What would you do?

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vanessahook

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I am having a real battle over a saddle.
Basically bought a new Bates Isabelle Werth just before xmas. It was great for about a week then started moving so had saddler back out and it was adjusted, again great for a week, but then moving about. Had another saddler from same company out who suggested buying a sheepskin, which I did at more expense.
Still not happy, went slightly mad and the boss came out who has now taken the Bates back and given me a Kieffer to try for a few days. I'm really not sure about it, its so hard on my bum, and I'm pretty sure my girl now needs to see the physio. Im just about managing to stay in control as i'm now really annoyed!
As some of you may know my poor horse has a lot of other issues to deal with and this is the last thing she needs.
 
Ver awkward decision and i dont envy you atall. What saddle wear you using before and does it fit? If so, I would stick with that, I have had more saddle problems than anyone and paid thousands of pounds for them. I now have a saddle, that I have had for two years and I paid £300 for it and it is just perfect. I do wish you luck!!
 
Saddles can be a nightmare, can't they? I have to say that I had the same problem with the Isabell (moving forwards) & I've also known a couple of other people with the same problem. Coincidentally, I also went over to the Kieffer. Don't forget that leather does take some breaking in.

For what it's worth, I far prefer the Kieffer now I'm used to it, so my advice is stick it out & see how you go with the Kieffer.

Hope you get it sorted!
 
What area are you? Considering the problems that youve had here, I would get the top person out to fit/adjust your saddle who I think is Kay Humphries. I have been through loads of saddlers and she is one of a very few people that I found that can actually fit a saddle properly.
Kay is used to fit saddles for horses at Amanda Suttons physiotherapy practise- Amanda is one of the best physio's in the world (she does the Olympic Event team horses) and she cannot speak more highly of Kay.....
THink you are banging your head against a brick wall with your current saddler TBH, would not trust them any more. To reccomend a sheepskin pad to try and make your saddle fit is quite frankly appalling...plus the fact that youve noticed a marked deterioration in the mares performace....
frown.gif

As for the Kieffer- if its not comfortable for you, it wont be comfortable for the horse. When the horse is comfty- the rider will be comfty..
 
Have you tried a saddle company saddle?
Having been through loads and loads of the nations top brands of saddles, I quite honestly think that they are by far the best for the horse/rider!! Even though they are the cheapest!!
Just wish I hadnt spent £10k on brand new made to measure saddles to find that out!
 
The saddle is was using before apparently didn't fir but then i was told this by the same people that have caused this cock up so who knows!!! Unfortunately it has been sold anyway.
 
Interesting that other people have had the same sort of problems. I dont actaully mind the Kieffer, obviously im sore at the moment cos im used to something softer.
How is your horse designed? Mine is higher behind the saddle than at the withers so apparently the Kieffer suits her because it isn't so deep seated.
 
I had problems with my old mare when trying to get a dressage saddle, we tried loads independantly at first, then got a 2 saddlers in and still had the same problems. They all moved forwards onto her shoulders although my VSD didnt. I got my money back in the end as it rubbed her and I stuck with my VSD. When I got my new boy I just happened to be on a yard where a saddler was visiting so I booked my boy in as I wanted a dressage saddle for him. Had about £800 max to spend and pretty much knew what I wanted but was shocked to be told my boy could only take 3 different types of saddle due to the shape and short length of his back and the size of me (Im a 12/14 by the way but I felt like I was larger the way he was talking!) Saddler was a friend of a friend so he wasnt having me over and he is a master saddler fitter thingy whatever they are called??? so I ended up having something I didnt really like but it fit my horse. 3 years on and apart from a bit of flocking its great.
I'd forget the Isabell Werth and try to get something that fits him first before you and if they cant provide it then I think you should have a full refund plus the sheepskin. Im supprised you were advised to put a sheepskin under because if it fitted then you wouldnt need it.
Good luck, its a nightmare.
 
Im based in Kent. I think Amanda Sutton is actually coming to my yard for one of the otehr dressage horses at the moment and i was going to ask if she could have a look.
I didn't agree with the sheepskin suggestion at all but was told to try that before the company would do anything else. Im seriously considering asking not only for a refund but for everything else its cost me on top, including a physio!!!
 
Yes I wasnt allowed a deep seat and I was gutted, something to do with the shape of the tree and that it would dig in? My horse is short backed and I had to have a 17 inch with a sweeping back to allow more room for me.
 
I think that Kay is based in Bucks or near London which I think is near Kent?? (sorry geography is hopeless!)
She works independently as well has her own saddle shop somewhere there I can find you her number if you want as Amanda regards her as the messiah of saddle fitting!!
 
My impression is that saddlers come out and give you the classic line of "oh this one looks difficult to fit", they then find the most expensive saddle possible and convince you its fantastic hoping that because you've parted with so much money and the saddle is new you will go away quite happily for the next 10 years!! God help you if you dare to say its not quite right!
 
I totally agree with you.
Felt happier knowing he was my friends friend and that the saddle I was using was sitting behind his last rib and I was unaware of it even though it was only 1/2 inch bigger than what I had but the sweeping back made such a difference.
Oh, a girl on my last yard got her money back and the cost of physio too when a saddler bugg***** her horses back up.
Go for it!
 
Hi hun it's Kerri with William, kieffers are hard in my opinion and I cannot bare the wintec system therefore hate bates as well.

Try an albion, well worth the extra money, they are gorgeous and soft and supple even when brand new. Emma with Nemo has one I'm sure she'd let you have a sit in it. They are also adjustable.

x
 
hi hun - sorry to here its still not sorted. Id be furious if i was you
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They should never have suggested you brought a sheepskin, the saddle should fit properly in the first place, thats the whole point of them coming out and fitting it.

If i was you id get Amanda to check out her back and ask her if she thinks its related to the badly fitted saddle. If she does then Amanda will have to say to the saddlers thats the cause if you want them to pay for the physio. Otherwise im sure they will just turn round and say to you that your horses back was bad before and its nothing to do with them.

Ive never ridden in a kieffer, but have you tried a jaguar? the XKC Mono is lovely, and good for narrower horses. However quite expensive. Ive got an Albion Ultima Narrow which is gorgeous, but has a deep seat so probably not suitable for you. its really comfy tho! x
 
I am absolutely fuming to be honest especially as i now think my poor girl is suffering. Last night i just could not get her off the right rein, as soon as i asked her to even leg yield off the right leg up came the head and back to threatening to rear!!!
Im gonna ask for my money back tomorrow and get physio out asap and then reconsider.
I have sat on a Jaguar before and thought it was pretty good, My girl is wide/extra wide!!!
 
Hi, mines a Jaguar too and my friend also has 2, one medium and one extra wide and the tree can be tweaked if your horse gains/loses condition. You can also have different trees put in them. Ive got the flatter tree in mine but my friend has the deep seat and its so comfy.
 
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