I’m thinking of ordering a brand new custom County saddle, but have heard so many horrible stories lately about the brand, including unqualified reps, poor customer service, long delays in production, wrong stamps on the saddle, wrong measurements, and even getting a brand new saddle that doesn’t fit or is not what should have been ordered and County not caring or helping at all to fix the situation. Anyone else heard of these experiences or had similar experiences? The saddles are very nice, but it’s hard to justify paying so much $$$$ for a new one if the process could end up being such a nightmare. Should I just look for a used County saddle on Trumbull Mountain, Pelham Saddlery, or MD Tack Exchange instead? Or not even bother with County and try a different brand?
I’m very happy with my used County, but several people in my barn have had bad experiences with their custom-ordered County saddles in the past year. You can PM me for more details. I think they are very good saddles, but your experience with getting a new one is going to depend a lot on the rep in your area.
I would agree with Gardenhorse: the rep is key.
I have two Countys now: one ordered “custom” from an excellent rep; the other bought new from another rep.
The dressage saddle which was ordered and fit by the great rep fits both horse and human like a dream, and is going strong 10 years later. The jumping saddle fits well now, after it was finally determined it needed a shimmed half pad –– which a new saddle bought specifically to fit a horse, should not require.
Although my horse is happy and moves well in the jumping saddle, the experience of buying it was problematic. Instead of bringing a load of potentially suitable saddles to the fitting and having us try them, the fitter would come out with one or two at a time –– and charging $50 per trip. When a saddle was determined to require more loft or clearance, it would be adjusted and stuffed on the spot, to hopefully fit. This happened several times with a couple of saddles. The rep should have simply accepted and divulged that the saddles weren’t a perfect fit, and could not be adjusted.
Buying my dressage saddle was an absolutely fantastic experience. The rep was experienced and knowledgable. She talked me out of the more expensive model, pointing out where and why it wasn’t the best for me. It was measured to fit me and my horse, and arrived at the prescribed time meeting my expectations.
A used County is also a good idea. I bought an AP (Eventer) used. Loved it, had it for 8 years and just sold it last year.
I really like County saddles but I get the impression that most new semi custom saddles are hit or miss as to whether the rep is competent. I would ask around for references on your local rep, or shop second hand and use an independent saddle fitter.
That said, no brand fits every horse. My horse is a good match for County and Passier, which is a big part of why I like them.
My experience with County is quite old and bad. I’ve bought at least 1 more saddle since then, never considered County nor will I in the future.
I have bought 2 custom saddles. Neither were County. Neither fit the horse even when measured by the owner of the saddle company. Easily $9k lost.
I will only buy a saddle that I can put on the horse and ride in it…THEN I write the check.
I ordered a County in 2009. They sent me the wrong colour, the problem was correct, they had to make me a new saddle. It waited a VERY long time waiting for two saddles to be made. It wasn’t a small colour mixup, like a slightly different shade of brown. I ordered a black jumping saddle, got sent a light brown. I had a great rep who fixed it, but wasn’t thrilled. I have not ordered from them since then but I do love my county, see what’s out there for used first?
Brand name custom saddles are only semi custom. You choose from an array of options, the saddle isn’t built from scratch like some of the handicraft Western saddle makers.
And like new cars they lose value fast in the first couple of years even if they are in great shape.
Because no brand fits all horses but reps need the commission, it’s not unknown for a rep to push a saddle that will never be an optimum fit for your horse.
I think County saddles are excellent but I want to always buy used or demo or otherwise already made saddles.
It can take a while to find your saddle that way but then ordering returning ordering again can take a long time too!
I just ordered a new County Epiphany and am excitedly waiting for it!
I bought a demo County Innovation in 2009, and have a used Perfection that I bought on Ebay. My fitter (VA) is great and she even helped me with the used Perfection (I sent her the serial number and she confirmed the saddle should fit me and my horse prior to my purchasing it).
I’ve been very happy with County but I haven’t had any issues that needed to be resolved.
I used the local County rep for basic adjustments to a used County saddle. She was the most expense fitter I’ve ever used and did not seem like she’d been doing saddle fitting for very long. I’ll never use her again.
I love County saddles but I’d only buy them used.
I know nothing about County except that a friend at the barn has one which was custom fit and modified for her. She spent a lot of money on it, and simply hates it (it fits the horse great but not her, or vice versa). And now she cannot seem to sell it.
