinion, they fit well enough to not cause my horses any dis-comfort. None were made for the horses theyre on and all were bought by me, without the aid of a saddler!!
Vicki1986
Well-Known Member
what makes me cringe more, is seeing people ride in saddles that clearly do not fit and they wont/dont have the saddler to sort it out - or use a rubbish one who doesnt make it fit correctly. i've seen quite a few saddles 'fitted' by a saddler - mine included, and they did not fit at all !!
i would buy a 2nd hand saddle and then have it checked - yes you cant change a tree but as i have had so much saddle trouble with my mare i have a pretty good idea of what will fit or be made to with flocking, and what wont.
i would buy a 2nd hand saddle and then have it checked - yes you cant change a tree but as i have had so much saddle trouble with my mare i have a pretty good idea of what will fit or be made to with flocking, and what wont.
Tia
Well-Known Member
In answer to your question, no it doesn't make me cringe.
soph21
Well-Known Member
What I dont get is, how did they manage years ago without saddlers? they would go for hours/miles and have no problems!
I have never had a saddler out for Bear, he's only got a synthetic ATM. When I can afford a decent english leather saddle I shall have a master saddler out to do it
I have never had a saddler out for Bear, he's only got a synthetic ATM. When I can afford a decent english leather saddle I shall have a master saddler out to do it
connie1288
Well-Known Member
All i can say on this topic is the one saddle i bought from a qualified saddler with a good reputation didnt fit me or the horse. I have bought 3 saddles of ebay and all fitted fine. What you have to remember i think is that by the time you have thick numnahs, pads etc etc, the fit of the saddle to a horse by a saddler who uses non of the above is immaterial, to use the example of bra fitting, its not going to be the same fit if you wear it over your t shirt. As long as horse and rider can perform then im not fussed about paying for a saddler.
PapaFrita
Well-Known Member
We don't have the luxury of saddle-fitters in Argentina so I have to 'fit' the saddle myself. No problems so far with A or PF.
PapaFrita
Well-Known Member
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I have yet to meet one serious (and successful) competitor that does not get saddle fitted professionally. And these are people who could spot more errors in saddle fitting that your average horse person.
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Clearly you've never been to Argentina. We do have a few very successful riders here you know
I have yet to meet one serious (and successful) competitor that does not get saddle fitted professionally. And these are people who could spot more errors in saddle fitting that your average horse person.
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Clearly you've never been to Argentina. We do have a few very successful riders here you know
D
Donkeymad
Guest
QR
Actually, there are quite a few comments in this thread that make me cringe.
Ther are a lot of bad saddle fitters, but there are also a lot of fantastic ones. Many people who think they can fit a saddle, can't. YO's often do not know if a saddle fits correctly.
There is absolutely no need to buy new, as long as you buy a saddle and get it checked out. Many pro's have badly fitting saddles. Synthetics need fitting the same as leather. Saddles of the same make and model do not both necessarily fit the same horse, differences occur during manufacture and, with second hand, with usage and adjustments made during it's life. Horses shapes can change throughout the year, every year.
To top it off, too many people think they need a Master saddler, they don't, they need a saddle FITTER.
*slips off soapbox*
Actually, there are quite a few comments in this thread that make me cringe.
Ther are a lot of bad saddle fitters, but there are also a lot of fantastic ones. Many people who think they can fit a saddle, can't. YO's often do not know if a saddle fits correctly.
There is absolutely no need to buy new, as long as you buy a saddle and get it checked out. Many pro's have badly fitting saddles. Synthetics need fitting the same as leather. Saddles of the same make and model do not both necessarily fit the same horse, differences occur during manufacture and, with second hand, with usage and adjustments made during it's life. Horses shapes can change throughout the year, every year.
To top it off, too many people think they need a Master saddler, they don't, they need a saddle FITTER.
*slips off soapbox*
Araminta
Well-Known Member
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Its all very well to have a saddle "made to measure" however most people dont take into account that the saddle is made to fit the horse on the day it was measured. It doesnt mean it will still fit the horse 12 months down the line.
I agree with the OP - lots of people buy a 17.5" saddle to fit them and the pony is 14.2hh. It isnt going to fit and I dont need to see any pics to prove it.
I think even worse is the helpful YO ... I cant count the number of times I have seen poorly fitting saddles which are ok because the YO has said their saddle fits anything - its magic.
Although I think the other side of the story is the multitude of bad or unqualified saddle fitters out there who will sell anyone anything ... they really dont do much to inspire confidence in the owner.
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I agree but I aslo know of Qualified saddle fitters who are just after selling as many new saddles as possible, as one of them told me the other day - its dog eat dog out there nowadays!
Its all very well to have a saddle "made to measure" however most people dont take into account that the saddle is made to fit the horse on the day it was measured. It doesnt mean it will still fit the horse 12 months down the line.
