Can a saddler alter a saddle's balance completely?

[kit279]

A friend has been trying a saddle of mine and it seems to fit the horse well but she thinks it needs to come up a bit at the back to balance the rider properly as the horse is quite croup high. She has been using a rear riser pad but would like to get it adjusted which presumably means getting all the panels replaced and the back built up. Has anyone had this done before and know how much it would cost? It is an Ideal saddle and pretty much new so probably not worth getting a brand new saddle made to measure if the saddle can be adjusted. Thanks

 

[KatB]

Depends on the panel etc. Sometimes there is scope to add more flocking behind to lift the saddle, dependant on how much room there is in the panel and the shape of the tree. To get the panel etc replaced would be a big job, and may not work anyway as it may put the balance of the tree out..... best bet is to get hold of a good saddler who deals with Ideal and knows how to adjust on site, or can get in contact with ideal to do the adjustments if more is needed.

 

[Kallibear]

If the horse is croup high, and the saddle still needs lifted at the back, that suggests it's too high at the front, probably because it's too narrow. My croup high horse needs LESS depth at the back to balance the saddle!

Getting panels replaced is a huge job and will cost far more than it's worth. Sending it back to ideal of panels with a largeer gusset at the back would be the best bet, as they'll have the templates to make the correct sized panels. A local saddler however may be able to put a large gusset in the back.

A saddle with large gusset at the back can be flocked up more to an extent before it becomes over stuffed.

 

[soulfull]

If horse is croup (bum) high and saddle still tilting back enough that it needs a riser pad then it must be too narrow at the front.

Normally saddles can be flocked to lift a little at the back but not masses, you can lift it a little more by putting a firm foam wedge inbetween the panels at the back, but make sure they are perfectly even and in exact same place!!