Horse Tack Review
Smith Worthington
Danzig
Dressage Saddles
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Manufacturer: Smith Worthington (View all products by Smith Worthington)
Model: Danzig (View all Danzig reviews)
Category: Dressage Saddles
Purchase: A few years back I bought a new Smith Worthington Danzig 18 Buffalo Leather saddle via Prudence Heaney at Two Time Tack. I spent $4,800 on it, and an additional $200 for leathers (that buckled low). The saddle never sat stable on the horse she fitted it for. I sent the saddle back six times (via Prudence Heaney), at an additional $200/adjustment (I think shipping was an additional $75). So in my mind, I have spent $6,650 with Smith Worthington to no avail. The saddle is useless to me because it continually rocked on the horse. Eventually I bought a second saddle for the same horse again from Prudence Heaney, a Black Country for $3,200. She recommended something she called a Freedom Tree. This saddle too never sat stable. Fast forward I have bought six (6) saddles from Prudence, with the Smith Worthington a constant reminder and frustration. At her bequest too I graciously lent her my saddles when she was showing as samples. Than after yet another argument with Prudence about the Smith Worthington, my patience came to an end. I moved over to another saddle fitter. The new saddle fitter adjusted the Black Country and it now does not rock. That said the new saddle fitter shook her head and tut/tutted, and told me that the Smith Worthington would never have fit the horse the tree was much/much too wide. The horse is an 15.2 Appendix Quarter Horse. The SW is an XW with a Wide Twist. Last fall another friend told me of a reseller who specializes in Smith Worthington Saddles in Pennsylvania. I took the saddle up to them, and was told point blank that the saddle I paid $4,800 was worthless because the tree was much too large even for a Warmblood or a Draft Cross. When I told her who fitted it and for what type of horse she burst out laughing. Needless to say I was distressed. Along the way I asked Prudence Heaney to resell the saddle, asked Smith Worthington for assistance also, to no avail. A colleague pointed out to me that Smith Worthington has a customer satisfaction guarantee, so I reached out to them, hoping for help. I was told that the guarantee is only available if you bought the saddle directly from them and not via one of their approved retailers.
Likes: The Buffalo leather is nice but the fit was horrible
Dislikes: The saddle never sat level on the horse. Not criticizing the manufacturer, to a point. They should have reputable people fitting/retailing their saddles.
Quality: Saddle itself is fine
Summary: Do not buy a saddle from Prudence Heaney at Two Time Tack. I am also suggesting that perhaps Smith Worthington should stand behind their guarantee. I will never buy another Smith Worthington, nor will I ever recommend one due to this.
Rating: 1
Author: Amy
Date: 2013-07-25
Usefulness Rating: 4 out of 5.
2 reader(s) voted.
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