Can anyone recommend a good, qualified saddle fitter?

Try David at Throstle Nest?

Alternately, Sammy at Parklands.

Sorry, Sammy is not a qualified saddle fitter. Nice bloke but would rather fit it myself! ;)

Sorry, Sammy is not a qualified saddle fitter. Nice bloke but would rather fit it myself! ;)

Why don't you do that then? Sammy makes a good living out of it and has hundreds of happy customers. If you're so 'in the know' maybe you'd be better off doing it yourself.

I was only passing on a name as I know he fits saddles quite successfully and has done for some time. I wasn't aware he wasn't qualified. To be honest you feeling the need to write that on the forum reminds me exactly why I can't stand the people that occupy the horse world.

i shall be watching this thread, i will be looking to get my lad a saddle fitted very soon. annax

i have always used sammy and am due to agian next week he always does a great job and always trys his best to suit your budget

Why don't you do that then? If you're so 'in the know' maybe you'd be better off doing it yourself.

I'm not a qualified saddle fitter either, which is why I am asking for recommendations for someone that is.

I value my horse too much to risk either fitting a saddle myself or letting an unqualified person fit one.

I apologise that you should find my comments "offensive" however if doing the right thing by my horse is offending either you or anyone else then so be it!

I'm not a qualified saddle fitter either, which is why I am asking for recommendations for someone that is.

I value my horse too much to risk either fitting a saddle myself or letting an unqualified person fit one.

I apologise that you should find my comments "offensive" however if doing the right thing by my horse is offending either you or anyone else then so be it!

Did I say that doing right by your horse is offensive?

what annoyed me is that you came on asking for names then publicly berated someone who has many happy customers and who I've never heard a bad word about.

I have been put off in general by the holier than thou attitude of most of the people I come across within the horse world and I say most, not all. They all seem to feel the need to put others down to make themselves look good.

Your post just seemed to re enforce that.

I haven't publicly berated anyone. I have nothing against Sammy personally, I just have a preferance that I would rather only a qualified fitter see to my horse.

Sammy sorted me out with a new saddle on 2 seperate occasions. I've got nothing but praise for Sammy and Heath got on with him too, you can't get much higher recommendation than the horse approving of him. Lol.

We have used sammy many times at our yard and think hes great never heard anythin bad about him, but if henhugger dosent fancy using him thats her choice i think we should all move on before it all gets abit petty!!

P.S Nik Nak i totally agree with u a horse approval u cant beat!!! :-)
xx

Sammy is good yes but he doesn't make saddles to fit your horse, he has new and used saddles which he alters himself, but none purposely made to fit the requirements of your horse, there's a good qualified saddle fitter in Wakefield but i have no details of her other than she is called Jane, she will guarantee that the saddle you receive will fit your horse as it is purposely made for you and your horse.

Thanks XgirlieX, if you happen across any details for Jane could you please pm me with them. :)

definitely david at throstle nest!

sammy is a star!!! had a new saddle for david (baxters) for my new horse, 6 months later he became sore through his back, had saddle checked and altered for free by david, 2 months later after back checked he was funny to mount by myself and judges in the ring, got sammy out and he said the saddle was completely wrong fit... now have a fab new saddle and my horse is goin better than ever :thumbsup:

ts not a question of whether they have done something good for you or not, either they are qualified or they arent. Last time I looked Sammy was not and Baxter was.

Check the guild of master saddlers on the internet, there is a list for the whole UK.

I have tried sammy and it was plain to me that he was good at selling saddles and about as likely to fit them well as I am. I havent used David Baxter.

I have had a saddle made and will look up the details if you want, but its expensive. Have to say, horse changed following going barefoot, and the saddle doesnt fit now (though he goes much better).

I use an old maxam with a prolite pad and numed numnah, oddly thats what fits best currently. When I'm ready I will buy a better quality saddle (ie one that looks good and will last) but functionally the maxam does all a saddle should.

The only important thing is getting it right, opinions are fairly worthless if the horse is hurting. you can of course get a good fit by luck rather than judgement and many horses are easy enough to sort out. If they are young, changing or odd shaped then you really do need to shop around, ask a lot of questions and try lots of tack and be prepared to keep changing it as your horse requires.

AS a guide your saddle must not touch the horses loins or lift at the back, you should be able to fit 3 fingers under the pommel when mounted, and two under the gullet at the cantle, you should be able to slide your hand under the front panels from pommel down without getting squished - especially on the point of shoulder - oh and fit with nothing under the saddle even if you always use a numnah. If you consider a prolite pad, refit with that under to see the effect. Prolites are made of memory foam and can help avoid pressure points when the horse is moving. If the horse has a dipped back or high withers a cut back pommel may be needed. aAso good to lung the horse in the saddle- again with nothing under it and watch what happens, you can often see a bad fit lifting at the back or moving with the shoulders, or the horses shoulders being scrunched by the saddle - bung someone on if you can as well.

If your horse, rears, broncs, naps or his tail is carried to one side - the saddle may be a serious problem, but previous injuries and problems can also cause these.

vicky spalding is a good back person - details on the internet

I hope your horse is sound and happy, as a good owner that is what you deserve

good luck

thanks everyone :)