Bringing life back to an old Butet ...

[tatertots]

So I got my hands on a steal-of-a deal older Butet off of a Facebook post that was too good to pass up. Most people make late-night Amazon purchases, I apparently buy saddles :ambivalence:

Saddle just arrived today and it’s in the condition I expected for the price. Structurally very sound, to my surprise, but is in need of some major repairs. Seat replacement, new knee pads, new panels… Not cheap repairs by any means.

I did some prelim research on costs that I could find online and it looks like the bill would start around $1500 (depending on materials used). I spent less than $300 on the saddle, so if costs are accurate, I’d come home with a like-new saddle for under 2k.

If the cost of the repairs made sense, would you do it? It’s a 20-year old saddle. Anyone have major repairs done and wish you had done something differently? Are there repairs you would only trust to be done by the OEM, Butet in this case?

[NaturallyHappy]

Gosh, Congratulations!!’ It looks like it is really in better shape than you describe! I suppose it could be the picture, though. I bought Butet saddle oil (which I didn’t realize they actually sell- maybe new to USA?) from Olson’s Tack Shop. I think they are in Washington state. I ordered it over the phone. My 14 year old Butet perked right up. If you have to have it repaired, I’d try to used whomever Butet recommends. I’ve been told the Journeyman in VA does Butet repairs. Hope this helps.

[tatertots]

@NaturallyHappy Thank you! It definitely could be in far worse shape, but still in need of some loving. The the foam panels are a bit hard and the padding in the knees is basically non-existent. First thing I did was lather it in Pecard’s leather restorer, it was sure thirsty!

Here are some photos that better show the condition.
Knee pads: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0eKY…gb52hXeJAfHbbg
Panels: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Gfh…8hG6EPTC5mUzhA
Seat: https://share.icloud.com/photos/04_Y…lKGFVZpE4Tlklw

[NaturallyHappy]

Oh gosh, thanks for those pictures. I guess it does need some help, especially the seat! I’d probably still fix it- I’m a sucker for a nice Butet! I think their balance is fabulous. Good luck!

[4horses]

Ride in it. If you like it, fix it. I wouldn’t invest that kind of money but that is just me. I have tried many many saddles- I like my Tekna synthetic Dressage saddle the best. It just fits me perfectly and my horse is comfortable. I bought it cheap and figured there was no way I was keeping it (I have a used tack shop). I rode in it not expecting much, and I loved it.

It’s the only saddle I’m using since I broke my foot. Still can’t use a stirrup on that side, but the knee rolls really hold you in.

If you think it is comfortable, then go for it. I wouldn’t own a tack shop if I didn’t enjoy cleaning up an older saddle. I wish I had the skills for leather repair.

There’s a very old man in Ocala. He makes leather hamsters (haha phone autocorrect) halters. He has a 9-5 job doing leather work. I’m afraid it is a dying skill. Not many people can do what he does. He has a tiny shop, if only I could remember the name… Nice guy, if he’s still around. He may be retired by now.

[akhunterrider]

I have a friend who has done a lot of foam to wool conversions, particularly on Butets. However, she would only be able to patch the seat and knee rolls to my knowledge. In any case, if you’d like her contact info, shoot me a PM.

I personally would only spend that much money refurbishing a saddle if I loved riding in it, despite it needing repairs.

[BAC]

I would cut my losses now and not invest any substantial amount of money in that saddle. Instead take $2,500 and see what you can find used.

[tatertots]

@BAC

I would cut my losses now and not invest any substantial amount of money in that saddle. Instead take $2,500 and see what you can find used.

Good point! I could find a decent used saddle for 2k even. Thankfully I don’t think I’d lose any money on the saddle - I think it’ll be easy enough to offload the saddle for what I paid for it.

[tatertots]

@akhunterrider

I have a friend who has done a lot of foam to wool conversions, particularly on Butets. However, she would only be able to patch the seat and knee rolls to my knowledge. In any case, if you’d like her contact info, shoot me a PM.

I personally would only spend that much money refurbishing a saddle if I loved riding in it, despite it needing repairs.

