Why is there a consultation fee?

Much time and effort has been spent over many years travelling all over to learn how to fit saddles, pads and cinches in various countries and locations; equine biomechanics; equine physiology; training to look for saddle related discomfort; when to refer to other professionals; horse and rider psychology; and to understand the horse's behaviour as communication. Much experience and knowledge is brought to (and shared) at each consultation. This is all for the good of the horse.

Treed and treeless saddles are sold by The Western Saddler Ltd. The consultation will vary slightly if the saddle is treed or treeless.

There are four options:

Consultations:

  • The first option is for you to bring your horse to us on the outskirts of Ringwood, Hampshire. There is no charge if you bring your horse to us. We are just inside the New Forest boundary. There are a number of B&B’s where you can bring your horse if you wanted to make a holiday out of it. Our neighbour runs an AirBnB property right next door. You can bring your horse and ride directly out into the New Forest. Combine a saddle fitting with a holiday!! Here is the link to the neighbours Airbnb
  • The second option is to come out to you and your horse. The charges are £70.00 +VAT for the consultation (which usually takes between 1-3 hours) plus £0.75 +VAT pence per mile. We try to combine visits, thereby keeping travel costs lower. If you would like to work out approximate mileage we are based in Ringwood, Hampshire. 
    On the big trips mileage cost can only be finalised once everyone has notified us of whether they want to be seen. Usually, and as a rough idea, the mileage cost on the big, multiple clients trips is around £60 each venue. (If you have multiple people at one venue then the travel cost is split between them eg if there’s 4 people at one venue then the £60 is shared, so £15 .)
  • The third option is to order the distance saddle fitting kit. This is very useful if you live a long way from the New Forest. The price for this service is £128.00 +VAT plus postage. The price includes being sent 1 or 2 black spider-like templates and as much email and phone advice as required. You will be sent the template to mould to your horses’ back along with instructions. Then send them on to Germany to one or both of our western saddle wholesalers. They will try the template in a number of the trees and saddles. Then either a tree(s) will be sent out to you to try on your horse, or the saddle, to your specification, will be made for you and your horse. Once we have been notified of the saddle(s) being sent I will need full payment for the saddle(s). When you receive the saddle(s) you will be sent the Port Lewis Impression Pad to check for good fit and a selection of saddle pads to try. All excess saddle pads will need to be returned to me in the UK. We have worked this way many times, and it can be quite time-consuming, but the results are well worth waiting for! We have had very happy customers in Australia, Far East, Spain, France, Norway, Canada and the USA. To order your saddle fitting kit please buy here.
  • The fourth option is to see if you have anyone nearby trained to use the EQUIscan to take an impression of your horse's back. Then TWS can arrange to get a western saddle made to your specification that uses the EQUIscan technology to ensure an excellent fit for your horse.

EQUIscan:

EQUIscan charges for the measurement of the horse, including data recording, measuring the horse with the Topographer PRO and photo documentation £119.00 +VAT.

Saddle Fitting Clinics:

TWS are happy to discuss and arrange Saddle Fitting Clinics for your stables, riding club, or college.

If you have questions, or would like to request a clinic, please click here.

Saddle Fitting Talks:

TWS has presented saddle fitting talks to riding clubs in the past. We cover topics such as what constitutes a poorly fitting saddle, a well-fitting saddle, padding, girthing, behaviour relating to issues around comfort, etc. We can tailor the talk to the groups requirements. We try to get the audience to have hands on participation (depending on group size), so as to maximise learning for the group.

If you have questions, or would like to request a clinic, please click here.

Finally, here is a link to my Saddle Fitting Terms & Conditions

Please contact me to arrange your consultation or if you have any questions.