23/09/2026
Rant warning!! I wanted to share to help educate.
Makes my blood boil to see job adverts like this.
As saddle fitters we have to deal with clients regularly that have bought a saddle often for a lot of money, often off a rep.
We then meet them when they have an expensive saddle, that often doesn't fit, often that has caused dammage to the horse. The client then cant resell the saddle for anything like what they paid for it, as the market is flooded with them. Usually at about 25% of the original price would be what its worth. We meet a broke client, broken horse and its our job to put them both back together mentally and physically!!!
Sadly often, but not always these reps have no saddle fitting qualifications and are on sales targets just to sell saddles. What is terrifying is some have done a few hours online and a visit to the factory. Not even touched a horse!!
We shouldn't be selling saddles just to meet sales targets and compromising the comfort and welfare of a horse/pony.
Just because a saddle is expensive it doesn't mean it is better for your horse !!
More need to be done to educate people about the difference between a saddle fitter and a rep.
I was saying only yesterday to a vet that this can be a frustrating industry to be in. If you sell a saddle then people can see you as just someone that sells saddles. If you don't sell someone a saddle you can be accused of not doing enough or doing your job properly!! You can't win either way!!!!!!!!!🤣🤣🤣
I am proud to say that I will only sell a saddle when it's right to. It must fit the horse, the rider, the budget and the individual circumstances. The horses welfare will always be my top priority. I do not have any targets, only the high standards I set for myself. I will never sell a saddle to someone that doesn't need one just because I can and just because I have one in the back of my car !!!
Do I drive a fancy reps truck, give you branded freebies, and sell you and expensive saddle and all expensive accessories to go with it NO .
Do I have a ton of all very similar non adjustable saddles in the back of my car NO
I do however have a lovely selection of British made ( European saddles by request!!!) Horse friendly saddles, some new, some second hand. To fit various horses and ponies and various budgets. I can also help you source the right saddle too at no extra charge.
Its all about a person's ethics. So I beg you all. Ask to see someone's qualifications, if they are like me they will be proud to show you. Thank you to anyone that made it to the end !!!
