So, the shiny new saddle? Doesn't really fit. It fits him really well standing in the barn, but after lots of trotting and cantering, it rode up on his shoulders. :-( The barn owner rode him for me and got him all sweaty - and the sweat marks were only far forward on his shoulder. I feel for NuzzlingMuzzles - she is going through saddle fitting problems with her arabian mare too!
I'm going to try and send it back to the tack shop - they have a decent trial policy. I have to say that I'm really disappointed with this tack shop and their attitude. I called on Saturday to see if they had any ideas for other saddles that might fit him instead. The lady I spoke to was really rude on the phone and her advice was to try another saddle pad! She asked me to describe the situation with the saddle fit. I tried to explain his back shape and what the saddle was doing - she then said "Well, what am I supposed to do, I can't see your horse, you know..." Oh really? You are in another town 7 hours away and you can't see my horse? What is wrong with you? I quickly ended the conversation before I said something rude back to her.
I'm calling today to get a return authorization to send the saddle back. I really don't get rude people in retail - I'm trying to give you alot of money and if you are just nice with me, I'll buy stuff! Pretty simple, really.
So, I'm back to square one. I just found out about a tack shop in the area and the owner makes and repairs western saddles. How I didn't know this place existed is beyond me! I have every tack shop in the area, with several alternate routes, their hours and brands they sell all permanently etched in my mind! lol. I'm going to call this guy today and see if he has any ideas. It will be much easier to deal with a shop within driving distance. I just hope he is nice and helpful for a change!
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On more positive note, have you guys heard of or been watching Britain's Got Talent? I think this piece has also been all over the news, but if you haven't seen/heard it, you have to check it out. Safe for work...
The embedding option has been disabled, so you'll have to go over to Youtube to watch it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4
I won't say anything more on it - you just have to watch it!
Name That....
2 days ago
10 comments:
Laura, I LOVE that shot in your header now!! Rusty is a character and a half.
How hard is it for you to get stuff from here? (You are a Canadian right?) A very good friend of mine works for a company that will custom fit your saddle, even going so far as to send you the naked tree to test on your horse's back. They are VERY reasonable in price too. Email me if you want me to get you the link, and I'll hook you up.
I'll be going through them in a couple months to get a saddle for Sonny Bunz. His withers are quite high, and his back is quite wide... so custom is the way we *have* to go.
Kisses to Rusty from me!!
The frustrating part about it is that what we need in our case is a tree that comes in snugger at the withers, but if you just try to buy a narrow tree as opposed to a wide tree, or a wide tree as opposed to an extra-wide tree, all you get is a change in the angle. The narrower the tree, the steeper the slope. So, the tree can end up just digging into the horse's back instead of fitting snugger in the shoulders. I tried to get a local saddle maker to help me, but he wanted a minimum of $3,500 for the most basic saddle. He claimed the tree alone costs $2,000. Say what? It's usually a piece of wood carved and wrapped in fiberglass. When did sculpted trees suddenly get so expensive? I'm assuming he's charging more for his expertise on fitting the tree than he is for the materials. My trainer told me to try wrapping the latigo in a Y on the two D-rings. It didn't make that much of a difference, but did make some.
Aww crap!!! Dang girl!! That sucks! I went through this last year and it was HELL!!!
You know I have heard REALLY good things about Tucker Saddles... http://www.tuckersaddles.com
Is he really wide? Too wide for a Full QH? You could try a draft they have an extra inch or two but they also have extra flair to the skirt.
I'm having saddle fitting issues with my new saddle on Poco too. Actually, I'm hoping that's past tense now. I got a shim that seems to fix it, but only time and use will tell. And I never had the option to take it back because Sergeant's went out of business. I am a bit optimistic that Poco losing a bit of weight will help. Another reason I like sending them to Heather a couple times a year -- the Fat Farm!
LK-That video was awesome. You will have to keep us posted on Susan's progress. We don't get that show on cable.;) I about fell out laughing at the look on those judges faces when she started singing.
That's a bummer about the saddle. Very disappointing I am sure. I am dreading having to buy a new barrel saddle for Moon. He pushed mine back cause his shoulder blades are wide. He is going to have to start winning before I can afford one though.;)
I have heard that Billy Cook saddles are really good, but i dont know how much different the tree and gullet are from one model to the next. We had to get a certain model of Crate Saddle for our Yellow, because of the shape of his barrel and the angle of the wither. good luck - i applaud your knowledge in getting the right fit.
Love your new header!!
Yeah I am with you on the saddle fitting issues, I feel fortunate that I don't have that issue now, but I have been through it so I know your frustration.
And I am sorry they were rude on the phone - I agree, customer service over the phone seems simple enough don't know why it's so hard for some people to get...
Gah! Saddle fitting! So what are Rusty's back/fitting issues? Have you taken sizings and tracings of his back already and sent them in?
It would be nice if you could try the 'naked trees' for fittings at home. That's the way that quite a few custome saddlerys do it.
I sure hope you can get the right saddle for both you and Rusty soon.
Oh yes, and I watched the video before and was blown away. Gave me goosebumps! Wow!
~Lisa
word verification: cutable
Bummer about the saddle! I hope you are able to return it and get something that fits Rusty. I think a good fitting saddle is important. My first saddle, for My Boy, a trainer checked it for me, but I still don't think it's a total perfect fit. But he does sweat pretty evenly under it. I would LOVE to get a new saddle someday....something more comfy for the trail. I heard barrel saddles are good!?
Just throwing in my 2 cents - I'd get the info from MrsMom and check them out or go to "About the Horse" (you can google them) Kimfer has 2 of their saddles and really likes the fit AND finds them comfy.
For minor fit issues a different pad may help but this seems to be a bit more.
And I know its no excuse but sometimes customer service people are just having a really bad day. We all try to leave it at home, or with the customer that was an ass and put is in that mood but its not always possible.
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