Help with saddle

[Bramble8]

Hi everyone - I'm new to the Forum but could use some advice. I have been advised that the saddle my daughter's pony has in not doing him any good. We have only had the pony since Sept. I rang a saddle fitter but been told it would cost between £400 to £600 for a saddle second hand. I only want an ordinary saddle - nothing fancy - Is this the normal price you pay for a saddle? Unfortunately I know little about this type of thing so wouldn't like to walk into a shop and purchase one over the counter - can anyone give me some advice please.

[Showjumper]

That's expensive for secondhand...depends what you're looking for but most saddle fitters will come out to you with a selection of saddles in your price range and try them all until they find one that fits well.

[pippy]

that is expencive for a second hand saddle you can pick a wintec gp saddle up they have inter changable gullets so you can change to fit the pony
that sort of price they are looking at ripping you off with you new and not knowing much about you rearly need someone to help you with this is there anyone on your yard that can help

[Joyscarer]

I had a saddle fitter out who found that the best saddle for my horse (although so so good for me) was one of the Thorowgood ones with TB panels.

The brand new saddle including the fitting came to £420. :)

[kaytenherponies]

My goodness that is scandalous I would ring round a few more places. If you post the area that u live in maybe ppl can reccommmend a reputable less expensive saddle fitter :)

[tango'smum]

i paid £400 for a second hand saddle, was nearly new. very good condition.up for sale now as no longer fitting.

[Bramble8]

Thanks everyone - we are in Derbyshire.
We had the saddle he came with stolen within a week of buying him - that was a Thorowgood Griffin Pony Club saddle with removable bits on it.
Just don't want to make an expensive mistake.

[tango'smum]

mm i did see.

[lachlanandmarcu]

The Thorowgood ones are great and cheap new - couple of hundred (most peeps tho not all prefer them to Wintecs) and cos adjustable you can safely buy 2nd hand too on eBay.

And a good second hand one should not cost more that £400 - I paid that for an excellent almost new saddle for my 17h hunter and that has lasted 8 years and is still brilliant.

You could also try the saddle exchange they will send you several saddles and you can send them back if they dont fit.....

[eventerbabe]

I disagree with those of you who think £400 is expensive for a second hand saddle. I sold my Ideal Grandee a few years ago, immaculate condition and got £400 for that. You get what you pay for with saddles. I paid close to £1000 for my jeffries event brand new (including fitting).

The thorowgood saddles are nice, i've a dressage (older griffin version) but i'm not so keen on the newer ones. You can pick them up very cheap second hand but remember to get them fitted and not just take a chance on a cheap advert. I'm afraid you'll generally always lose money on saddles :(

[amandal]

Who advised you - was it a saddler, it would seem not from your post. You can get the saddler out for a check and they may be able to alter your current saddle.

[coss]

i too wouldn't say £400 is necessarily expensive... my 2nd hand was above the price range you quoted but i always think dressage saddles are more expensive:p and it was 18months old... you can however pick up brand new saddles for cheaper

[Alibi]

I sell 2nd hand saddles in my shop and they are anything between £150 and £800 at the minute.

The best thing is to set yourself a budget, phone a few saddlers, tell the saddle fitter what your budget is, roughly what type of pony it is (cobby / native / show pony type, etc) and what your daughter will be doing with pony (showing, jumping, bit of everything) and they should be able to tell you over the phone whether or not they have a few saddles in which may be suitable, then you can organise for the fitter to come out and see the pony, try the saddles *note your daughter will have to be there too to ride the pony as it will need to be fitted to her as best possible too*

See www.mastersaddlers.co.uk for a list of qualified saddle fitters near you, but also ask around and see if you can get a few recommended (you'll also find out which ones to avoid ;) )

[Bramble8]

Thanks Alibi.
Have been on to the Master Saddler site you posted and got some names. Will give them a ring and see what they come up with.
Thanks again for the advice from everyone - hope I can get something not too expensive to keep our pony and our pocket happy:rolleyes: