Testimonials

Manufacturer: Heritage Custom Saddlery
Model: Custom Made dressage saddle
Category: Dressage Saddles

Purchase: I had no idea last November when I set out to find a proper fitting saddle for my Amish Warmblood that it would take six months of trial and error before I realized my only option was likely to be a custom saddle. I tried 11 different saddles from the "best" makers. I worked with three saddle fitters, two of whom were full of manure. I trained myself along the way to what features were good and what were not good. Somewhere around trial saddle #7 or #8 my stubborn streak kicked in. I can thank one of the saddle fitters for setting off my heap o' stubborn; she told me I should "get used to the back pain of a wide twist because the saddle fit the mare." Um...no. I knew we could do better. I set out on a mission to find a saddle that fit me AND the mare. One day while idly perusing saddle websites I came across a saddler in the UK who made stock and custom saddles. The guy had 3000+ transactions through his store on ebay and a PERFECT feedback score. I emailed him and he got back to me immediately. We talked and then I sent him my mare's wither tracings. He was used to the issues my mare presented; wide back and deepset lat muscle that every saddle I tried impeded. We discussed attributes that I knew worked and he suggested additional options that he knew would work. I appreciated his deep knowledge of horses and saddles so pulling the trigger on the saddle was a no brainer-- I ordered the saddle. He told me it would take six weeks and right on time, my new saddle arrived six weeks later. Punchline: WE LOVE OUR NEW SADDLE! The maiden voyage was marked by a whole lot of stretching and happy sighs (I think by both me and the mare). Not only did I find the best VALUE at $1700 (!) for a saddle, it's beautiful and comfortable for me and my mare. And did I mention it was $1700US?? Delivered to my farm in Columbus, Wisconsin? I tried saddles that ranged in price from $2200 to $4500. This one can compare with any of those saddles for design and quality, hands down. Most importantly, it fits us. I will use Matt Marlow at Heritage Bespoke Saddlery again. You cannot beat the quality at any price and it fits my mare like it was made for her, because it was. Heritage has been in business a century and Matt is second or third generation saddler. He knows horses and he knows saddles. Thank you, Matt.

Likes: The saddle is beautifully constructed of fine leather, and it's the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat my tush in.
Dislikes: I don't have any dislikes.
Quality: Excellent. Top Quality workmanship.

Summary: You cannot beat the quality at twice the price! Do yourself and your horse a favor; if you have a hard to fit horse get a custom saddle from Matt. Even if you have an easy to fit horse, buy your next saddle from Matt. You'll support a small shop with high quality workmanship.Summary: You cannot beat the quality at twice the price! Do yourself and your horse a favor; if you have a hard to fit horse get a custom saddle from Matt. Even if you have an easy to fit horse, buy your next saddle from Matt. You'll support a small shop with high quality workmanship.