Why is so hard to find a saddle to fit!

[Laafet]

Apologies for a bit of a rant but I need to get it off my chest. I have a lovely ex racer who has rehabbed from Kissing Spine, PSD and SI problems. I have always been on top of her saddle fitting etc and early this year an issue came up that was unexpected. I really didn't expect to take her into the vets for a work up to be told she was not lame but her saddle didn't fit. This was the week after it had been checked by our saddle fitter who I had used for years.
This was the start of the problems, I then borrowed a whole load of saddles to try to find the one, so I could then go out and buy one similar. As it was apparent that even when a saddle looks like it fits - she doesn't always find it so. A few other dressage friends have noted the same. So I am not blaming my fitter at all on that front. She worked with what she could see on the day. Her suggestion was that I bought a saddle and she would fit it - my issue with this is that I currently have two very nice saddles that I have sat at home that I cannot sell for love nor money. Literally one I even had as low as £150 on Ebay as it's an older less fashionable model but with a modern tree and latex panels. So I am not keen on buying a random saddle off Ebay without knowing if the tree is sound etc and hoping it fits my horse.
What I'd like is a fitter to bring out a saddle in my budget and we go from there.......
Saddle fitter no 2 - contacted as I had recommendations from people I trusted - nope wouldn't help as they start at £900. Which is fair enough but frustrating. I don't want to spend that much right now as I know that with her development I will be buying her another one in the near future if she stays sound. And like I said I already have two saddles I spent a lot of money on that I cannot sell and no one will take in part exchange.
So am now waiting on Saddle fitter no 3
All I want is a GP to fit that will last her for a while and be comfortable and progress our training.
I've always had a bit of an issue with saddle fitters for this type of reason - even 20 years ago it just seemed like they wanted to sell you a new saddle and that was all.

Pic below of said lovely horse in her borrowed brown Barnsby GP with a black dressage girth and leathers cos you can't tell when I am on board!

 

[RachelFerd]

Why not use Saddles Direct or similar? Won't be as cheap as eBay, but will let you trial for a few days knowing that you can return if it isn't right - and they'll be checked for tree soundness etc.

PS. I know this is "wrong" - but I've generally had more success using saddles that I've tried out on my horses that they seem comfortable with, than I have had with saddle fitters. I'd be more inclined to listen to the horse than views of a randomer (and it sounds like your mare is quite clear with her views!)

 

[LEC]

In your boat I would try some from saddle bank as I expect you have enough knowledge to fit and saddle and it seems the horse is telling you what works for them. Sometimes horses and saddle fitters don’t agree.

I usually beg/borrow off friends for a few months and then cough up for high end 2nd hand as I much prefer them and they hold their value. My saddle fitter is just fab but sometimes I am paying 25% of horse value in saddles!!

 

[LEC]

Why not use Saddles Direct or similar? Won't be as cheap as eBay, but will let you trial for a few days knowing that you can return if it isn't right - and they'll be checked for tree soundness etc.

PS. I know this is "wrong" - but I've generally had more success using saddles that I've tried out on my horses that they seem comfortable with, than I have had with saddle fitters. I'd be more inclined to listen to the horse than views of a randomer (and it sounds like your mare is quite clear with her views!)

Haha great minds - pretty much said the same!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Agree with above suggestions.

One thing that jumps out in that picture is you say it's a gp saddle which does look quite forward cut although it could be the angle and it's got dressage straps for a short girth. I would have the buckles positioned higher than you have them as being too low they can sit on the muscle there and I find the horse finds it more comfortable.

I don't know if there is a specific reason why gp and jump saddles tend to have long girths, I have a vsd with dressage straps but it's much straighter cut than yours.

 

[Laafet]

Haha great minds - pretty much said the same!

Thanks @LEC and @RachelFerd I think that may be the solution.

 

[Laafet]

Agree with above suggestions.

One thing that jumps out in that picture is you say it's a gp saddle which does look quite forward cut although it could be the angle and it's got dressage straps for a short girth. I would have the buckles positioned higher than you have them as being too low they can sit on the muscle there and I find the horse finds it more comfortable.

I don't know if there is a specific reason why gp and jump saddles tend to have long girths, I have a vsd with dressage straps but it's much straighter cut than yours.

Thanks in that pic the girth is not fully done up, its usually 3 holes higher when I am about to get on. This is an altered saddle for my vet friends KS ex racer so it was made for him. Its working well for her so we are looking for something similar with whatever girthing arrangement. I do appreciate the location of the girth.

 

[splashgirl45]

No help with saddle ideas but think your mare is beautiful

 

[Laafet]

No help with saddle ideas but think your mare is beautiful

Aww thank you, I think she is too and she's very photogenic, a pro photographers dream when it comes to buying photos of her!