Would you be annoyed with this.....

[JCbruce]

So a few months ago I got a new saddle for my young horse I was recommended a saddle fitter who came and fitted him a K&M GP. two days after my horse bruised his foot so had two weeks off then I rode him for a week and the saddle was very wobbly and my horse got very upset being tacked up. I sent a video to my saddle fitter who said it needs the flocking adjusted. I had 2 wait 2 months until she could come out so he hasn't been in work because I didn't want him to be in pain.

Anyway she came out yesterday and said she was hasty putting a Wide Bar in and changed it for a MW and said there was soft spots so added some flocking and said she must have taken too much out the last time. She watched me ride and said that was much better but it wont be his forever saddle. Anyway she charged me full wack again. I was kind of expecting the have a discount considering it never fit him.

She's really a really lovely person so I didn't say anything and just paid but would you expect a discount. I thought it might be that he changed shape but she look all his measurements and he was the exact same as before. Just curious on other thoughts on this. I wouldn't complain because I am paying for a very skilled profession and like I said she is a really nice lady.

 

[sarcasm_queen]

Did you ride the horse in the saddle at the initial fitting?

 

[GrassChop]

To be honest, this year I've had my saddle fitter out 3 times in the space of 3 months because my saddle still wasn't right. Horse hadn't changed shape so they just kept adjusting it. I would have liked for them to offer a discount at least due to the fact it wasn't adjusted right the first two times but I don't feel like it's worth the confrontation as I want to keep using her and she's a nice person.

 

[JCbruce]

Did you ride the horse in the saddle at the initial fitting?

Yes I did just down the road and back that’s why I wouldn’t complain I didn’t notice anything first time neither did she so I think it’s just one of those things.

 

[SEL]

It's such a poorly paid job that I doubt discounts are feasible and there was quite a gap between your fittings OP

 

[nagblagger]

I might be speaking out of turn GrassChop but why do you want to keep using a saddle fitter because she is nice, it appears she is not competent.
But in answer to your question JCbruce i wouldn't expect to pay anything if it was her mistake and waited 2 months.!

 

[JCbruce]

It's such a poorly paid job that I doubt discounts are feasible and there was quite a gap between your fittings OP

I know I messaged her straight away but that was the only availability she had so I had to wait. I was going to get someone else out but everyone at my yard said to give her the benefit of doubt because she is highly recommended. And the saddle seems good now which is the important thing.

 

[GrassChop]

I might be speaking out of turn GrassChop but why do you want to keep using a saddle fitter because she is nice, it appears she is not competent.
But in answer to your question JCbruce i wouldn't expect to pay anything if it was her mistake and waited 2 months.!

Very valid question and in all honesty, I'm not completely sure. I just wanted to give her the chance to get it right which she now has and never had any issues fitting saddles before this particular one so I was hoping it's just a one off really.

 

[TPO]

I don't think that the fitter is wrong based on the information posted.

Fitter came out and you were happy with the fit on the day, paid, and used saddle until the horse was injured so out of work.

Horse had 2wks off and then you rode for a week but "saddle felt wobbly". That could have been caused by various things, for example:.


One, the horse had 2wks off and they can change shape in that short a period

Two, it's a flocked saddle and they all have a "bedding in" period. All new [flocked] saddles should come with the advice to book a second fitting in approx 12wks time

Three, it's a new saddle that may have altered rider position

Then horse had a further 2 months out of work waiting for the fitter. To have gone down a gullet size wouldn't be completely unexpected.

The horse that she fitted on th4 second visit would more than likely been a different shape from the horse on the first visit.

The fitter had adjusted the saddle to fit the horse as they currently are and has advised that further adjustments/fittings will be required.

I've no idea why anyone would expect a discount when there has been a 2mth 3wk period or why the fitter is being criticised for the initial fit.

