BUYING a saddle is probably one of the biggest investments a horse owner will have to make - second only to buying the horse itself.

As with any big investment, it pays to get the best advice from an expert - in this case a Society of Master Saddlers qualified saddle fitter.

Not only will this ensure the hundreds of pounds will be spent on a saddle which fits the horse, it will mean the horse can work comfortably and soundly. A badly fitted saddle can cause all sorts of problems for horse and rider, including lameness and chronic back problems for the horse.

"There are so many things to take into account," said Michael Burleigh, one of only 160 qualified Master Saddle Fitters in the country. He is also proprietor of the Horse Boutique at Kingsland. "If you have a new saddle it will mould to the shape of the horse's back and we flock with pure new wool to allow that. But, to start with, there is a huge range of saddles, which I have access to and can advise on for each horse and rider.

"On top of that, if necessary, it is possible to have a made-to-measure saddle. Firstly we fit the tree to the horse. That is like the chassis of the saddle. There are 360 different types and I have 100 I can choose from. Firstly we put that on and get a good fit then the rest of the saddle fits around that.

"We also re-flock or re-level the saddle at a later date as all horses are slightly one-sided - as are riders very often - sometimes the flocking will settle and need adjusting slightly to maintain a good fit."

Training to become a Society of Master Saddlers-qualified fitter is rigorous. Mr Burleigh qualified four years ago after first qualifying as a saddle maker.

"There are not many people who have both qualifications," he said. To become a fitter is quite difficult. In the year I passed, about 200 people applied and only six passed."

His training began with a three-year course to become a master saddler, followed by an apprenticeship and six exams. To become a fitter meant another exam where his work was scrutinized by another qualified saddle fitter.

"There is really only one way to learn and that is through experience," said Mr Burleigh. "There are no books on it. It is just a matter of fitting lots of different shapes."

Mr Burleigh certainly has experience. As Herefordshire's only Society of Master Saddlers-qualified saddle fitter, he can see up to three horses a day in the spring and early summer. Investing in a good saddle and saddle fitter will always pay in the long run.

Looked after properly, a well-designed, well-made leather saddle holds its value very well and can easily outlast the lifetime of the horse.