Saddle up
We asked for your saddlery questions. Here’s what you wanted to know...
DID YOU KNOW? Many manufacturers are adding saddles with increased adjustment potential to their ranges, realising that many riders want a saddle that has more flexibility to change shape as their horse does.
Photos: Jon Stroud
What are the pros and cons of saddles that are adjustable? Are ones only a saddler can adjust better than ones I can adjust myself?
A Most saddles are adjustable to some degree, but it’s important to understand exactly what it means. For example, does the adjustability come from changing the tree width by replacing a gullet bar or headplate? Or by adding flock to the panels? Or by sending it away and having the manufacturer alter the tree width? Or for the saddle fitter to use a saddle jig to adjust the tree width (this can be done depending on the gullet plate and rivet design)?
It’s not advisable to change the headplate yourself – seek advice from your qualified saddle fitter. For example, if the saddle seems tight, you might assume it needs a wider gullet bar. However, the cause could be that the tree is in fact too wide, so a wider bar could make the saddle more uncomfortable for your horse, not less.