 

[ycbm]

The fitter's mistake was to mention fitting a wider plate too soon. It's not an unusual strategy to go a bit wider than strictly necessary, it's s just that on this occasion it didn't work with a horse who probably also changed shape.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm not sure how I'd feel TBH.

Horse's shape can change totally if needing to rest and TBH your saddle-fitter was responding to the change in shape, and quite rightly.

However, I do share your doubts in that she's now saying this isn't going to be his "forever saddle". Granted that this might indeed be the case, what comes across to me is that she doesn't seem to know her own mind in this and isn't trusting her own opinion even??

Yes she may be "nice" but that doesn't mean she's necessarily good at her job.

Is she SMS accredited? That said, the worst fitting that a client ever had at my yard was from someone who was a SMS.

I'd be inclined to get another saddle fitter in; it wouldn't be a bad thing to get another set of eyes on this problem I think?

 

[JCbruce]

thanks for everyone’s in-puts I guess there are mixed opinions here. I think the main point is the saddle fits now and as long as my horse remains happy and doesn’t show anymore signs of discomfort since saddle has been adjusted then it’s definitely worth the money twice over.

Thanks and have a great day everyone

 

[Surbie]

For a full reflock my saddler includes a visit 8-12 weeks later to check the fit and the flocking. For a partial reflock I would expect to be charged full whack.

I have an older horse, but still have to get my saddle checked about 3x/year as he changes shape a fair bit depending on workload, turnout hours and grass. I wouldn't expect my saddle to fit well after 2 months off, with a young horse that might be growing as well as being out of work.

FWIW my saddler also expects to see the saddle ridden in WTC, both reins and on a circle as well as straight lines to check for fit.

 

[webble]

The only fault of the saddler in my opinion was to not be able to get back sooner than 2 months.

When I last had the saddle fitter out we discussed how much horses change shape and also how my position has changed, she mentioned at the time she has competition horses she sees every 12 weeks because they alter that much

 

[JCbruce]

For a full reflock my saddler includes a visit 8-12 weeks later to check the fit and the flocking. For a partial reflock I would expect to be charged full whack.

I have an older horse, but still have to get my saddle checked about 3x/year as he changes shape a fair bit depending on workload, turnout hours and grass. I wouldn't expect my saddle to fit well after 2 months off, with a young horse that might be growing as well as being out of work.

FWIW my saddler also expects to see the saddle ridden in WTC, both reins and on a circle as well as straight lines to check for fit.

It didn’t fit after 2.5 weeks not 2 months she just didn’t have availability to see me untill then

 

[JCbruce]

The only fault of the saddler in my opinion was to not be able to get back sooner than 2 months.

When I last had the saddle fitter out we discussed how much horses change shape and also how my position has changed, she mentioned at the time she has competition horses she sees every 12 weeks because they alter that much

I know she’s only down the road so I was hoping she would be able to pop over but very busy so I understand and my horse enjoyed the holiday

 

[Surbie]

It didn’t fit after 2.5 weeks not 2 months she just didn’t have availability to see me untill then

And @TPO outlined several possibilities for that upthread.

At least you have a saddle that fits and is comfortable now.

 

[webble]

When I didnt have a school I used to hire one for saddle fitting so that I could ride properly and so the saddler could see me ride. Might be worth doing for future if possible

 

[SEL]

Forever saddles in young horses are wishful thinking IMO. I'm on 3rd in 18 months and that's nothing to do with the fitter. He's gone from scrawny with both front legs out of the same socket to actually looking like a cob. I think the chest will widen more if he takes after his dad.

 

[Jenko109]

Sounds to me like she openly admitted to not doing the job correctly the first time around

 

[Caol Ila]

I know I messaged her straight away but that was the only availability she had so I had to wait. I was going to get someone else out but everyone at my yard said to give her the benefit of doubt because she is highly recommended. And the saddle seems good now which is the important thing.

