Saddler, fitter, brand rep or retailer? What’s the difference?
Here at Castle House Saddlery, we often speak to riders who are confused about who is best to help them find the right saddle for their horse and fit it! They’re usually unsure about the difference between a saddler, a fitter and a retailer - and the role of saddle brand reps. Many have had saddles fitted in the past and sometimes it went well, other times not so well, and either way, it’s not clear if the person who helped them was qualified.
We probably don’t need to tell you that saddle fit is incredibly important. At best, the wrong choice can turn into an annoying or expensive mistake that takes months to rectify. At worst, it can cause short term discomfort and behaviour issues and even lead to long-term pain or injury for your horse.
That’s why understanding the role of each professional - and knowing what qualifications to look for - is so important.
The saddler
A saddler is a highly skilled craftsperson who is trained to make, repair and adjust equestrian leatherwork. That’s mainly saddles and bridles but could also include harness and other leather goods as well as encompassing martingales, breastplates and headcollars. Most saddlers will have at least one specialism in either bridle making, saddle making or harness making. For those saddlers specialising in saddle making, they understand every part of a saddle, from the trees and panels to girth straps and flocking and can carry out repairs or bespoke work that goes far beyond a basic adjustment.
● Typical qualifications: Many saddlers train for years, often gaining City & Guilds qualifications, and some go on to become members of the Society of Master Saddlers.
● What this means for you: If your saddle needs repairing or reflocking, or if you are looking for a bespoke saddle made to measure, a saddler has the expertise to deliver.
Some saddlers may also be qualified fitters, so as well as making your saddle can fit them to your horse.
The fitter
A qualified saddlery fitter is trained to make sure that the right size and style of saddlery is selected and that it’s been adjusted to fit both the horse and its rider. While they don’t usually make bridles or saddles, they often work with manufacturers and saddlers who do, and some fitters are also qualified as saddlers. Fitters are an excellent choice for riders who want to ensure their bit, bridle or saddle fits the horse and doesn’t cause pain or discomfort. Fitters are usually able to supply a range of saddlery items according to their specialism as well as undertake regular checks and carry out minor adjustments to accommodate muscle and weight changes throughout the year.
There are different saddlery fitting specialisms including:
· Bit fitting
· Bridle fitting (which includes bit fitting)
· Harness fitting
· Saddle fitting
Saddle Fitter
A qualified saddle fitter is trained to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the horse, rider and saddle both statically and dynamically. They can assess the fit of existing saddles as well as determine the fit and requirements of a potential new saddle from a wide range of brands, ensuring the right size, tree and panel are selected to meet the needs of both horse and rider.
When they visit you, a fitter should assess your horse’s back and conformation, take templates, check the saddle fit with and without you in the saddle, they will watch how the saddle performs when you are actively riding in it and make small on-the-spot adjustments such as flocking tweaks or girth strap balancing. Their focus is always on welfare, comfort (for the horse and you) and performance.
It’s important to make sure your saddle fitter is qualified and insured. We would advise you seek out someone who has achieved the City & Guilds Qualification in Saddle Fitting (QSF), (assured by The Society of Master Saddlers), which involves years of training and assessment. The course covers more than saddle fitting and templating the horse, focusing on a comprehensive holistic approach to horse, rider and saddle requirements which includes saddle features and design, manufacturing solutions, anatomy, biomechanics and gait analysis, rider requirements, flocking and adjustments, working with professionals including vets and muscular-skeletal practitioners as well as working with a range of brands and saddles to suit different disciplines. Once achieving the City and Guilds Saddle Fitting Qualification with the Society of Master Saddlers, fitters become eligible to join the Saddle Fitting Register which is an International Register regulated by the Society of Master Saddlers. Being a registered, qualified saddle fitter with The Society brings a requirement to complete annual continuous professional development (CPD), attend an annual development day and adhere to The Society’s Code of Conduct.
The retailer
A saddle retailer’s primary role is to sell saddles. While some will have years of experience and a good level of knowledge about the differences between brands, their job is not necessarily to provide detailed assessments of the static or dynamic fit or to make hands-on adjustments. We recommend you look out for retailers with a recognised saddle fitting qualification if you’re going to go down this route and purchase the saddle as part of their fitting service.
Brand representatives
It’s also worth mentioning brand representatives, as we know some of our readers will have used those or been approached by them. A brand rep will often know their company’s saddle designs inside out and can be helpful when you’re considering options from that particular manufacturer. However, their expertise is often limited to one brand, rather than a broad understanding of saddle design across the industry. In some cases, brand reps may also be working to sales targets, which means their recommendations could be influenced by commercial priorities rather than a completely independent assessment of what’s best for you and your horse.
Why we recommend you “look the badge”
Anyone can call themselves a “saddle fitter,” here in the UK as the title is not legally protected. But choosing a fitter with the Society of Master Saddlers badge means you can be confident that the person you’re choosing is professionally trained, insured, accountable and regulated to industry standards through the Society’s Code of Conduct.
The Society of Master Saddlers badge is widely recognised as the sign of excellence in saddle fitting in the UK, and further afield. There are other qualifications out there, but the Society of Master Saddlers in our opinion remains the most comprehensive and widely trusted body in our industry so if you are looking for a saddler, fitter or retailer near you visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk
Castle House Saddlery’s approach
At Castle House Saddlery, we’re proud to offer saddle fitting services caried out by a team of fully qualified Society of Master Saddlers fitters that’s led by Master Saddle Fitter Andrea Patterson. Andrea is one of the most highly qualified saddle fitters in the North of England and is also a Qualified Bridle Fitter (QBF), BHS Stage III Coach, a trainer and lecturer in the North of England on saddling fitting and an NVQ Assessor and Verifier. Becoming a Master Saddle Fitter takes a minimum of seven years, and Andrea is also a Director of the Society of Master Saddles. She brings decades of experience, both as a rider and a coach, alongside the technical skill to ensure every saddle is fitted with precision. She knows the different brands inside out and there’s not many conformation and saddle fitting quirks she hasn’t seen!
Our saddle fitting services include:
● Saddle fitting consultations for both new and existing saddles
● Adjustments and on-site flocking
● Clear guidance on when repairs or replacements are needed
● Independent advice across a wide range of leading brands
If you’re ever unsure about the credentials of the person fitting your saddle, don’t be afraid to ask. A professional fitter will be more than happy to explain their qualifications, the checks they carry out and why they are making certain recommendations. Saddle fitting should always be a collaborative process, where your questions are welcomed and your horse’s welfare comes first.
At Castle House Saddlery, we believe that peace of mind comes from knowing you and your horse are in expert hands… and that’s exactly what we’re here to provide! Learn more about Andrea’s experience and our saddle fitting services here.