The issue of saddlers in Cornwall

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almrc

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What do you think of the the issue of saddlers/saddle fitters (or lack of) in Cornwall? Is there someone you always rely on or have you always had problems with specific saddlers? What do you think could be done to resolve this issue? And what do you look for in a saddler?
 
I have not used a saddler for the past 3 yrs, when we broke our youngster I bought a wintec which our instructor checked on him and was happy with the fit, since then i have bought a bates momentum and isabell which again, have been checked by my daughters instructors. Both fit really well.
I think several of the saddlers in Devon/Somerset will travel and I suppose if a group could be got together it would share the expense of the travelling. I think the problem is as usual being in cornwall! It is not a big enough customer base, there is a huge amount of travelling to get out of county and few people can afford to carry the huge amount of stock required. Not sure what the answer is though, anyone can call themselves a saddle fitter but few are qualified, to become a qualified saddler takes 3-4 yrs and a master saddler 7, so its a fairly long process.
 
But really, shouldnt there be someone good down here hence not having to get people to travel? Like you say I guess it is because we are out on that limb
 
TBH I think its disgusting, I mean there are the odd few that I would trust but a lot of that is because I have a pretty good idea of what I am looking for and what suits my horse. However if I want to get a saddle fitted I have to say I now look out of county, I know the makes I like and I know who I like to fit them. There is a distinct lack of 'specialists' in Cornwall which has always amazed me for the amount of horses down here, but I think the general culture is different down here.
 
Thanks queen bee, thats kind of what I thought myself but just wondered others opinions too. So its not just me then!
 
I am new to this Horsey game, being a dad who has a wife and daughters now actively looking for horses! Hence the new Groom name.

I wonder if the problem is that businesses in Cornwall are really struggling to survive financially, as there is so much competition up country. As has rightly been said, there are horses galore here in Cornwall, and lots of shows too, but its interesting to see a lot of exhibitors are from Devon and beyond. Perhaps there is too much of a reliance on generalist farm shops here who have buying power to sell everyday items cheaper, which Equestrian supply shops would normally sell day to day as bread and butter business so they could afford to do the more specialist tasks. Its a shame, I think you almost need a more business like approach to a horse business here, rather than one that is from a love of the animal. Also there seem to be more saddles now appearing which are made without tree's meaning less expert fitting, perhaps this is the way to go?

Lloyd (soon to be a horse widower)
 
I've been using Bridget 'o' Meara ( Truro area ) to fit saddles for mine for about six years now and always found her really good . My mate has recently had a saddle completely re-flocked by her which was perfectly done. She sells new and good quality second hand leather saddles and will also measure up for tailor made. She knows her stuff and is always very professional about her work. A friend of mine won a beautiful in-hand showing bridle made by her , her leather work is second to none.
 
almrc said:
What do you think of the the issue of saddlers/saddle fitters (or lack of) in Cornwall? Is there someone you always rely on or have you always had problems with specific saddlers? What do you think could be done to resolve this issue? And what do you look for in a saddler?
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Hi, there is a brilliant saddler in Cornwall, Michaela McNeil she is a Master saddler and a Qualified saddle fitter. I wouldn’t use any one who is not qualified on my horses, thier comfort is very to important to me. I found Michaela very thorough she explained everything she was doing so now I feel more informed my self. She re-flocked my saddle so well, I can feel my horses moving better. I found her details on the Master saddler web site. Diana....
 
I agree with Paddy Irish and would unreservedly recommend Bridget O'Meara. She has looked after all our horses/saddles for the last ten years plus and we have never had a single problem with their backs due to saddles in that time. In fact I would describe her as passionate about the saddle being right for both horse and rider and describes badly fitting saddles as "weapons of torture". And she's a pleasure to have on your yard too!!
 
How strange that this thread has been resurected three times & each time by a new member! :D
 
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Bridget hasn't done too well at disguising her homemade testimonials. I love the thought of her sitting there and thinking 'what can I type that will sound like something a customer would write about me' and in doing so she has beautifully produced something that sounds well scripted :)

I'm sure you're fab Bridge, why not advertise?
 
Wasn't sure whether to reply to a resurrected thread but here goes.

jrp204 said:
Not sure what the answer is though, anyone can call themselves a saddle fitter but few are qualified, to become a qualified saddler takes 3-4 yrs and a master saddler 7, so its a fairly long process.
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Saddlers are not qualifed to fit saddles. To be a SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter takes a weekend course, a 3 year apprenticeship with a member of the SMS, with I think a week long course and exam in there. It is a very closed shop as with the market being fragmented, most saddle fitters will not want to take on an apprentice for 3 years who will likely go off and set up on their own in direct competition, understandably!

Even as an experienced saddle fitter I would have to find another fitter to apprentice with, my previous experience doesn't count at all. I decided it wasn't worth being a member, I can build a reputation on my own.

Thenewgroom said:
Also there seem to be more saddles now appearing which are made without tree's meaning less expert fitting, perhaps this is the way to go?
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All forms of saddles bring their own issues - anything treeless, anything that is to be "fitted" by the owner, has its own particular risks.

And I would say this is a case of perhaps asking a customer to come and speak on the fitter's behalf, always looks clumsy when it is a poster's first and only post, but I think very few people actually fake testimonials. It might just be an enthusiastic client who has just joined, and doesn't realise how that sort of post can look bad.
 
sbloom said:
Wasn't sure whether to reply to a resurrected thread but here goes.



Saddlers are not qualifed to fit saddles.



Just like to clarify something sbloom, as this implies if you are a saddler you can't fit saddles!
When we trained as Saddlers nearly 30 years ago part of our course was saddle fitting and flocking and I think it needs clarifying that only recently have there been qualifications added by the SMS to become a saddle fitter. Traditional saddlers are trained to fit saddles and can do so quite well, you will always get good and bad saddlers and saddle fitters but in general Saddlers CAN fit saddles, if they are merely manufacturing saddles then they really are NOT classed as saddlers.
To clarify again, the term Saddler traditionally means someone who has trained to make ALL saddlery, that's saddles, bridles, bridlework, rugs, horse boots, numnahs etc, will be trained in the art of Lorinery (bits, bitting and metalwork/fittings used in the saddlery trade), will be trained in material sciences, so will know the structure of the leather, textiles, metalwork used AND their breaking strains. Will be trained in repairing ALL saddlery, will be trained in fitting, flocking abd adjusting treed Saddles on site.
Hope this clears things up but there are plenty of old school traditionally trained saddlers out there who CAN fit saddles and have had many years experience doing so, Oz
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http://www.razzberrysaddlery.co.uk/
Bridget O'meara probably the best saddler in Cornwall, hand made my boys bridle and fitted his first saddle to him. Never heard anything but good about her.
The other master saddler down there, came out to me, made templates, then just said sorry I can't fit him, I only deal in 2 sorts of saddle neither of which are suitable for him, end of.
 
Hi, Billie 1007, you need to check your FACTS before you post your cynical messages on a nationwide forum.

Rhodders, Victori and Paddy Irish - Thank you very much

07974 931181 if you want to discuss this further.

Regards, Bridget O'Meara
 
As another client of Brigit's i would also reccomend her in a heartbeat!
she was very through and also very patient with me and my youngster and the difference in my horses movement was evident almost immidiately.

she even told me a few home truth's about the general development of my girl and gave me advice on what to aim for with her next.

i guess she dosent need to advertise as i discovered her via word of mouth and have sine passed on her details to freinds.

and we do have a pretty good saddlrey down here in Crosswinds equestrian, cant comment on the saddlry service but there is always something in there to treat my girly too ;)
 
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