Master Saddler Mark Fisher is a Society of Master Saddlers Master Saddle Fitter who regularly lectures and assesses for the SMS. Mark was very fortunate to be employed as the official Master Saddler of London 2012 Olympic games.
Diana Fisher is also a Society of Master Saddlers Master Saddle Fitter and Bridle Fitter. They both work on site here at Woolcroft in our ménage and undercover fitting area if the weather necessitates it.
Or they can come out to you at your yard or suitable premises. In their custom adapted vans with workbench they can carry out any required minor alterations and repairs on site or if need be bring them back to the workshop.
They has a plentiful stock of both New Leather and Synthetic saddles as well as a range of second hand.We stock new saddles by:
Fairfax • Ideal • Thorowgood • Kent & Masters • Bates • Country • Albion • Walsall Riding • Jefferies • Fieldhouse • Dever • Kieffer • Hastilow Competition Saddles •
Saddle Fitting Prices
Saddle fitting from £60 per horse plus 50p a mile within a 40 mile radius.
If there is more than 1 fitting at a yard then it is £55 per horse plus shared travel at 50p per mile. If you come to Woolcroft for a saddle fit it is £55 per horse.
If we take on a new customer or horse, there is a £70 initial consultation fee.
Please note, in the unlikely or unfortunate event of failing to find a suitable saddle during your appointment, a fee will be required in compensation for time.
For more information or to arrange a new saddle fitting or check fitting of a current saddle please leave a message for Mark in the shop on 01945 588333, and his secretary can book you in to the diary.
Your Saddle Fit
Planning ahead and providing the 'right' facilities helps the saddle fitter to give the best possible service. Ideally you should fulfil the following criteria:
A FLAT, HARD SURFACEwhere the horse can be stood up and run up in hand.
AN AREA WHERE THE HORSE CAN BE RIDDEN. When the horse is kept at livery or in training yard or similar, this may mean pre-booking the use of the school or menege. Saddle fitting can take a considerable time and the saddle fitter is likely to want the horse owner to ride in a number of short-listed saddles, an essentially important part of the fitting procedure. It is better to overbook than to find time is running out. Make certain the arena is ready on time and in good workable condition.
SHOW JUMPS/CROSS COUNTRY FENCES. If you are opting for a saddle designed specifically for dressage, polo or showing it is very unlikely you will be wanting to use the saddle for jumping! If you are considering purchasing a saddle that will involve jumping, it is essential to ride over a few fences. Make certain that these are erected before the arrival of the saddle fitter: it is an irritating waste of time if jump stands and poles have to be moved during the fitting processes.
RIDER'S PRESENCE. Although this will appear remarkably obvious to the vast majority of riders, it is a fact that some believe their presence isn't a necessary factor! Occasionally horses are 'shared' or ridden regularly by more than one person and, in this case, both riders should be present. (In such cases the saddle fitter will have in mind a list of priorities: the horse followed by the larger/taller rider. When riders of substantially differing physiques are involved there is necessarily a degree of compromise but fitting the horse will always remain the top priority - and will NEVER be compromised). We will only fit a saddle without it being ridden in under certain circumstances as this will only provide a static evaluation. This must therefore be followed by a further saddle fitting with the rider on board as soon as it is avaliable to do so.
BE SUITABLY ATTIRED. Sometimes clients are unsuitably dressed. Jeans and trainers are always inadequate and they certainly aren't the most comfortable clothes in which to try out short-listed saddles!. (nb: The Society of Master Saddlers always advocates that riders wear a correctly adjusted and well fitting riding hat).
EXAMPLES OF NUMNAHS, GEL PADS, ETC. The Society of Master Saddlers generally cautions that the well fitting saddle does not require the addition of anything under it with the possible exception of a thin saddle cloth. There are, however, exceptions to every rule. When there is a valid reason for using a numnah or gel pad the saddle fitter will need to allow for the addition in exactly the same way that you take into account wearing extra thick socks or in-soles with a pair of well-fitting new shoes. Many dressage riders like to make use of a riser pad under the saddle. While occasionally being temporarily beneficial, in general a riser pad tends to unbalance the well-fitting saddle and, in extreme cases, can be the cause of serious problems. Always discuss possible use with the saddle fitter concerned.
HAVE YOUR OWN STIRRUP LEATHERS AND GIRTH AVAILABLE. The saddle fitter will be carrying girths of various types and sizes but it is a good idea to have your own available (although, in some instances, it may not be the correct type and length for the saddle you are purchasing). Using your own stirrup leathers is generally more comfortable and avoids the possibility of the saddle fitter's new leathers becoming marked and therefore difficult to sell.
PRESENTING A WELL GROOMED ANIMAL ISN'T MERELY A COSMETIC EXERCISE. The saddle fitter would obviously prefer to preserve the condition of his new saddles but, in addition, the marks left on the well groomed horse's back after removal of the saddle are significant because they indicate bearing surfaces and further identify unwanted movement. When the horse is ill-groomed, the marks left by the saddle may be blurred or indistinguishable.
