Saddle query

[Lucky Snowball]

Wondering if anyone can offer advice on a second hand saddle please. The saddle appears to have had very little use. No marks or damage except... Both the nails which go from the front of the skirt to the tree are broken off. The 'post' can still be seen in the holes. My worry is that the saddle might have been widened beyond its limit, dropped, rolled on or something else. I've seen the odd nail missing but not on a nearly new saddle - both sides! Would you be worried? Thank you.

 

[Pinkvboots]

What brand saddle is it?

Have you messaged the owner to ask why thet are missing.

 

[Sanversera]

Doesn't sound good

 

[cauda equina]

I would get a saddler to check it before trying it on a horse

 

[Pinkvboots]

There are alot of crap unbranded saddles around they are full of all sorts of rubbish I wouldn't touch one.

 

[Barton Bounty]

For those two nails to be broken off, i would expect it was either deliberate or substantial damage to it, either way id need it looked over and repaired before using it

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Obviously I won't name names but it's a popular (expensive) brand which is being sold by a experienced saddler who deals in that brand. The leather and general quality is excellent but my mind is in overdrive. Don't know what to do.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would just message them and ask about it.

 

[Fieldlife]

How do you know it IS the brand you think it is without the brand buttons?

Or is it engraved / embossed with the make elsewhere?

Has someone deliberately removed the brand buttons leaving the pins? There can be reasons for doing that.

I’d ask the seller. Do you have serial number to check with brand makers?

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Thank you all. Yes it is embossed with a serial number. I’m as confident as I can be that it’s the right saddle but I just don’t understand why it’s broken.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thank you all. Yes it is embossed with a serial number. I’m as confident as I can be that it’s the right saddle but I just don’t understand why it’s broken.

Ask the saddler to send it away and get it fixed for peace of mind

 

[Baywonder]

Hmm. You do occasionally see head nails that have broken off, but not usually both of them.

It could be a bad batch of weak head nails, the saddle could have been widened too much, or the head plate on the tree could be broken.

If you have a serial number, I would definitely check the date of manufacture with the saddle company directly.

To replace both head nails is not a quick job either.

If you're not sure give it a swerve and look for something else.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I have a decent brand saddle that I bought new, a couple of years in at most one of the nail heads came off. I contacted supplier and was told it happens sometimes, that the nail heads are only glued on and not to worry about it. I was also told that it wasn't a quick or easy job to replace them also. But I am going to be looking at selling the saddle in the near future and do think it will affect It's value, hopefully by not too much especially if I sell it on that brand specific site. But it is only one nail head, the other is still there, serial number and brand is still clearly shown and I have receipt from new.

With both missing I would at least expect it to affect it's value and only if you can get verification from company that it is the saddle it is being sold as and if I was unsure on any of these give it a miss.

Sorry just reread your original post. I think I would be concerned given it is a nearly new saddle for the reasons you've stated.

 

[Kaylum]

One thing to note, not related to your saddle but older ones without serial numbers. Some people take one of the makers name plates off and will put on a saddle to make it look like a good make. Beware when buying saddles.

 

[Baywonder]

These are the head nails my DH uses.

When he makes his saddles, he puts a tight hole pin underneath the head nail to stop the skirt flexing the head of the nail. He does this as a precautionary measure, as the heads are only held on with hard solder - it's just how they are made.

Saddle manufacturers will not usually send out replacements just in case they are used on other saddles - and unfortunately this does happen.

 

[sbloom]

Obviously I won't name names but it's a popular (expensive) brand which is being sold by a experienced saddler who deals in that brand. The leather and general quality is excellent but my mind is in overdrive. Don't know what to do.

In which case just ask them for a warranty. Nail heads can shear off, though I agree it's odd for both, it could have been a dodgy batch.

Ask the saddler to send it away and get it fixed for peace of mind

As @Baywonder says it's not an easy or cheap job.

 

[Barton Bounty]

In which case just ask them for a warranty. Nail heads can shear off, though I agree it's odd for both, it could have been a dodgy batch.



As @Baywonder says it's not an easy or cheap job.

Yes, she said that after me I wouldnt buy the saddle like that tbh but it is all preference

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Hi all, thank you all for your input. The saddler said he took the saddle back to sell for the original customer. He has no idea what has happened to it. He will replace the nails at no extra charge to me. Then I can view and try again. Thank you all again.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Hi all, thank you all for your input. The saddler said he took the saddle back to sell for the original customer. He has no idea what has happened to it. He will replace the nails at no extra charge to me. Then I can view and try again. Thank you all again.

Thats a good outcome