I hear you. I stopped using traditional treed saddles and saddle fitters because this seems par for the course now. There are too many horses and not enough saddle fitters. It can be a nightmare to get one to your yard in a timely way. I was in the same boat with a Thorowgood saddle that was NQR within a week or two of a fitting. I contacted the saddle fitter and politely said that I think it needs further adjustment because the horse wasn't happy, and I could see uneven sweat patches on her back. I even had pictures! Saddle fitter said her next available appointment was in two months time. F*ck that. I wasn't annoyed about her not getting it right the first time. I totally understand that saddle fitting it's not an exact science, and it might need further faffing once you've ridden in it for a bit, but I was annoyed that they did not seem to acknowledge that and expected me to do what? Ride in a saddle that didn't fit for two months?

A friend gave me a leather treed saddle with Free Form panels that I could adjust myself. I rode in it for the rest of my mare's life.

 

[planete]

I hear you. I stopped using traditional treed saddles and saddle fitters because this seems par for the course now. There are too many horses and not enough saddle fitters. It can be a nightmare to get one to your yard in a timely way. I was in the same boat with a Thorowgood saddle that was NQR within a week or two of a fitting. I contacted the saddle fitter and politely said that I think it needs further adjustment because the horse wasn't happy, and I could see uneven sweat patches on her back. I even had pictures! Saddle fitter said her next available appointment was in two months time. F*ck that. I wasn't annoyed about her not getting it right the first time. I totally understand that saddle fitting it's not an exact science, and it might need further faffing once you've ridden in it for a bit, but I was annoyed that they did not seem to acknowledge that and expected me to do what? Ride in a saddle that didn't fit for two months?

A friend gave me a leather treed saddle with Free Form panels that I could adjust myself. I rode in it for the rest of my mare's life.

Much the same story here. Not going back to treed saddles. The whole concept of treed saddles is flawed in my opinion but that would be for another very contentious thread.

 

[Caol Ila]

Much the same story here. Not going back to treed saddles. The whole concept of treed saddles is flawed in my opinion But that would be another very contentious thread.

LOL, it would be very contentious.

You need to be confident at adjusting treeless or leather treed ones yourself and at recognising when they don't fit (not all brands fit all horses), but if you can cope with that, it makes life so much easier.

 

[planete]

LOL, it would be very contentious.

You need to be confident at adjusting treeless or leather treed ones yourself and at recognising when they don't fit (not all brands fit all horses), but if you can cope with that, it makes life so much easier.

Oh yes. It really does!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

This is precisely why I use the Total Contact Saddle now.

Best decision I ever made. Suits me, suits my pony. (Also suits my pocket!). Pony is checked regularly and physio is more than happy with her back.

I couldn't ride in a treed saddle now, I know I couldn't.

 

[meleeka]

The fitter's mistake was to mention fitting a wider plate too soon. It's not an unusual strategy to go a bit wider than strictly necessary, it's s just that on this occasion it didn't work with a horse who probably also changed shape.

The OP says the horse hasn’t changed shape, the measurements are the same and they advised after 2.5 weeks it didn’t appear to fit. I wouldn’t be happy with the time it took to rectify, given it was a mistake by the saddler, even if a genuine one.

 

[sunnyone]

I'm glad I've given up riding and so don't need a saddle fitter.

In all probability the fitter is self-employed and as such is liable to absorb the costs of her errors herself. I' d be telling her politely that I would not be paying anything at all as in "I think you've made an error this visit was for corrective work, which you delayed coming to do.....". The horse did not change shape, so poor workmanship is to blame for the poor fit she corrects it at her cost.
Not having time to appraise and correct errors within 2 months is just not on, she should keep slots available for "emergencies". Would you accept such an attitude from your farrier? I hope not. A saddle is just as essential to a rider as well trimmed feet, shod or barefoot.
Of course she's nice, you're paying her loads of money to treat you like dirt and do a bad job!
Coffee is on offer, just wake up and smell it.
P.S. I have nothing against saddle fitters per se, just people who expect to get away with poor customer service.