newly flocked saddle rubbing?

J

Jericho

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Hi - can anyone offer any advice as to whether it is normal for a newly flocked saddle to rub? Bought my mare a few weeks ago and fully expected the saddler to tell me the saddle which she came with a 10/ 12 yr old Ideal saddle was rubbish and buy a new one but nope she said it just needed flocking and she could see from the muscle on Daisys back that it had needed flocking for a while as her muscles were bunched just underneath withers but fit was basically fine. The saddle was sitting low and was quite saggy underneath. (was quite disappointed as wanted a new saddle but suppose I should breathe a sigh of relief seeing as dont actually HAVE to spend the money now!) However have ridden Daisy a couple of times and noticed that despite having a numnah the hair on the area directly under the skirts in the lining (where I guess most of the flocking went) is looked rubbed / disturbed - is this normal? Daisy doesnt seem particularly worried in her way of going.
 
Rubbing is not normal, whether the saddle is newly reflocked or not.

It sounds as though the panels are now firmer and are sitting on top of her back causing the saddle to rub. It may be that it has been overstuffed, or it could be that the saddle doesnt fit. Hard to tell without seeing the horse and the saddle.

Daisy may not seem bothered as she has obviously been ridden in a poorly fitting saddle previously as so is now used to it. My youngster would have me off if his saddle didnt fit - he lets me know when he thinks I ought to regulate the flocking (even when it is within acceptable tolerances!)
 
hmm called the saddler - she said that sometimes the use of a numnah may cause the rubbing mark and it sounds like the saddle is shifting forwards for some reason. She said to ride 'naked' (!!) i.e. without a numnah and check for nice even pressure marks where the panels sit, def not rubs and if there still are rubs then she'll come back out. May be I will be spending my money on a new saddle after all..........
 
If you would like my opinion, send me a pic of the horse's back without saddle from both sides and behind, then with saddle on (not girthed) then girthed. Do not use a numnah.

Did she not watch you ride in the saddle after it had been reflocked to see for herself if there were any rub marks?
 
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