'Stretching' saddle trees?

[Dovorian]

A local saddler is promoting that he is now able to alter tree widths 'significantly', anyone had this done? I ask because I have a dearly beloved dressage saddle which is def too narrow for my big chap and rather that go thru' the pain of a new one this seemed a good idea but it seems against all I thought I knew!

 

[ihatework]

I suppose it depends on what you class as significant? I thought you could widen a saddle by about half a size fairly easily but unless you have a saddle that is designed to have the tree widened (keiffer and albion spring to mind) then I doubt you could make a narrow saddle fit a wide horse!

 

[Patches]

Don't know about widening as such but you could always have a new tree put in you beloved saddle.

I'm pretty sure Chestnut Cob had something similar done with a saddle of hers. Worked out much cheaper than buying the equivalent second hand.

 

[spaniel]

Surely it would depend entirely on what your tree is made od plus a lot of the leatherwork hanging off that tree would need to be fiddled with as well.

Id be wary to be honest and would want a lot more information before I let someone muck about with my tack or my horses back!

 

[Nic]

Just had it done to my beloved Sabre, couldn't believe the difference in 5 minutes.

 

[CSYMolly]

My saddler altered my albion when I first got it, she is more a med/wide and the saddle was a medium, it was aboslutely fine. Dont think you can do it with all saddles though and wouldn't chance going from say a narrow to a wide.

 

[Cullohill]

i work for a saddle company, it is possible and has no effect to the saddle to alter the width and usually it is one width fitting either way.
this of course is only recomended on saddle with known history and shouldn't be done too many times as this can weaken the tree and gullet plate.
i would only do it to saddle that i know what is inside too - ie good quality construction and by someone that knows what they are doing as twisting of the tree can happen very easily misusing the machine.
hope this helps

 

[spaniel]

Thanks Cullohill!

 

[Dovorian]

May I ask how much difference you need in the tree was it m - mw or more m - w?

 

[Dovorian]

Thank you - may give it a whirl then.

 

[pidgeypony]

They use a device called a 'saddle devil' name says it all really - best steer clear!

 

[chestnut cob]

I discussed this with my saddler as my saddle was miles too wide for my boy but I didn't really want to buy a new one. He said it's possible to do it but in all likelihood the tree will eventually spring back to it's normal width, then the tree will possibly crack, and would definitely crack if stretched again. This is because the material isn't designed to be stretched.

He sent my saddle back to Ideal to have a new, smaller tree put it. cost more but at least I know it's going to stay that size and isn't going to ruin the saddle. Ideal put a Med tree in (was W) and totally rebuilt the saddle, new padding on seat, new girth straps, etc. Really pleased with mine.

 

[chestnut cob]

Patches, have just posted the same above!! I was concerned about weaking the tree by stretching it so went for a new tree. I'm sure it was more expensive to do it that way but I know the saddle safety hasn't been comprimised this way.