asymetric saddle

[JackFrost]

How much asymetry is acceptable in a second hand saddle? What's ok, what's not ok? Looking at one from a well respected English saddle maker but on looking closely, the whole saddle is not quite square on the tree, so not just a flocking issue.

 

[GrassChop]

I personally wouldn't risk it. Plenty of other saddles that aren't wonky.

 

[Widgeon]

I don't think I'd accept any, unless I was fairly sure it was just unevenly compacted flocking.

 

[catkin]

Leave well alone.
It will be unusable and could wreck your horse

 

[Maxidoodle]

I wouldn’t buy it, no matter how cheap.

 

[sbloom]

I would have it assessed by a saddler, but if it's just photos they can be very deceptive, and the same is true in the flesh. Handmade tolerances mean that things can look fractionally skew when they're not. Every single complaint I've had in 14 years about a crooked saddle was overturned in an independent assessment and more than one was from a qualified saddle fitter. I'm not saying it's not a problem, far from it, but it's complicated and nuanced and ultimately only taking a saddle apart can identify why it appears crooked and whether it's significant. Even attaching a panel wrong can pull things out of whack.

 

[JackFrost]

Thanks all - it's not obviously on the wonk unless you look closely. I have it here in the flesh. The lines of the tree springs aren't central in the gullet , you can see and feel them - and there's some asymetry in the angle of the front panels, possibly caused by this ?? Riding in it it's pushing me slightly onto one seat bone. Not yet my saddle, but otherwise a good fit, so trying to decide....

 

[sbloom]

Springs can occasionally feel asymmetric without it being the tree. Front panels - asymmetric to panel attachment point, centre of pommel or welting...it's how you judge that asymmetry. I would recommend getting it checked by an experienced saddler and, as I say, ultimately you have to have it taken apart.