Lavinia Mitchell / Balance / ASC - adjustable?

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melanie7210

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Hi,

Please could anyone tell me, are the trees on any of the following saddles adjustable:

- Lavinia Mitchell
- Balance
- Arabian Saddle Company

I would only need a possible adjustment of one size e.g. wide to extra wide, or vice-versa.

Thank you so much - I'm struggling to find an answer, but I am sure someone on this forum will know the answer! :)

Melanie.
 
Lavinia Mitchells aren't adjustable what she supports is making the saddle wide and the use of adjustable shim pads. This allows the horse to muscle up underneath the saddle and the shims can be removed or added to. It is an excellent idea in my view. :)
 
Many thanks. :) I fully understand the shimming principle, and agree that it's a fantastic idea.

The bit I'm unclear on is that someone hoping to sell me a LM saddle has mentioned that the tree itself can be adjusted up or down one size by a master saddler if required, which I think many traditional beechwood trees with metal head plates can...?

But I need to be sure, as could be an expensive mistake otherwise!

I've emailed the manufacturers, but I would be amazed if I get a reply on Friday afternoon of a Bank Holiday weekend!! :D

The joy of trying to find what you need second hand! :rolleyes:

Thanks again for your reply, much appreciated.

Melanie.
 
Does anyone else know about the Arabian Saddle Company tree please, and whether it is adjustable down one size?

The LM saddle I was looking at (size 3) was tight on the shoulders even before I added any pads/shims, or took into account that she will get wider still when the muscle atrophy fills in... :(

Now considering a 2nd hand Arabian Saddle Co in XW, which looks as though it would work with the Balance fitting concepts... But it would be good to know whether the tree is slightly adjustable if it turns out to be TOO wide (it's the widest tree they do!).

Balance saddle fitter coming out this coming Thursday, so I'm trying to get what I hope will be an appropriate saddle to 'potentially' fit by then! Can't afford new at the moment unfortunately. :rolleyes:

Thanks again everyone. :)

Melanie.
 
Any traditional beechwood laminate spring or rigid tree is in theory adjustble - a handful of times, and usually down maybe one size, up possibly two overall. It is all about whether a fitter is prepared to do it. Personally I'll only adjustthe trees in saddles that I've sold - if I break a tree, no matter what disclaimer I get an owner to sgn, as far as I know, I have to pay to replace it, so I need to have made money from the saddle in the first place to be able to justify the risk if you know what I mean. I will adjust flocking in any saddle, so it's not about not wanting to work on other saddles.

Some fitters beleive that once the saddle is made up you should not adjust the tree at all.
 
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