1. Acceptance of Terms
By booking or using our saddle fitting services, you (the client) agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions in full.
2. Appointment Booking & Confirmation
Appointments are only confirmed once we have received a completed booking form and full payment of the saddle fitting consultation fee, including mileage. The consultation fee covers one saddle per horse. Any additional saddles to be checked or fitted will be charged separately.
3. Payment & Fees
Payment for the saddle fitting consultation and mileage is required in full at the time of booking to secure the appointment. Any additional charges (including adjustments, additional saddles, or saddle bank delivery/return fees) are payable in addition to the fitting fee. Any delivery, courier, or return fees for saddle bank or sourced saddles must be settled before the end of the appointment, unless otherwise agreed in advance.
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required for all new saddle orders, with the remaining balance payable prior to delivery or collection.
4. Cancellation & Rescheduling
A minimum of 72 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Cancellations with less than 72 hours’ notice may incur a 50% charge.
Failure to attend (no-shows) may be charged at 100% of the appointment fee.
5. Appointment Timing
Please allow 30 minutes either side of your scheduled appointment time.
Saddle fitting appointments typically take 1.5–2 hours and clients must ensure sufficient time is available.
6. Horse & Rider Requirements
Horses must be clean, dry, and with hooves picked out prior to the appointment. Horses should be presented in their usual bridle, with the usual rider present, including any regular sharers where relevant.All usual tack and equipment must be available, including girth and saddle pad. A thin, cotton, shaped numnah is recommended.Horses will need to be seen ridden, and clients must be prepared to ride unless otherwise agreed in advance.
7. Rider Safety & Responsibility
Horses can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous animals. The decision to wear protective equipment (including hat, gloves, body protector, etc.) remains entirely with the client. The client accepts full responsibility and liability for any injury or accident occurring during the fitting session. Clients are expected to hold adequate rider insurance and third-party liability cover for themselves and their horse(s).
8. Scope & Limitations of Saddle Fitting
Saddle fitting recommendations reflect the horse’s shape, way of going, and condition at the time of assessment only. Horses change shape due to factors including workload, fitness, diet, age, and season. Ongoing monitoring and follow-up fittings are the client’s responsibility. A saddle may be suggested or shortlisted prior to an appointment; however, no saddle can be guaranteed to fit until it has been assessed in person on both horse and rider.
9. Saddle Bank & Sourced Saddles
Where saddles are sourced from a saddle bank or third-party supplier, the specific saddle(s) must be agreed with the client before ordering. Saddles suggested in advance are not guaranteed to fit until assessed during the fitting appointment. The client is responsible for all delivery, courier, and return costs associated with saddle bank or sourced saddles, regardless of outcome. Return fees must be paid in full before the end of the fitting session, unless otherwise agreed in advance. Saddle bank saddles remain the property of the saddle bank or supplier unless purchased. Delivery and return costs are non-refundable. We cannot be held responsible for delays, loss, or damage caused by third-party couriers or suppliers.
10. Horse Welfare & Veterinary Matters
Saddle fitters are not veterinary professionals and do not diagnose medical conditions.
If a horse appears uncomfortable, sore, or unsound, the appointment may be paused or adapted, and veterinary advice should be sought before proceeding.
11. Complaints & Concerns
Any concerns should be raised with the saddle fitter at the time of the appointment wherever possible to allow immediate resolution. If concerns remain, please email full details to sowerbysaddlefitting@gmail.com.
Cooling-Off Period – Saddle Sales
Non-Bespoke Saddles
Where a non-bespoke (standard / off-the-shelf) saddle is sold to a consumer at a distance or off-premises (including during a saddle fitting appointment), the client has the legal right to cancel the purchase within 14 days of receiving the saddle, in accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
To exercise the right to cancel, the client must notify us in writing (email is acceptable) within the 14-day period.
The saddle must be returned in unused, clean, and resalable condition, with no marks, damage, or alterations, and with all original fittings, tags, and accessories.
The client is responsible for all return postage, courier, and insurance costs, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Any outward delivery charges are non-refundable.
Saddle fitting consultation fees, mileage, and any adjustment or flocking fees are non-refundable, as these relate to services already provided.
Bespoke / Made-to-Measure Saddles
Saddles that are bespoke, made-to-measure, customised, or specially ordered to the client’s or horse’s specification are exempt from the 14-day cooling-off period and cannot be cancelled, returned, or refunded once the order has been placed.
This includes, but is not limited to, saddles ordered in specific tree widths, panel configurations, seat sizes, leather types, colours, or other non-standard specifications.
Deposits for New Saddle Orders
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total saddle price is required at the time of placing any new saddle order.
No new saddle order will be placed with the manufacturer or supplier until the deposit has been received in full.
For bespoke, made-to-measure, or customised saddles, the 50% deposit is non-refundable once the order has been placed, as the saddle is manufactured to the client’s specification.
