Saddles and saddle fitters

[andyt]

I've had my 6 year old ISH for about 6 months now. When she first arrived she didnt have much muscle tone or definition as she had been living in a lot at her previous yard, after recovering from an injury. With the advice of my wife we brought Tully steadily into more work with the result that now she is a very fit girl. Consequently her muscle size has increased and we are of the opinion that the sadlle she came with is probably not going to be the best fitting in the world anymore and I dont want to risk injuring her back. So, my question is does anyone know of any good/trusted sadlle fitters in the Devon area that they would recommend?

[jen1]

its a bit of a mine field, but i would trust 1000% Balance international, they know horses, bio mechs, and there saddles alloow horses to gain the backs they were born to have, my shire x at the age of 12 has grown out of 1 saddle, for £50 for a consultation ,the info they give is priceless, and then make a choice as to go with them or find the balance saddle you need on ebay, the padding system is really good, allowing a thin pad to be removed or added allowing fluctuations of weight or muscle,

[Deleted]

another vote for balance saddles, my horse moves amazingly in his, in a way he hasn't in any other saddle I've tried

[Bay Mare]

You could try treeless, my ISH mare goes really well in Heather's saddle (SBS, Fhoenix & Vogue - though the Vogue is my favourite). The only downed is that she won't tolerate a treed saddle now, or even a Barefoot with the pommel insert, so that's my dreams of riding her side saddle down the pan!

[outoftheblue]

Saddle fitters are a minefield. I have friend who paid to have a (very expensive) saddle fitted and then started to have trouble with her horse. She was told it had a bad back but when I saw it with the chiropractor, neither us us could believe how badly fitted the saddle was. The horse now has a different saddle and is fine. I am using a Wintec on my baby so that I can alter it as he fills out - but it would not be my first choice. I have a very good saddle fitter in my area, Maurice Emtage of Colne Saddlery, Gloucestershire. I presume that he would not travel to Devon but he might be able to recommend someone.

[Deleted]

Whatever you do, don't use the wintec gullet gauge! It said my horse was a medium, the 'traditional' saddle fitter said he was an x-wide and the balance consultant fitted him with an xxxxxxxx wide (not kidding!).

[outoftheblue]

No - I am not, I am fitting him by eye. I think I am reasonably experienced (I hope) and he is ceratinly very comfortable.

[andyt]

Thanks for the replies guys. Weather permitting we have a master saddler from a Devon saddlery coming out at some stage this week after a recommendation form another friend. ;D