Hello everyone, I am going through a difficult situation dealing with JRD right now, and wanted to reach out for advice, suggestions, or similar experiences.
To give a little backstory, I am a relatively new horse owner - I have had my horse for just a little over a year now. When we bought him, we bought an M Toulouse that worked very well for us for about a year, but we always knew we would eventually want to get something custom. The trainer/barn I was previously at used JRD’s for almost all of the horses, and everyone seemed to really love their saddle. I was a little hesitant that a single company could offer the perfect fit for so many different shaped horses - but I trusted that my trainer would steer me towards a good product. In March I had JRD Saddlery out to fit a saddle, and measurements were taken of both my horse and I. I was given a loaner saddle to use for about two months while mine was being made. We opted to buy a used saddle and have it adjust to us rather than go full custom for budgetary reasons.
In May, my saddle was delivered. I was quite surprised when I opened it to see red piping, I had never been told or informed this is what I would be getting. While I did like it at first, I quickly became disappointed that it was so bright and stood out fairly strongly. The piping I could deal with, but there would soon be other much more serious issues. From the first time I rode in it, I felt much more movement than I expected and I also had very intense pain in my hip while posting and cantering. Additionally, It always seemed to slip very badly when mounting. Being new to riding, I assumed this was how my new ‘custom’ or ‘semi-custom’ saddle was supposed to fit, and just told myself that I needed to be more balanced.
Shortly after receiving my new saddle, I moved barns and started working with a new trainer. She quickly alerted and showed me just how poorly the saddle fit both my horse and I. She pulled another saddle from her barn, from a different brand, and I was shocked and saddened that it already fit him so much better than my saddle did. At this point, we both felt that due to the extreme slipping that it was unsafe for me to continue riding in this saddle.
On July 7th I reached out to Merhdad for the first time via text, and told him I was having issues and that I would like to schedule an appointment for him to come assess the issues. He responded and asked me to explain it again - so I did and tried to explain it better. No response. I waited four days, and sent another text requesting a saddle fitting date. No response. Wait six days, politely ask again, and he tells me to email him. We then sent a series of emails back and forth, where I kept asking for a date, and he would tell me that I’m using the wrong saddle pad - or that my stirrup leathers are wrong, and kept making what I felt were very poor excuses as to why the saddle wouldn’t fit.
While I’ve been waiting nearly 6 weeks for a date, I have sought the opinion of several professionals, We contacted two independent saddle fitters, took my saddle to a well-known consingment shop, and had my horse treated by a chriopractor. Everyone agreed immediately that the saddle didn’t fit my horse… but wait, there’s more! The horrible pain in my hips? That’s becuase the seat is way too small for me. Even though I am rather short (5’4) - I have a very long femur for my height. Even though my saddle measures to 18" - it rides more like a 17" becuase of the shape of the seat. I was told I should probably be in an 18.5/19 to accomadate my femur. All in all - the consensus is that the saddle clearly does not fit my horse, and that the seat is also several sizes too small for me.
JRD’s selling contract states that the saddle is guaranteed to fit upon delivery… so even if my horse lost or gain a ton of weight - that saddle never fit me. I’m 23, I’m definitely not growing! It also states that every saddle is entitled to one complimentary adjustment… which after waiting 6 weeks for a date, we feel that the wait has become excessive. And by saying this - I’m not saying that he offered and appointment in December and I didn’t want to wait, but I literally could not get the man the offer me ANY date that he would be available to come out to us.
At first we wanted to work with JRD to correct the saddle, but at this point we feel that with such serious issues, it’s not as simple as reflocking, and would likely need to start from scratch with a new saddle. After spending nearly four thousand dollars for something that we were measured for and told would “fit like a glove” I feel that we have been beyond patient and understanding.
Since it became clear to us that JRD was not going to come out to correct the situation, on July 25th we requested a refund for the price of the saddle. Again, there has been no response from JRD.
Does anyone have experience with a similar situation? At this point I am just so disappointed that have lost so much training time with my wonderful horse, I just want the refund so I can take it and put it towards something I can actually ride in. 
