silverstar
Well-Known Member
Just wondering really I was once told the tree was twisted on a saddle I had.
How can a tree be twisted in a saddle?
- Thread starter silverstar
- Start date
Kenzo
Well-Known Member
There could be a few reasons, saddles are usually made on a fibreglass tree but also wooden ones were used and still are....depending on how old and where you saddle is from.
Some saddles made in India for example are very much knocked together, trees that are already split, flocking made out of waste...even old socks!
Some people buy these cheep saddles off the net, thinking they are ok, better quality leather than what they used to be from the outside, but if you took it to bits, you'd be in for a suprise!
Not saying that is the case here, no idea what saddle you have, just giving one example of why you could end up with a damaged tree.
Some saddles made in India for example are very much knocked together, trees that are already split, flocking made out of waste...even old socks!
Some people buy these cheep saddles off the net, thinking they are ok, better quality leather than what they used to be from the outside, but if you took it to bits, you'd be in for a suprise!
Not saying that is the case here, no idea what saddle you have, just giving one example of why you could end up with a damaged tree.
0ldmare
Well-Known Member
I'm not a saddler so hopefully you will get much more qualified people answering your post but my understanding is that its VERY possible to have a twisted tree. In fact I've been told that its not unheard of for some 'budget' saddles to start life with twisted/mishapen trees.
D
Donkeymad
Guest
That is true, they can also become twisted following an accident or prolonged 'misuse.'
sidesaddlegirl
Well-Known Member
You can also twist a tree by repeatedly hauling on the cantle as you try to mount.
Flame_
Well-Known Member
My 13.2 twisted two saddle trees - by generally being a div! She wasn't very straight and kind of bounced and skipped about a lot. Both her saddles after a few months use were a good bit twisted and flipping useless.
Gal
Well-Known Member
Sadly a twisted tree can damage a horse's back in the long term, and will most likely impede the horses way of going.
I think you need a saddler to check it, and it's fit for your horse and yourself.
With luck the tree is sound and your saddle just needs re-flocking.
Sorry - you probably know this.
I think you need a saddler to check it, and it's fit for your horse and yourself.
With luck the tree is sound and your saddle just needs re-flocking.
Sorry - you probably know this.
CrazyMare
Well-Known Member
My mare and I managed to twist and crack the tree of a saddle turning a somersault over a fence.
Bought a shiney new one after that incident.
Bought a shiney new one after that incident.
Bosworth
Well-Known Member
To be honest you can buy a well known make of saddle - and not a cheap one at that and find it has been made on a non symmetrical tree. Most saddles are made with wooden trees, although now there are more and more synthetic trees out there which should be made symmetrical and impossible to twist. However the wooden trees are finished by hand so human error plays a large part in the finished article.
If you buy a saddle with a wooden tree and continuously get on from the ground you will eventually twist your saddle tree with all the pressure continuously on one side.
If you ride lopsided you can twist your tree. If your horse falls on the saddle you can twist your tree.
Howevr I have seen saddles with a so called twised tree which is actually nothing to do with the tree and all to do with being completely unballenced in the flocking and others which look twisted because the leather has been stitched on incorrectly and panels are not alligned correctly.
If you buy a saddle with a wooden tree and continuously get on from the ground you will eventually twist your saddle tree with all the pressure continuously on one side.
If you ride lopsided you can twist your tree. If your horse falls on the saddle you can twist your tree.
Howevr I have seen saddles with a so called twised tree which is actually nothing to do with the tree and all to do with being completely unballenced in the flocking and others which look twisted because the leather has been stitched on incorrectly and panels are not alligned correctly.
eoe
Well-Known Member
I brought a brand new saddle some years ago for a new horse, had my master saddler check after 6 months and the tree was twisted he said it had probably been done when the saddle was made and it was quite common. He took saddle apart, straightened the tree and hey presto one perfect saddle.