How Does a Saddle Trial Work? Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
How Does a Saddle Trial Work? Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
One of the most common questions riders ask when buying a saddle online is:
"Can I try the saddle before I commit to buying it?"
The answer at The Saddle Bank is yes.
In fact, that's exactly why we offer our 5 Day UK Trial.
Here at The Saddle Bank, we buy and sell over 4,000 saddles every year, stock more than 1,700 saddles from over 50 leading saddle brands, and have earned over 2,500 reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars. We know that even the most experienced saddle fitter cannot guarantee fit from photographs alone.
Every horse is different.
That's why thousands of riders use our trial service every year to assess a saddle properly before making a final decision.
If you're wondering how a saddle trial works, what happens during the trial period, and what to do if the saddle isn't right, this guide explains everything you need to know.
Why Saddle Trials Matter
Buying a saddle is different from buying most other equestrian products.
A saddle may look perfect on paper.
It may be the correct seat size, the correct width fitting, the correct brand and the correct model.
But until it sits on your horse, nobody can know with complete certainty how it will fit.
This is why professional saddle fitters always recommend assessing a saddle on the horse whenever possible.
A saddle trial allows you to:
✓ Assess fit on your horse
✓ Consult your saddle fitter
✓ Evaluate comfort and balance
✓ Compare against your current saddle
✓ Make a confident buying decision
Without a trial period, you're often relying on guesswork.
With a trial, you're making a decision based on real-world fit.
How The Saddle Bank 5 Day UK Trial Works
We've designed our trial process to be simple and straightforward.
Step 1: Choose Your Saddle
Browse our stock of over 1,700 saddles online and select a saddle that suits your requirements.
Each listing includes:
- Detailed photographs
- Accurate measurements
- Saddle condition information
- Brand and model details
If you're unsure which saddle might suit your horse, our team is always available to help guide you.
Step 2: Place Your Order
Once you've chosen your saddle, simply complete your purchase online.
Your saddle will be shipped directly to you, allowing you to assess it in your own environment.
Many customers appreciate being able to evaluate a saddle at home rather than making a decision based solely on photographs.
Step 3: Receive Your Saddle
When your saddle arrives, your 5 Day Trial begins.
This gives you time to:
- Place the saddle on your horse
- Assess overall fit
- Consult your saddle fitter
- Check balance and clearance
- Compare it to your existing saddle
The trial period is designed to give you enough time to make an informed decision without feeling rushed.
Step 4: Decide Whether to Keep It
If you're happy with the saddle and it works well for both horse and rider, simply keep it and enjoy your new purchase.
No further action is required.
Thousands of customers successfully find their next saddle through our trial process every year.
Step 5: Return It If It's Not Right
If the saddle isn't suitable, simply return it within the trial period in accordance with our trial terms.
Not every saddle fits every horse.
That's completely normal.
The purpose of the trial is to give you the confidence to make the right decision without being stuck with a saddle that doesn't work for your horse.
What Happens If the Saddle Doesn't Fit?
This is probably the biggest concern riders have when buying online.
Fortunately, it's also exactly why the trial exists.
If the saddle isn't suitable, you can return it and continue your search.
Our team can often suggest alternative options based on the feedback you receive from your saddle fitter.
Because we stock over 1,700 saddles, many customers who return one trial saddle quickly find a more suitable alternative.
The process is designed to reduce risk and increase confidence.
Can I Have My Saddle Fitter Assess the Saddle?
Absolutely.
In fact, we actively encourage it.
A saddle fitter can help assess:
- Tree width
- Panel contact
- Balance
- Clearance
- Overall suitability for your horse
Many customers arrange a saddle fitting appointment during their trial period to ensure they're making the best possible decision.
The trial gives you the opportunity to involve your chosen professional before committing to ownership.
Why We Believe Saddle Trials Are Essential
One of the biggest misconceptions in the saddle industry is that fit can be guaranteed remotely.
The reality is that even horses of similar breed, age and build can require completely different saddles.
That's why we've built our buying process around giving customers the opportunity to assess a saddle properly.
Rather than expecting customers to take a gamble, we believe riders should have the chance to make an informed decision based on how the saddle performs on their horse.
It's one of the reasons why so many riders choose The Saddle Bank over private sellers.
Buying Privately vs Buying Through a Trial
| Private Seller | The Saddle Bank |
|---|---|
| Usually no trial period | 5 Day UK Trial |
| Often final sale | Return option if unsuitable |
| One saddle available | Over 1,700 saddles in stock |
| Limited support | Expert saddle specialists |
| Unknown saddle condition | Professionally inspected saddles |
| No warranty | 6 Month Tree Warranty on eligible saddles |
When viewed side by side, it's easy to understand why more riders are choosing specialist retailers when buying second hand saddles online.
Why Riders Trust The Saddle Bank
We've built our reputation on helping riders buy and sell saddles with confidence.
Why customers choose us:
✓ Over 4,000 saddles bought and sold every year
✓ Over 1,700 saddles in stock
✓ Over 50 leading saddle brands
✓ Over 2,500 reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars
✓ 5 Day UK Trial
✓ 6 Month Tree Warranty on eligible second hand saddles
✓ Professional saddle inspections before sale
✓ Detailed photography and accurate measurements
✓ Finance options available
✓ Part exchange available
✓ Worldwide shipping
✓ Expert support from experienced saddle specialists
Our goal is simple: make buying a saddle online as safe, transparent and straightforward as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is The Saddle Bank saddle trial?
Every saddle listed for sale on The Saddle Bank website includes our 5 Day UK Trial, giving you time to assess fit and suitability before making a final decision.
Can I have my saddle fitter assess the saddle during the trial?
Absolutely. Many customers arrange a saddle fitting appointment during their trial period to ensure the saddle is suitable for both horse and rider.
What if my saddle fitter says the saddle isn't suitable?
That's exactly what the trial is for. If the saddle isn't right for your horse, you can return it within the trial period in accordance with our trial policy.
Do all saddles come with a trial?
All saddles listed for sale on The Saddle Bank website include our 5 Day UK Trial.
The only exception is special order saddles that are specifically ordered in for a customer and are not part of our normal website stock.
If a saddle is available to purchase on our website, you can buy with confidence knowing you'll have the opportunity to assess it properly before making a final decision.
What happens after I return a saddle?
Once your saddle is returned to us, it will be inspected to ensure it has been returned in the same condition it was sent out.
Following inspection, your refund will be processed. The refund amount will be the purchase price of the saddle, less the return courier fee and our £10 trial fee.
Refunds are typically returned to your original payment method within up to 5 working days, although this can vary slightly depending on your bank or card provider.
If you have any questions during the return process, our team is always happy to help.
Final Thoughts
Buying a saddle online doesn't have to involve taking a risk.
A proper saddle trial allows you to assess fit, seek professional advice and make a confident decision before committing to ownership.
At The Saddle Bank, we've helped thousands of riders find the right saddle through our 5 Day UK Trial process.
Combined with our professional inspections, extensive stock, expert support and 6 Month Tree Warranty on eligible second hand saddles, it's one of the reasons riders across the UK trust us when buying a saddle online.
Whether you're searching for your first saddle, upgrading to a premium brand or trying to find the perfect fit for your horse, our trial process gives you the confidence to buy safely and make the right choice.
Browse our current saddle stock today and discover why thousands of riders choose The Saddle Bank every year when searching for their next saddle.
