Saddle problem

[Bertie]

Calling all knowledgeable people.

I wanted to get a local saddler out to check my share horses saddle. Now everyone on my yard is saying her saddle fits her well and they are knowledgeable people are YO can spot a badly fitting saddle at 100-paces. But I'm inclined to disagree with them, my saddle has a habit of slipping forwards when doing downhill work.

Now on discussing this I have been told that my mare is notouriously hard to fit a saddle to, YO bred/backed her before selling her on to her current owner sometime ago.

Now the owner of the my horse, kindly bought her the saddle she currently has when I started riding her, which is a synthetic one, not sure what make. I don't want to seem like an ungrateful cow by suggesting that this one is no longer good enough, I also do not have a great deal of spare cash at the moment to buy a new one but don't want to be riding round in a badly fitting saddle and causing my pony discomfort. I am the only one that rides her.

What are peoples thoughts on 2nd hand leather saddles? Can you get some good deals through your saddler? Roughly how much would you expect to pay for a 2nd hand leather saddle? Can anyone recommend a north west based saddler preferably kind of Manchester based that doesn't cost a fortune.

Roughly how much is it to get the saddler out to check a saddle?

[eventerbabe]

callout is generally about £30-ish up here but i do know a SMS saddler who charges closer to £60 :eek: i sold 2 x 2 year old ideals at almost half the price i paid for them. i'd probably be more inclined to get a saddler out to advise on make and size then trawl the small ads for one second hand. Lady i sold my ideals to had done just that :)

[Bertie]

Thanks EB, I was thinking of doing it that get the saddler out, get him/her to check my current saddle and advise accordingly, get them to maybe bring a few along with them and see what they have on offer, ideally I would like brown leather or brown synthetic leather look.

But I few things she is doing is starting to worry me about the saddle and I'm concerned it may not be right and causing her pain.

[*Sez*]

My leather saddle is probably third or fourth hand - it's a Sabre, and apparently about 10 - 15 years old. However, it is a beautiful saddle in lovely condition and it fits perfectly (or it did before he was turned away). My saddler charges £30 to fit a saddle (incl. call out), but we're North East, so probably a bit far away from you.

[baileyboy]

Horses do change shape through work and time of year so it is best to have a saddle checked at least once a year. The saddle that fitted 5 years ago may not be the right fit now. Sometimes it can just be a case of reflocking with a bit of luck.

[penniewitch]

Hi, I always used L for Leather at Irlam, they charge twenty pounds call out and will bring secondhand saddles with him. He is a really nice man, and has a very good reputation. You could visit the shop first and talk to him.

[Chukka]

Whatever you decide always make sure you get to ride in it for a while. Some saddlers will let you have them on trial to see how you get on with them if you leave a deposit with them.