Meynell Saddlery in Brailsford, Ashbourne

Terrible would never use again!
Had Nicola out to fit a saddle, she had one that fitted our horse but wasn't the colour we wanted so we ordered a new saddle through her. As she had a saddle that fitted she said she would use the same sizes so basically same saddle different colour. She took the template, I paid deposit, she said should be ready around the 5th, brilliant.

The 4th comes and I've heard nothing at all, I send messages, call no answer. So decide to ring the manufacturers, they don't even know what saddle it is as she hasn't even placed the order!!! They tell me they will try and contact her and sort it out. In the mean time she advertises the saddle I tried but as a different size and denies it's the same one even though it's clearly obvious it's the same!! We all make mistakes, but just admit it and sort it out. So 1; my saddle has not even been started on yet 2; I have no idea what size my saddle should be and will it fit when it comes.

After trying multiply times to contact Nicola and getting only 2 replies that didn't add up with what the manufacturers were saying. I gave up and contacted the manufacturers directly. They never received the template from her and had to try and work out what size the saddle should be from photos I had taken of it at the time of fitting.

Silhouette Saddles are lovely but DO NOT go through Nicola at Meynell Saddlery!! Go directly to them as they will come out and fit themselves. They were very good in getting my saddle sorted in time for me and sorting out her mess. She will take your money and you will not hear from her for a long time! Extremely poor communication, paying for a service you don't receive, steer clear!

Awful experience. Had a made to measure saddle for 4 months, which didn't fit the horse. Had physio out as the saddle had made the horse sore £45. Had Nicola back out and she said it needed re-flocking - it was done there and then at my yard. A week later decided to ride in the school for, just walk and trot for 20 minutes. Horses back very sore on the opposite side to previous massage! Got another saddle fitter out to have a look what they thought - awful fit, saddle was twisted, so tight all over - they could not believe how poor the fit was. After speaking to Nicola about my concerns and how much upset the saddle had caused for the horse I just wanted a refund, this was refused, however, I was offered a brand new made to measure to be ready within the week. Silly me believed this. She came out to re-measure on the Sunday to which I was told would be ready the following Monday, Tuesday at the lastest. The following Sunday I text her to ask how the saddle was getting on to which I got ignored for 4 days. On the Thursday when she finally answered the phone, she made out the saddle wasn't quite ready. I said how unhappy I was with the service I received to finally get offered a refund.. so another week I got messed around when I could have sorted a saddle out for the horse. Worst customer service I have experienced! My horse is still very worried when a saddle goes near her. It's just awful to see.

We recently bought a saddle for our young New Forest X pony who is still growing and not easy to fit. Nicky was very helpful, knowledgeable and reasonably priced. We're very impressed by the service on offer and would use them again.

Gave Nicola of Meynell Saddlery a saddle to sell at the end of November, I rang beginning of February, she said it was sold and she would come round with the money. Never has, won't send a cheque, doesn't reply to emails. Bit worrying!

Horrendous! Good prices and nice to look at saddles but I have had issues at every step from the horrendous communication (after agreeing to go ahead and taking my money and saddle) I had to chase for updates endless no responses, couldn't pin down appointments so that I could get organised. Came out to 'fit' supposed made to measure saddle was there no longer than 10mins said it fitted without asking me to ride or anything, took rest of cash and gave no reciept, wasn't the shape I asked for but thought I'd overlook it, my mare went psychotic in it, horribly ill fitted, no clearage at whithers and pressed awfully into her shoulders, got a second opinion and they were disgusted!! Luckily my horse let me know but as the case of the other review on a placid horse this could have caused lasting damage, I'm weeks lost now and still no saddle, would never recommend.

Lovely saddles there but very disappointed with the fitter, first of all very difficult lady to contact with and always delay the visit. 6 months after buying a saddle off her, had back lady coming out and was very gobsmacked how sore my horse back was and had another saddle fitter coming out saying the saddle no where near fits him right unless he has changed a lot of shape which he hasn't really as he's 9yo. So here I am very upset and angry thinking you can trust any saddle fitter!