Saddle Flocking - tell me all

[CazD]

Could you tell me everything about saddle flocking? I have recently purchased a second hand saddle and a friend has suggested I should have it reflocked and checked. What will this involve? How long will it take? How much approximately will it cost and is there anything specific I need to know/ask for? Many thanks.

 

[BFG]

The saddle fitter will come out and put the saddle on the horse they will then check where it needs re-flocking depending on whether it is sitting level etc. Then there are some flocking slits under the saddle and most fitters will flock on site so that they can keep fitting it back to the horse.

It costs me a share visit of £30 divided by however many horses and then £25 for the flocking. Sometimes they need a full re-flock where they remove all the flocking and put new flocking in so it depends on how old the saddle is.

Hope this helps.

 

[Birker2020]

My local saddlery shop charges circa £70 for my saddle to go to a master saddler in Walsall - he comes to collect them. There is a chap in the Bromsgrove area who comes to our yard, tries your saddle on your horse and will reflock out of the back of his car for £10.00 to reflock and £10.00 saddle check. He has his own saddlery business.

 

[Donkeymad]

The saddle fitter will, ideally, come to you. He/she will check the saddle on the horse. It may be that it needs a top up, or it may require a full re-flock. A full re-flock will take between one and two hours and normally costs me £40, but obviously this will vary. Ths saddler will ideally come back in about four weeks to see how it has settled and make minor adjustments of required. This follow-up visit is usually covered by the initial cost.

Sometimes a saddler will take it away and reflock off the horse, but it will not ultimately give as good a result.