Can you have a different tree fitted to a saddle?

[Hippona]

As title really....

I bought a lovely saddle brand new back in August for my horse, who died suddenly a few weeks later. Its not wide enough for my new horse.

Would a saddler be able to change the tree from a MW to and XW?

Anyone had it done, and how much pls?

Cheers

 

[Shipley]

I know you can send albion saddles back to them and they will change the tree as will barnsby. I did this with Barnsby and it cost £180 for the tree I believe from memory

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Yes definately.

 

[ThePony]

Yes, with some trees, it is quite a size change so not all trees would be able to take that adjustment. It is also worth bearing in mind that it will weaken the tree.

 

[Hippona]

Yes, it is quite a change isnt it, from MW to XW....

New horse has a new saddle anyway, but I know I won't get a decent amount of money back by selling the original one on, so I thought it maybe worth getting a new tree fitted and keeping it.

 

[corrie153]

you cant physically change the tree of a saddle. The pannel and flaps are made around from the trees measurments so if you changed the whole tree the pannel, skirts,seat and flaps would not fit.

You can have the tree 'stretched' or 'narrowed'. The saddle is put in a device and pressure is applied to the tree. it then widens or narrows the tree although you can only really changes it to one size above or below the initial size.

Some saddlers will have the equipment to do this or you can send it back to the manufacturer. You must be carfull though as it will weaken your saddle and you have to be carfull that if you are widening the saddle that the bars in the waist of the tree are at the right angle.

Also try getting in contact with the saddler who fitted the saddle as I know of a few similar circumstances where the saddler has given them a refund due to the sudden death of the horse Hope this helps

 

[ThePony]

Always worth a chat to your saddler about it. Also worth thinking about the shape of the tree. They can be made wider (like a gullet change), but that won't change the essential shape of the tree. ie, if the tree is too flat or too curved - this can't be changed so not worth changing the width if the shape of the tree isn't right for the intended horse. It isn't a cheap option so you need to be sure you'll wind up with a useable saddle at the end of it! tbh if it was me I would try and sell the saddle as I would have concerns about the strength of the tree (but then I am an over worrier!!).

 

[Hippona]

Thanks for your replies.....on balance, I think I will probably sell it.