What to look for when buying a saddle

[Marigold43]

Hi all, I am looking at a saddle for my mare. The one she currently has sits a little low on her withers. Sadly, I don't have transport to take her to a saddle fitter and they won't come out to me. My YO is very experienced in saddle fitting so will get their guidance on fit when and if I decide to buy this one I have seen. My questions are what do I need to be looking at when I go to see this saddle, other than making sure the tree is still intact and the wear and tear is acceptable to me. I know it has the same 17 inch seat that my current saddle has and it's an English leather saddle as against synthetic or European etc. It's described as having a high pommel area and is a GP saddle but has been used for jumping. It's a narrow to medium fit. My current saddle, when using a riser becomes too wide. Are there any measurements I can take of my current saddle to compare to this other one? The seller is a private seller and as such, won't let me trial it. If it's no good, I will sell it on but want to stack the odds in
My favour as much as possible to avoid this. Any hints, tips etc gratefully received......😄

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Yes good idea to ask your YO for advice re. saddle fitting - if there is no-one else you can ask, BUT TBH the ideal would be to have a proper qualified saddle fitter come out to your mare and you to make sure the saddle is a good fit for both of you and also to check every six months that the saddle is still fitting correctly as horses can and do change shape.

You don't say in what area of the country you are in........ when you say the saddle fitter(s) "won't come out" - is this because of location or other factors. I just wonder why you can't get someone????

Personally, I'd ask around at your yard and see who other people use and follow their recommendations. Yes, a YO MAY be a good judge of whether a saddle fits or not, BUT they are not a qualified saddle fitter!!!

Have a look at the website for "Society of Master Saddlers" and see if there's anyone in your area. There MUST be someone............

 

[sandi_84]

This ^ getting a saddle fitting right is art as well as science and there's a lot more to it than "it looks right" and can do a looot of damage if gotten wrong or goes wrong because horse changes shape/musclulature.

Definitely get a qualified saddler out where possible!

 

[Marigold43]

Hi, yes, totally agree. Just thought I could at least try and work out as much as possible that the saddle would be more suitable than not. If, by taking measurements, it is an obvious no go, then wouldn't but it. If however, it looked a good match, then would take a chance and then ring round to try and find a professional fitter that would come out and let me know one way or the other. If I then had to sell it on because it was no good, then so be it. I was just trying to make an educated guess at this stage and then I would get a fitter to give his thoughts..... 😄Many thanks for your advice, much appreciated and I WILL definitely get a fitter to make the final decision 😄

 

[happyclappy]

fit.

 

[Marigold43]

Trying to find a mobile saddle fitter is a bit of a nightmare! I live in Ireland and majority of saddler fitters are no where near me, ie a few hours drive away. The original saddle I got had been fitted but the person who did that doesn't travel! I don't have transport so am a bit stuck!! Tbh, this whole saddle thing is making me loose sleep as I am worrying that I will damage my horse!!! 😔

 

[cobgoblin]

Does it have to be a secondhand saddle? Some saddle companies will tell you what measurements to take and will send a saddle to fit. This is the best I can think of if a saddle fitter is a no-go.

 

[OwnedbyJoe]

Try the good ol' bent wire method:
http://horses.about.com/od/saddlesandsaddlefit/ss/withertracing.htm
I'm old enough to remember the days before mobile saddle fitters) when we had to rely on our eyes and hands... I'm now in a rural area in Australia so I still can't get a saddle fitter.

 

[Marigold43]

I am on a very limited budget and don't need a performance saddle etc as just want to hack, do some very low level jumping and just enjoy spending time with my horse. I am a full time mum to 5 children and in my forties so competition riding etc really isn't for me as I don't have the time!! I am back into riding after a 25 yr break and a lot has changed since I learnt to ride at the age of 7!!! So many do's and dont's, it's really quite over whelming!! I just want my horse to be happy with the saddle fit and for me to feel right in it too. I will def give the the bent wire method a go because at least that will put me in the right direction!! Thanks for everyone's continued advice, much appreciated 😄