06/05/2026
Shared from another fitter 🏇🏇
As Saddle Fitters we are asked all the time to give second opinions. And to say the previous fitter had done a bad job. Often on an official basis. I always say NO. A big, fat, not on your nelly, no.
Why?
Lots of reasons. But mainly because we never know what the other saddle fitter had to work with. Have I walked away from every saddle fitting I have ever done and kissed my own biceps, thinking ‘that was amazing’?
No.
I walk away from them all knowing that I have done my best, but sometimes that’s within some very strict limits. Budget being the main one. If I go to a horse and the saddle really doesn’t fit. But they absolutely can’t afford a different one but the horse needs to be in work (maybe there is a big vets bill) then I will do my best to make what they have useable (or lend them a saddle). If another fitter came along and judged it without knowing the context, it’d be awful. I always make sure I write it down and give them a digital copy, to say the saddle isn’t by any means perfect… but still… you get what I am saying, I’m sure.
Also, horses change. We all know that. But really… do you truly know how much they can change? I’ve seen a horse go from medium wide to extra wide in less than three months. Over the course of those three months, his saddle probably would have passed a fitting for about a week. Max. What if another fitter had come out after a month and seen it? They’d have thought ‘bejesus what was Poppy thinking here??’ - well, until they came back a few weeks later and saw it had turned into a rhinoceros. 🦏
So. I don’t give second opinions. I see my job as one for horse welfare. I don’t approve or agree with the litigious society we find ourselves in. If you want to sue a fitter or complain about one… you won’t find me backing you up. Unless of course they’re unqualified and/or dangerous.
Instead I will tell you that yes I’ll come check and fit the saddle but I can’t comment on the previous fitting. If it’s been seen recently by another (qualified) saddle fitter, I’ll pop them a message out too to make sure I’m not treading on their toes. Cos it’s a tough job. We shouldn’t be making it any more tough for one another.
Exceptions: untrained & unqualified fitters who are a bloody liability.
✌🏽 ❤️ ✨
