Heavy saddle - possible to make lighter?

[shmoo]

Ok, odd question I know but is it possible to make a saddle lighter. I have a simply gorgeous Barnsby full grain black leather beauty which unfortunately weighs a ton.

I had it re-flocked around a year ago but with all of the 'are you squashing your horse' ideas flying around I'm now just not sure.

She hasn't got bow legs, and doesn't sink when I get on, gets back to the yard on all 4 feet (no knees), and doesn't cringe when I show her her tack...yet according to all formula's I am too heavy.

Is it the weight of the leather itself, or the flocking? This sounds really stupid now I read it back, but in for a penny...

 

[Abacus]

OK, so I don't know your weight or the size of your horse or if she can cope well or not. It sounds like she is happy enough.

If it would really make the difference you need, it may be possible to replace traditional flocking with Flair or Cair to reduce the saddle weight. I don't expect you could lose any of the leather! But it would affect the way the saddle feels to the horse and if she is happy with the lovely saddle you have, it would be a shame to mess with it.

Maybe the tree is a heavy one?