Can you widen a saddle?

muckypony

muckypony

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As title really, I have a really lovely saddle (no idea on make, was just second-hand), it is comfortable and looks really smart on him. However, as he is only 6, he is constantly getting wider and it's slightly too narrow now. I know that if I get a new one, I'll be in the same position in a years time.

I know that certain makes of saddle have adjustable trees, but is there any way to widen a normal saddle without damaging it anywhere else?
 
My saddle fitter widened my saddle slightly for the same reason as yours - I think it can void the warranty on the tree though and make them slightly more liable to cracking so wouldn't want to do it with a newer saddle. However if it's a second hand saddle that you'd like to keep using then go for it.
 
Not if the tree isn't adjustable. If the tree is rigid all that can be done is reflocking, maybe widen the gullet but he is still going to be pinched at the withers. Have you taken it to a saddlers to let them look at the tree?
 
Ask your saddler to look. Mine has a machine that can widen trees, and said most, but not all, trees can be adjusted - not a narrow to an X-wide, but certainly there is some adjustment that can be done.
 
My saddler will widen the tree, you have to pay for insurance. Which means if the tree cracks it will be replaced for free. He has done it to both of my saddles.
 
Ok thanks all.

Those that have had it done - has the tree cracked on yours? If so, is it really obvious when it has?
 
I talked to my saddler about it. He has done about 400 and only ever had 3 crack, 2 when he did it and 1 that he did and said to owner it may be going to snap, and it did 3 weeks later. So no it is very unlikely. You would know if the tree went the whole saddle flops down and I think would flap quite clearly when off the horse.
 
Try asking Cremedemonthe, there's not much he doesn't know about saddles, he's been a master saddler for years and was most helpful with my query.
 
I had a wider tree fitted to my saddle as a previous saddler sold me a narrow fit saddle when in fact my poor boy was measured as a medium/wide by my new saddler. The saddle was sent to Walsall and it took around 2 wks and £195 and I ended up with a perfect fit saddle. Ask your saddler about having a complete new tree fitted rather than stretching your original tree 😉
 
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