Terms and Conditions

 

The Saddle Fitting Therapist

Last Updated: January 2026

These Terms of Service and Client Agreement ("Terms") apply to all appointments, saddle fitting services, physical therapy treatments, saddle sales, saddle adjustments, reflocking, repairs and any other products or services supplied by The Saddle Fitting Therapist.

By booking an appointment, paying a booking deposit or purchasing any product or service, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms.

1. Our Services

The Saddle Fitting Therapist provides professional saddle fitting, physical therapy and associated equine services.

Our recommendations are based upon the horse, rider and equipment presented at the time of the appointment.

Our assessments represent our professional opinion and do not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Where veterinary attention is considered necessary, we reserve the right to postpone or decline treatment until veterinary advice has been sought.

2. Booking & Deposits

A €30 non-refundable booking deposit is required to secure every appointment.

A single deposit applies to the appointment as a whole, regardless of the number of services booked.

Bookings are not confirmed until the deposit has been received.

Deposits are:

• Non-refundable

• Non-transferable

• Not redeemable for cash

• Not transferable as account credit

• ​

Should you choose to cancel your appointment, a new deposit will be required to secure another booking.

3. Payment

The remaining balance is payable on the day of your appointment.

Additional services requested during the appointment, including flocking, adjustments, repairs or additional consultations, will incur additional charges.

Payment may be made by:

• Cash

• Bank Transfer

• Revolut

All prices are subject to change without notice. The price confirmed at the time of booking will apply to that appointment.

4. Travel Fees

Appointments within our 10km radius are included within our normal call-out charge.

Appointments outside this area may incur an additional travel fee, which will always be confirmed before your booking is accepted.

Where several clients are booked at the same location or nearby area, travel costs may be shared between clients at our discretion.

Travel fees remain payable where an appointment cannot proceed due to circumstances within the client's control.

5. Cancellations & Rescheduling

We require a minimum of 48 hours' notice to cancel or rearrange an appointment.

Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice will be charged in full.

Deposits remain non-refundable.

We reserve the right to postpone or reschedule appointments where we are unable to attend due to severe weather, official weather warnings, illness, vehicle breakdown, road closures or any other event beyond our reasonable control.

In these circumstances, clients will be offered the next mutually convenient appointment, and any booking deposit will be transferred to the rearranged booking.

6. Preparing for Your Appointment

Clients are responsible for ensuring that:

• Horses are clean and dry.

• Horses have not been worked immediately before the appointment unless agreed beforehand.

• Saddles and tack are available.

• Suitable riding facilities are available where required.

• Someone is available to ride if requested.

• Someone is available to assist if required.

• Dogs remain under control throughout the appointment.

Please advise us before your appointment if your horse has:

• Veterinary conditions

• Ongoing treatment

• Medication

• Behavioural concerns

• A tendency to kick, bite or rear

7. Suitable Facilities

Clients are responsible for providing a safe and suitable working environment.

Suitable shelter is recommended wherever possible.

If poor weather, unsafe footing, inadequate facilities or any other circumstance prevents the appointment from being carried out safely or effectively, we reserve the right to postpone or discontinue the appointment.

Where the appointment cannot proceed due to unsuitable facilities or inadequate preparation, the appointment time will be deemed fulfilled and the applicable fee remains payable.

8. Horse Welfare

Horse welfare always takes priority.

We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue any appointment where a horse appears:

• Lame

• Unwell

• Unsafe

• Excessively stressed

• Unsuitable for assessment or treatment

Where veterinary attention is required before continuing, we will advise accordingly.

9. Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is intended to complement veterinary care and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Results will vary depending upon the horse, rider, management, workload and compliance with aftercare advice.

Unless otherwise advised, horses should receive a minimum of 24 hours' rest following physical therapy.

10. Saddle Fitting

Saddle fitting is a professional assessment based on the horse, rider and equipment presented at the time of the appointment.

Every recommendation is made using the information available on the day and reflects the horse's shape, condition, musculature, movement and way of going at that specific time.

As horses naturally change throughout their lives, saddle fit will also change over time. Changes may occur as a result of, but are not limited to:

 

• Weight gain or weight loss

• Muscle development or muscle atrophy (wastage)

• Changes in body condition

• Age and maturity

• Changes in workload or fitness

• Rehabilitation following injury or illness

• Veterinary conditions or treatment

• Lameness

• Changes in management, diet or turnout

• Seasonal changes affecting body condition

• Pregnancy or foaling (where applicable)

While every effort will be made to find the most suitable saddle from the stock available at the time of your appointment, we cannot guarantee that a suitable saddle will always be identified or available.

Our recommendations are based on:

• The horse presented on the day.

• The rider and their requirements.

• The saddles available at the time of the appointment.

• Our professional assessment and experience.

Recommendations are valid only for the horse's condition at the time of assessment and should not be relied upon indefinitely. If your horse's shape, condition, musculature, workload or circumstances change, or if a significant period has passed since your previous appointment, a new saddle fitting assessment should be arranged before relying on previous recommendations.

The Saddle Fitting Therapist cannot accept responsibility where saddle fit changes as a result of the horse's natural development, changes in condition, muscle development or atrophy, weight fluctuations, injury, illness or any other changes occurring after the original assessment.

11. Saddle Maintenance & Ongoing Fit

We strongly recommend that every horse has its saddle professionally checked at least every six months, or sooner following significant changes in condition, workload or health.

Clients remain responsible for monitoring their horse's comfort, behaviour and physical condition between appointments.

Failure to arrange regular saddle checks may result in the saddle no longer fitting correctly, and The Saddle Fitting Therapist cannot accept responsibility for changes occurring after the original assessment.

