Advice needed - regarding a purchased saddle

[XWCOB]

Hi Everyone,

Just after some advice, I purchased a tailor made saddle for my horse last year, I was given a saddle to have on a trial period whilst my saddle was being made, I got ok with it and quite liked it, at the end of the trial period I gave the ok for my one to be made. When mine was finally made and I had it fitted by the maker to my horse, it felt ok at the time and was great, however within a week it started to slip to the side, not a great deal but still slipping.

I wasnt that impressed and asked for the saddle maker to come back out and refit it, he did re-check it and 'changed' it but the thing still keeps flipping slipping, I was told, 'Well it could be due to your riding, the saddle is fine when it's fitted when I was there, if it's slipping, just tighten the girth up on the other side more'. I was not impressed with this advice but went ahead anyway and tried this, along witha non-stick pad. Doesnt work. However I thought perhaps it's just my cobs shape and that's that.

That was 4 months ago and I've ridden occassionally but it's just kept slipping about 1/2 to one side and then stays put. Til I had a Bowen Therapist out on referral from my vet :mad:

He's stiff and sore on one side and suprise suprise on the side the saddle slips to ! I've asked for them to come back and do a re-fit once more, but to be honest Im that pi$$ed off with them that I want to know where I stand legally with returning this saddle, as it was custom made for me and my horse I know I wont be able to get my full money back (£1700 :mad:) but would anyone know if I would be entitled to anything back ? I have every intention of asking for some money back or something and letting them know when they 're-fit' the saddle soon that I am not impressed and the saddle has been the reason for my horses discomfort and a £150+ bill. Now I had my horses back checked before I had this new saddle fitted to him and he was absolutely fine, so it's definately the saddle that has caused this.

Would I be entitled to anything ? Or have I left it to late ? :(

Thanks for any advice

[colleen&val]

you dont spend that type of money for a saddle to make your horse sore and to slip all the time, and def not for 4 months :eek:

demand your money back , plus the expense of the backperson you have had out

i think its disgusting :mad:

[Skippys Mum]

Make sure you have a note of all the dates and fittings. Get confirmation, in writing, that his back was fine before hand and also that the saddle is apparently to blame BEFORE they come back out. Make sure you have copies of everything. Tell them you will be sending the whole lot to the major horse magazines to be sorted if they dont sort it themselves.

That should get some wheels moving:D

[Showjumper]

I'd be phoning, quoting the sales of goods act, stating that the saddle is not fit for purpose and that Trading Standards will be getting involved if you don't get a full refund. Yes full...because the saddle was "made to measure" it should fit. It clearly doesn't and you want rid of it because of that, not because you've just changed your mind, therefore you should be entitled to a full refund.

[Remmy]

XWCOB - This is a difficult area and I understand your frustration.

Common things which can make your saddle slip - wonky panels, twisted tree, single elastic girth, uneven horse, rider. The reason that I haven't mentioned saddle fit is because the saddle will slip to either side at random if the width is the issue here.

With a 'custom' made piece of equipment you'll find that it gets tricky with sale of goods act etc, especially where you've had the saddle for a while. A custom made saddle 'may' only fit really well for a short period of time because a) the horse makes up condition because he's more comfy or b)loses some weight because he's now back in work - these are just two scenarios!

What I might expect and would be perfectly fair - the saddler agrees to visit you and take a template. If the temlate is the same as when the saddle was made (whenever that was) ie, your horse hasn't changed shape in that time, and you still have a problem with the saddle then you can justifably ask for a refund. If the template is different then you only really can expect him to adjust the saddle for you and I would expect this to be at your cost too.

Out of interest, was the loan saddle identical to to one you had made? If you want to PM me then feel free.

I hope this helps?