Saddle Reflocking - Is this Normal??

[chickeninabun]

I had a new saddle fitter by a very reputable fitter in my area. I love it and so does my horse, but the fitter mentioned it would need reflocking in the not so distant future and gave me the name and number of the man she recommended did it.

Is it normal to have a saddle reflocked and not have it then re-fitted to the horse?? Fitter did not mention coming back once it was reflocked.

 

[POLLDARK]

In my experience the saddle fitter (he is a saddler ) has always come out, looked at the fit to decide where & how much flocking was needed. Being a saddler aswell takes the saddle, re flocks & checks the fit when he brings it back.

 

[picolenicole]

When I worked within saddlery, we would send saddles off to be reflocked. Once done they would come back to us and a fitter would take it out and refit, all in the price.

 

[sbloom]

There are two issues here - whether the fitter sees the horse, or even the flocker sees the horse, and you riding it, and who does the flocking. Personally, I always go back to the horse, see it ridden by it's regular rider, make the decision on whether and how much to adjust the flock, and then adjust it myself and check it again ridden. I personally think this gives the best results. If that isn't possible then you really need someone to come and assess the horse ridden to decide what needs doing. Occasionally I will send a saddle back out after an adjustment, and not check it, but that is really rare and will only be because a second visit within the desired time frame isn't possible. I usually flock onsite to avoid that.

 

[cremedemonthe]

All new saddles whether cheap and cheerful or hugely expensive come under flocked at the time of sale. This is because 1) when you make a saddle and are lacing a saddle panel in it is easier to do without too much flock in it and 2) when you fit a saddle to a horse and rider it allows you to flock up the saddle to fit that particular horse's profile.
So it is entirely normal.
These days it seems to be the norm to send the saddle away when a saddle fitter fits it if they are not a true saddler, with tradtional Saddlers the norm is to fit and flock the saddle on site at the time of sale, then come back after a week or so to top it up as the flock will undoubtedly flatten down a bit with the weight of the rider expelling the air our of the fibres of the flock.
Hope this puts your mind at rest!