12. Saddle Adjustments, Reflocking & Repairs

Adjustments, reflocking and repairs are charged separately unless otherwise agreed.

Following a complete reflock, a follow-up fitting appointment is required after the flocking has settled.

If a saddle is collected without this follow-up fitting, we cannot accept responsibility for any subsequent fitting issues.

Pads, shims and gullet bars form part of the prescribed saddle fit and should not be altered without professional advice.

13. Saddle Sourcing

The Saddle Fitting Therapist is not a saddle sourcing service.

During your consultation we will recommend suitable saddles from the stock available at the time of your appointment.

Whilst we are happy to advise on suitable makes, models and fitting requirements, we do not locate or source specific saddles for clients.

If a suitable saddle is not available during your appointment, it remains the client's responsibility to source suitable alternatives should they wish to pursue further fitting.

Due to the nature of the second-hand market, individual budgets and constantly changing stock, we cannot guarantee the future availability of any saddle.

14. New, Used & Custom Saddles

Custom-made or made-to-measure saddles require a 50% non-refundable deposit before manufacture begins.

The remaining balance is payable upon collection or delivery.

New saddles remain subject to the manufacturer's warranty where applicable.

Second-hand and ex-demonstration saddles are thoroughly inspected prior to sale and are sold as seen and inspected.

Clients are given the opportunity to inspect all saddles before purchase.

Cosmetic wear consistent with age and previous use should be expected on second-hand saddles.

15. Damaged, Twisted or Unrepairable Saddles

Every saddle presented for fitting or adjustment will first be assessed for safety.

If, in our professional opinion, a saddle is broken, twisted, structurally compromised or beyond safe repair, we reserve the right to refuse to continue working with that saddle.

We accept no responsibility for pre-existing damage or damage occurring after a saddle has left our possession.

This applies equally to saddles purchased from us and saddles purchased elsewhere.

Where a saddle previously purchased from us is later found to be damaged, responsibility rests with the owner unless the issue is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Damage resulting from accidents, misuse, incorrect storage, wear and tear, third-party alterations or circumstances beyond our control remains the responsibility of the owner.

Where a fitting appointment has been booked and the saddle is found to be unsafe or unsuitable, the consultation fee remains payable.

A damaged or structurally compromised saddle should not be ridden in until professionally repaired or replaced.

16. No Trade-Ins or Buy-Backs

The Saddle Fitting Therapist does not offer a trade-in or buy-back service.

This applies to all saddles, including those originally purchased from The Saddle Fitting Therapist.

Due to our continually changing stock, limited storage capacity and business requirements, we are unable to purchase back or accept saddles in part exchange.

If your horse requires a different saddle in the future, it remains your responsibility to sell or otherwise rehome your existing saddle.

The purchase of a saddle from The Saddle Fitting Therapist does not create any obligation for us to repurchase, exchange or accept that saddle as part payment towards another saddle.

17. Third-Party Alterations

To ensure continued saddle fit and safety, we recommend that future adjustments, reflocking and repairs are carried out by The Saddle Fitting Therapist.

We cannot accept responsibility for the fit or safety of any saddle that has been altered, reflocked or repaired by a third party.

Any third-party alterations may invalidate future fitting support or recommendations previously provided.

18. Photography & Clinical Records

Photographs and video recordings may be taken during appointments for clinical records and saddle fitting assessments.

Images will never be used for marketing or promotional purposes without your permission.

19. Liability

Horses are inherently unpredictable animals.

Clients remain responsible for their horse, rider, spectators and property throughout the appointment.

Clients must provide a safe working environment.

Nothing within these Terms excludes or limits liability where such liability cannot legally be excluded.

20. Refunds, Returns & Consumer Rights

Professional services, including saddle fitting consultations, physical therapy appointments, assessments and call-out fees, are non-refundable once the service has been provided.

Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights under applicable consumer protection legislation.

New Saddles & Products

New saddles and products are covered by the relevant manufacturer's warranty where applicable. If a manufacturing fault arises, we will work with you and the manufacturer to resolve the issue in accordance with the warranty terms.

Custom & Made-to-Measure Saddles

Custom-made and made-to-measure saddles are manufactured specifically to the client's requirements. Once an order has been placed, deposits are non-refundable and these saddles cannot be returned or exchanged unless required by applicable consumer law.

Second-Hand & Ex-Demonstration Saddles

All second-hand and ex-demonstration saddles are thoroughly inspected prior to sale and sold as seen and inspected.

Clients are given the opportunity to inspect each saddle and satisfy themselves as to its condition before purchase.

As these are pre-owned products, cosmetic wear and signs of previous use should be expected and do not constitute faults.

Once purchased, second-hand and ex-demonstration saddles are not eligible for refunds, returns or exchanges because of a change of mind or a change in the horse's requirements, subject to any statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded.

As horses naturally change shape over time due to age, fitness, workload, rehabilitation, weight fluctuations and muscle development, a saddle that was suitable at the time of fitting may no longer be appropriate in the future. This does not entitle the client to a refund, exchange, replacement or buy-back.

21. Privacy

Client information, veterinary history, photographs and treatment records will be stored and processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

Information will only be shared with veterinary surgeons or other treating professionals where appropriate and, where necessary, with the client's consent.

22. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for delays or cancellations caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, flooding, road closures, vehicle breakdown, illness, infectious disease outbreaks or other unforeseen events.

23. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Ireland.

Any dispute arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts.

Acceptance

By booking an appointment, paying a booking deposit, purchasing a product or accepting any service from The Saddle Fitting Therapist, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms of Service and Client Agreement.