ridecamp@endurance.net: Fwd: Re: Saddle restuffing

Fwd: Re: Saddle restuffing

ChacoL@aol.com
Fri, 11 Jul 1997 14:39:38 -0400 (EDT)

I forwarded the messages about the horse "walking a tighrope" after his
saddle was restuffed to a woman in Colorado who is an expert saddle fitter
and restuffer. She has restuffed my dressage saddle to fit my horse, and the
panels are now unbelieveably cushiony. Instead of the three layers of pads,
I'm down to one thin fleece pad plus a gel pad for Chaco's ultra-sensitive
back. The stuffing she replaced was some kind of lumpy synthetic fiber.

Jenny is also is a dealer for an excellent English-style all purpose saddle
made in Ireland that I find very comfortable. I've just ordered a 17
1/2-inch Wide tree for my next endurance saddle. It is all top grade
leather, has wide, wool-flocked panels, good clearance over withers and
backbone--and is very reasonably priced at $850! I ordered mine with long
billets so I can use a short girth, and two D rings on either side. The
stirrup bars are recessed for additional comfort. Berney Bros. also makes
dressage and jumping saddles--you can have her send demos of any model for a
three-day trial.

Here is her response about saddle restuffing:

In a message dated 97-07-10 15:07:44 EDT, Chotzi@aol.com writes:

<< As a saddle fitter and re-stuffer, as well as former trainer and
instructor, I'd like to reply to the question about re-flocking.
Not all saddles are wool-flocked, but the ones that are must be re-stuffed
regularly. Here's why. Wool is meant to pack down. At first, with the
warmth of your horse, it will mold to fit the horse's back. (Providing the
saddle fits in the first place, and it is used on only one horse). Felt and
foam stuffing won't do that. But the same property that allows is to mold
will also cause it to pack down eventually to where it isn't doing its job at
all. The panels are there to cushion your horse's back from the tree, and to
protect his back bone from any pressure at all. When they pack down, they
won't be doing this any more. I get many old Stubbens to restuff that are so
flat, they might as well have no panels at all.
You should check your saddle every year, or if your horse changes shape
considerably. How to tell if it's ready for a reflock? First, make sure the
saddle is sitting level on your horse's back. If the cantle end is too low,
you're ready. If you don't have at least 2 1/2 fingers of clearance under
the pommel, you're ready. Turn the saddle upside down. The gullet (the
chanel between the panels) should look like a deep trough with a pillow on
either side of it. If the pillows aren't well above the trough, you're
ready. Finally, if there are any lumps or holes in the panels, it's time for
a re-flock. Make sure your saddle person knows what they are doing. Get
personal recommendations. And make sure they do a FULL reflock. In other
words, they take the saddle apart and take out all the stuffing and replace
it all with new wool. A partial re-flock is fine if the saddle is new and
just needs some adjustment, but not if you've been riding more than a year.
To the person who said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", if you don't
re-stuff, it will be broke. Think of it like changing the oil on your car.
And, incidentally, if the saddle doesn't fit, or the stuffing isn't right,
no amount of padding will fix it.
>>

You can reach Jenny at Chotzi@aol.com if you have any specific questions
about saddle fitting problems.
---------------------
Forwarded message:
Subj: Re: Saddle restuffing
Date: 97-07-10 15:07:44 EDT
From: Chotzi
To: Chaco L

Just got home, and got the saddle and the bottle of wine. Thanks! I will
call your order in tomorrow morning.
I'd be happy to reply to the flocking question. Here goes:

As a saddle fitter and re-stuffer, as well as former trainer and instructor,
I'd like to reply to the question about re-flocking.
Not all saddles are wool-flocked, but the ones that are must be re-stuffed
regularly. Here's why. Wool is meant to pack down. At first, with the
warmth of your horse, it will mold to fit the horse's back. (Providing the
saddle fits in the first place, and it is used on only one horse). Felt and
foam stuffing won't do that. But the same property that allows is to mold
will also cause it to pack down eventually to where it isn't doing its job at
all. The panels are there to cushion your horse's back from the tree, and to
protect his back bone from any pressure at all. When they pack down, they
won't be doing this any more. I get many old Stubbens to restuff that are so
flat, they might as well have no panels at all.
You should check your saddle every year, or if your horse changes shape
considerably. How to tell if it's ready for a reflock? First, make sure the
saddle is sitting level on your horse's back. If the cantle end is too low,
you're ready. If you don't have at least 2 1/2 fingers of clearance under
the pommel, you're ready. Turn the saddle upside down. The gullet (the
chanel between the panels) should look like a deep trough with a pillow on
either side of it. If the pillows aren't well above the trough, you're
ready. Finally, if there are any lumps or holes in the panels, it's time for
a re-flock. Make sure your saddle person knows what they are doing. Get
personal recommendations. And make sure they do a FULL reflock. In other
words, they take the saddle apart and take out all the stuffing and replace
it all with new wool. A partial re-flock is fine if the saddle is new and
just needs some adjustment, but not if you've been riding more than a year.
To the person who said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", if you don't
re-stuff, it will be broke. Think of it like changing the oil on your car.
And, incidentally, if the saddle doesn't fit, or the stuffing isn't right,
no amount of padding will fix it.
Chotzi
Linda: that's a start. I could go on forever, as you know. Let me know if
it would be appropriate to mention my book....

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