I agree with the OP - lots of people buy a 17.5" saddle to fit them and the pony is 14.2hh. It isnt going to fit and I dont need to see any pics to prove it.
I think even worse is the helpful YO ... I cant count the number of times I have seen poorly fitting saddles which are ok because the YO has said their saddle fits anything - its magic.
Although I think the other side of the story is the multitude of bad or unqualified saddle fitters out there who will sell anyone anything ... they really dont do much to inspire confidence in the owner.
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I agree but I aslo know of Qualified saddle fitters who are just after selling as many new saddles as possible, as one of them told me the other day - its dog eat dog out there nowadays!
SpruceRI
Well-Known Member
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Actually - I very much agree with this.......I have seen people on here writing about the crap service they have got from so-called saddle fitters who have just caused problems or made problems even worse, seem to be in it for the money and are allied to one particular saddler or brand of saddle only.....fair enough if your horse is particularly odd shapped or you have a specific problem, get help/advise....but in my view you are no more likely to get a great fit from a so-called ''professional' than you are doing it youself......
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And I agree with this as one of my horses suffered wearing an ill fitting saddle by a Master Saddler and supposed SMS Trained Saddle Fitter who came back 3 times and told me that that saddle did fit when I didn't think it did. Well it didn't, and it crippled my horse.
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Actually - I very much agree with this.......I have seen people on here writing about the crap service they have got from so-called saddle fitters who have just caused problems or made problems even worse, seem to be in it for the money and are allied to one particular saddler or brand of saddle only.....fair enough if your horse is particularly odd shapped or you have a specific problem, get help/advise....but in my view you are no more likely to get a great fit from a so-called ''professional' than you are doing it youself......
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And I agree with this as one of my horses suffered wearing an ill fitting saddle by a Master Saddler and supposed SMS Trained Saddle Fitter who came back 3 times and told me that that saddle did fit when I didn't think it did. Well it didn't, and it crippled my horse.
missimi
New User
Hi guys!
Having read this thread back, i have to say that i am quite shocked at the level of ignorance about saddle fitting out there!
I think that it is one of the most important and significant things that you, as a responsible horse owner and rider, can do for your horse.
It is very difficult to get it right, and i wholeheartedly agree that there are some so-called "master saddlers" that are not good at all. You have to try to find a qualified saddle fitter that has trained and qualified in more recent times, as they seem to be the ones who have a better understanding of equine science and anatomy.
I also know only too well that it is difficult when money is tight, but it is a false economy to use an ill fitting saddle and have to then correct loss of performance and even worse, physical injury, often resulting in bad behaviour.
As someone who specialises in rehabilitation and reschooling problem horses, i cannot tell you how much of my work is because of ill fitting saddles!
Put it another way, would you be able to run a marathon in a pair of shoes that were two sizes too small for you???!
You need to ideally find a saddler that will take into account not only the size, shape and workload of the horse, but also the size and shape of the rider.
It is possible to find good quality, reasonably priced made to measure saddles on the internet, so long as you look in the right place!
I use a guy called Matt Marlow from the heritage saddle company. He is fantastic, and better customer service you will not find! Give him a call and it could just be the best phone call you could make! (or visit his ebay shop!)
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Heritage-Custom-made-saddles-Tack_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm
Make sure your best friend is comfortable, and enjoys the ride as much as you do!
Please guys, think about it! Does your horse really need all those lovely fluffy pink rugs and bandages, or would you be better investing the money in a properly fitting saddle??
Having read this thread back, i have to say that i am quite shocked at the level of ignorance about saddle fitting out there!
I think that it is one of the most important and significant things that you, as a responsible horse owner and rider, can do for your horse.
It is very difficult to get it right, and i wholeheartedly agree that there are some so-called "master saddlers" that are not good at all. You have to try to find a qualified saddle fitter that has trained and qualified in more recent times, as they seem to be the ones who have a better understanding of equine science and anatomy.
I also know only too well that it is difficult when money is tight, but it is a false economy to use an ill fitting saddle and have to then correct loss of performance and even worse, physical injury, often resulting in bad behaviour.
As someone who specialises in rehabilitation and reschooling problem horses, i cannot tell you how much of my work is because of ill fitting saddles!
Put it another way, would you be able to run a marathon in a pair of shoes that were two sizes too small for you???!
You need to ideally find a saddler that will take into account not only the size, shape and workload of the horse, but also the size and shape of the rider.
It is possible to find good quality, reasonably priced made to measure saddles on the internet, so long as you look in the right place!
I use a guy called Matt Marlow from the heritage saddle company. He is fantastic, and better customer service you will not find! Give him a call and it could just be the best phone call you could make! (or visit his ebay shop!)
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Heritage-Custom-made-saddles-Tack_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm
Make sure your best friend is comfortable, and enjoys the ride as much as you do!
Please guys, think about it! Does your horse really need all those lovely fluffy pink rugs and bandages, or would you be better investing the money in a properly fitting saddle??