Thanks! I think if I spend money on the repairs, I’ll probably go for the full meal deal vs a patch. But thank you for the offer!

[tatertots]

@4horses

Ride in it. If you like it, fix it. I wouldn’t invest that kind of money but that is just me.

Completely! I still need to ride in it and determine if I like it… so that could make this whole post pointless :rolleyes:

I still have an old dover circuit elite with a patch on the seats and holes in the knee pads…but fits every horse I’ve ever put it on! I haven’t found a reason to spend 5k on a new saddle, but figured I’d give this old butet a chance to get a complete makeover if I like the bones of it

[touchstone]

Been there, done that: If it was me, I’d just patch the seat. I found a local saddler who did one for me for $100. At that price, you have an extra saddle you can use for $400. The knee rolls are more cosmetic, and I’d leave them be for now until you’re sure you love the saddle and that the rest of it is sound. I agree I wouldn’t pay for all the repairs, given the pricing on decent quality used Butets.

[Credosporthorses]

Try calling Greg Allen he’s is at bear creek in woodinville. If it were me I’d replace the seat and not worry about the other cosmetic fixes.

[DMK]

I switched 98 butet to wool early on, like 4 years in. The foam just didn’t hold up in those early years so I would have that as priority #1 (along with the panels). Then as it was about 13 years old I replaced the seat, bullets and the bottom panels (should have done that early on since the original panels didn’t accommodate wool bulk that well). I should have done the knee rolls too, but they were fine at the time. Now there’s a tiny tear but I’ve moved to a different discipline. But there NO WAY I’m selling that saddle. It’s tucked away in an upstairs closet for future use!

[tatertots]

@Credosporthorses

Try calling Greg Allen he’s is at bear creek in woodinville. If it were me I’d replace the seat and not worry about the other cosmetic fixes.

Already did I sent him an email w/pictures, just waiting for him to get back to me! He’s just down the street from me.

[Renn_aissance]

I’d patch the seat (a much less intensive repair and not uncommon in older saddles) and do the panels. The cracking on the leather is just cosmetic, but the foam is probably shot after so many years, and that would be a functional requirement.

Do check the billets if you haven’t already.

[tatertots]

@Renn/aissance

I’d patch the seat (a much less intensive repair and not uncommon in older saddles) and do the panels. The cracking on the leather is just cosmetic, but the foam is probably shot after so many years, and that would be a functional requirement.

Do check the billets if you haven’t already.

Billets are in beautiful shape thankfully - It’s funny how the leather can be so bad on some places but so solid on others! The foam is definitely shot, so would need to replace to make it functional. I may consider converting to wool for the convenience of adjusting down the road if I have a horse it doesn’t fit.

I’ll look into the patch too, maybe it can hold me over to decide if I want to go to the grave with this thing and then spring for a seat replacement down the road

But of course Washington state just got our “Shelter in Place” order from Governor Inslee last night… which means the verdict is out on the saddle’s fate for atleast 2 weeks while the barn is closed. sigh

[Punkie]

What a steal!! I think you’ll be able to get that back into excellent shape. The person I send all of my saddles to is a woman named Ava Vettenburg in Florida. She is a magician with any saddle! You can find her on FB and she has tons of examples of her work on her page. Her prices are also extremely reasonable. I personally wouldn’t use anyone else!

[tatertots]

@Punkie

What a steal!! I think you’ll be able to get that back into excellent shape. The person I send all of my saddles to is a woman named Ava Vettenburg in Florida. She is a magician with any saddle! You can find her on FB and she has tons of examples of her work on her page. Her prices are also extremely reasonable. I personally wouldn’t use anyone else!

Is she still in business? I found her Elite Saddles, LLC page on google, but Facebook says the page doesn’t exist anymore

[Punkie]

@tatertots

Is she still in business? I found her Elite Saddles, LLC page on google, but Facebook says the page doesn’t exist anymore

Oh dear! I know a friend of mine had a saddle done by her a few months ago, but I’m not sure if something has changed recently? You can probably contact her directly over messenger to find out! I hope not, because I have a saddle that needs her help!