What is something you wish your saddle fitter provided?

It would be good to have advice and support about correct fitting of treeless saddles. I've used treeless saddles and it isn't possible to get a fitter for them unless they are perhaps brand-specific.

Result: a lot of horses out there in treeless saddles which are badly fitted and uncomfortable.

A huge gap in the market. You mention the word "treeless" to your SMS fitter and they'll treat you like a leper.
 
deffo online booking. I can spend weeks waiting for my saddle fitter to reply to a text, then further weeks or months for the appointment.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
It would be good to have advice and support about correct fitting of treeless saddles. I've used treeless saddles and it isn't possible to get a fitter for them unless they are perhaps brand-specific.

Result: a lot of horses out there in treeless saddles which are badly fitted and uncomfortable.

A huge gap in the market. You mention the word "treeless" to your SMS fitter and they'll treat you like a leper.
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Exactly this. The leper thing hit home.

Also, timely appointments. I know it’s a manpower issue, but basically the system doesn’t work (around here anyway…might be different elsewhere in the country). The main reason I switched to treeless was that the saddle fitters who cover this area can only offer you appointments a couple months after you contact them. I’m not happy riding my horse in a saddle that doesn’t fit for a month or two. Screw that.

That tells me that the horse owner to saddle fitter ratio ain’t working. Too many horses, not enough fitters. Not enough people getting trained as master saddlers I guess. I don’t know how you fix that but I think it’s a problem.
 
My friend has an amazing fitter who doesn’t carry brands but will recommend what will fit and the width, then fit it. You can then hunt down a saddle to fit your budget. She’s always right, the saddles fit beautifully and the horses are happy.

Online booking I can see would be an issue because of travel times, but to be readily contactable via message would be good.
 
I also had a fitter who would make recommendations. Unfortunately, you had to wait at least 8 weeks for each appointment with her, so it could end up being several months before you were sorted with a saddle.
 
A really decent long trial period, e.g two weeks for new, four weeks for second hand. 3/5 days is not enough. I’d be willing to pay in full up front as long as I can return it if it doesn’t work - or pay a non-refundable deposit….or even a hire charge….
And proper varied stock of second hand, or access to stock from one of the second hand sites.
 
Equi said:
deffo online booking. I can spend weeks waiting for my saddle fitter to reply to a text, then further weeks or months for the appointment.
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Almost impossible unless you travel to single venue clinics sadly. AI might solve it but reading today it's affected the climate crisis through massive energy consumption!

Caol Ila said:
That tells me that the horse owner to saddle fitter ratio ain’t working. Too many horses, not enough fitters. Not enough people getting trained as master saddlers I guess. I don’t know how you fix that but I think it’s a problem
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Saddlers aren't the same as fitters, though some may be both. It's not an easy job, the attrition rate is high, including burnout. Many very jaded fitters out there.

southerncomfort said:
A good stock of second hand saddles.

I realise it involves a reasonable outlay, but their don't seem to be any fitters with used stock any more.
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Jellymoon said:
A really decent long trial period, e.g two weeks for new, four weeks for second hand. 3/5 days is not enough. I’d be willing to pay in full up front as long as I can return it if it doesn’t work - or pay a non-refundable deposit….or even a hire charge….
And proper varied stock of second hand, or access to stock from one of the second hand sites.
Click to expand...

Investment is always a risk but, as fitting a used saddle takes as long as fitting a new in stock saddle the returns don't add up. Asking for a bank loan on predicted return on capital would be laughed out of town.

I offer a two week trial on a new standard saddle, and sometimes even on one that has a little customisation. But it has to be built in to costs. None of us are getting rich from this.

To be a fitter you need to find your passion (I'm cynical that being a local SMS generalist fitter can so easily fulfill that passion), a very thick skin and a preparedness to wear MANY hats, as I posted on (possibly your?) post on a BD FB group earlier. Even shadowing can't show you what it's really like working in the industry, it isn't easy.
 
sbloom said:
Almost impossible unless you travel to single venue clinics sadly. AI might solve it but reading today it's affected the climate crisis through massive energy consumption!



Saddlers aren't the same as fitters, though some may be both. It's not an easy job, the attrition rate is high, including burnout. Many very jaded fitters out there.







Investment is always a risk but, as fitting a used saddle takes as long as fitting a new in stock saddle the returns don't add up. Asking for a bank loan on predicted return on capital would be laughed out of town.

I offer a two week trial on a new standard saddle, and sometimes even on one that has a little customisation. But it has to be built in to costs. None of us are getting rich from this.

To be a fitter you need to find your passion (I'm cynical that being a local SMS generalist fitter can so easily fulfill that passion), a very thick skin and a preparedness to wear MANY hats, as I posted on (possibly your?) post on a BD FB group earlier. Even shadowing can't show you what it's really like working in the industry, it isn't easy.
Click to expand...
It was my post, appreciate the info, thanks :)
 
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