KEN'S COLUMN
Second-hand isn’t always the cheapest option!
The other day I was asked if I considered that second-hand saddles represent good value. How long is a piece of string? The answer is, of course, that each saddle - and every transaction - is different.
The most quoted reason for considering purchasing a second-hand - as opposed to a new - saddle relates to finance. Second-hand are perceived as offering better value – but I would argue this is not necessarily the case. In fact, what appears to be a ‘bargain’ can be a very expensive purchase!
One important point: I would certainly rather equip a horse with a good quality, well maintained second-hand saddle that provides a good fit for the horse concerned than a badly designed new saddle - or one that has inherent manufacturing problems such as asymmetric panels. Or one that involves a design that simply doesn’t suit the horse/rider combination concerned. Or, heaven forbid, one that embraces all these problems!
Whereas the vast majority of British made saddles are well designed, the materials good and the standard of the craftsmanship high, unfortunately the same cannot be said of some cheap imports! And it is inevitable that a fair percentage of substandard saddles find their way onto the second-hand market. A poor quality saddle - new or second-hand - has very little resale value and is therefore a bad buy. A good quality saddle, on the other hand, is an excellent investment.
One of the potential risks with a second-hand saddle relates to the fact that it will have adopted the contours of the horse on which it was previously used. Thus, if the animal was substantially one-sided with asymmetric musculature, the ‘crookedness’ will be reflected in the saddle. A ‘straight’ horse equipped with an asymmetric saddle will quickly itself become one-sided – and the knock-on effects are likely to be passed on to the rider too. The problems thus created can quickly become established and, in time, a chicken and egg situation may develop making it difficult to determine whether the ‘crookedness/asymmetry’ started with the horse, the rider – or the saddle! When this happens, analysis can involve several professionals and be very costly!
It is surprising how many experienced riders are prepared to buy second-hand from a friend because they like the ‘look’ and ‘feel’ of the saddle and don’t give any thought at all to the fitting! Yes – it really does happen! Then there are those riders who equip themselves with ‘measurements’ – namely the length and width they believe corresponds to their horse’s conformation – little realising that ‘measurements’ vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and that there can be variations from one saddle to another in a specific design range. The reason for this is that saddles are made by craftsmen – not produced on a conveyor belt! Thus, each and every saddle has small variations.
Another point to bear in mind relating to whether to opt for new or second-hand relates to fitting costs. Every saddle, whether it is new or second-hand, should be fitted by a professional saddle fitter – preferably one who is qualified by the Society of Master Saddlers. Some saddle fitters don’t charge for fitting a new saddle; others impose a charge relating to the mileage involved – but certainly all will charge for fitting a second-hand saddle.
It isn’t unusual for second-hand saddles to change hands at an auction or on eBay – but what happens when the saddle simply doesn’t fit the horse for which it was purchased? There are times when the owner decides not to have the saddle fitted – but simply doesn’t recognise the very considerable inadequacies. And a saddle that fits badly can result in the horse having welfare, behavioural and performance problems. Then there are occasions when a fitting is arranged – and the saddle fitter reports that the saddle just isn’t suitable for the horse concerned! And what about the times when the saddle does fit adequately - but the rider doesn’t find it comfortable?
In conclusion; it isn’t that second-hand saddles are necessarily a bad choice – but the disadvantages need to be considered carefully – and it certainly shouldn’t always be assumed that they represent the ‘cheapest’ option. And when second-hand is preferred, it is best to purchase from a specialist retailer who can select suitable options from a wide stock range.
FOOTNOTE: Ken Lyndon-Dykes is a qualified Society of Master Saddlers’ saddle fitter whose specialities include fitting competition horses and horses with ‘difficult’ conformation. Ken is available to give talks and demonstrations and also for after-dinner speaking engagements. 01622 844440 (Saddleworld office), 07973 501873 (mobile).
