Trying Saddles Before Buying

[Jo!!!]

I’m a bit clueless on what the process of trying saddles is like before buying.

I’d like to try and riz is some different saddle brands before I settle and drop a load of cash.

Do you have to just find a stockist for that brand in your area (I’m north east based)? How does this work if you just want to try, because won’t they still need to be fitted?

Also I’m aware of sites like the Saddle Bank where you can get a good deal, but again would like to ride in it first, but I think they allow you to return.

Anyone have any insight? I’m also curious to know what saddle brand people recommend!

Thanks

 

[kaiserchief]

Most independent saddle fitters will bring a range of saddles to your yard (based on your description of your horse and your height and weight), narrow down the selection to those that fit best and watch you ride in them. If there's one that stands out as being the best fit, most comfortable and that the horse goes best in, you can buy it and they will do any flocking necessary to get an optimal fit.

 

[sbloom]

It's a vast area, if you search around saddles and saddle fit here you'll.learn a TON .

I'm a fitter of over 16 years so know the industry well and saddle fitters work in a variety of ways. Have a look at this for starters, will explain a bit about how it all works and why there are so many different ways of tackling it.

Why can't saddle fitters agree?!

Isn't there great comfort in a set of rules? For my job, a universal truths of saddle fitting, so you can assess saddles and fitters against each other? If only. Did you know there are many, many ways to fit a saddle? The series of debates hosted by the Professional Saddle Fitter's Association...

stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk

The very worst way is to ask a load of people which saddles they love and recommend. The saddle may not be remotely suitable for your horse or what you want to do even if you've shown photos and someone swears your horse is "the spit" of theirs....then there's rider fit which is often poorly tackled anyway, but we all have different pelvises and hips. What fits someone else, again even if they're outwardly very similar to you, is highly likely not to fit you even if they swear it's the most comfortable thing in the universe.

And then you need a GOOD fitter that covers your area and you can afford to have out regularly. Twice a year is a sorted of blanket recommendation. Even more often is ideal, but actually the ultimate is learning to spot WHEN it needs adjusting so you can call the fitter out of when needed. Some fitters will offer cheaper remote checks to help with this, some will be better at helping you learn this yourself than others. Some saddles ARE owner adjustable (eg treeless/flexible) but always do it with the ongoing advice and support of your fitter.

The blog posts after the one I linked to have an in-depth look at choosing a saddle fitter. It's ridiculously long but I tried to cover absolutely all factors!

If you can buy from stock - will.depend on the brand and the particular fitter - or if otherwise it's a standard saddle, you have the right to cancel.tje order and return for a refund, but ridden trials are a grey area as they devalue the saddle so look closely at the Ts and Cs for a fitter, they should always provide them, and if in doubt ASK, don't assume . Many brands, because of the huge number of variables in fitting a horse and rider.combo, are custom only and you ride in a demo when the fitter comes to you. Some treeless/flexible saddles might be sold mail order and you get to try it for at least a few days.