An immediate need has me shopping in the used saddle market and, after trials and tests, we appear to have found a relatively new one that my horse really seems to love and I find comfortable. The only drawback to it is that one of the knee rolls lets out a “pffft” noise with each squeeze, not unlike the sound a sad old squeaky toy might make. I’ve obviously led a sheltered life because this is the first time I’ve had to deal with knee roll emissions. Is this something that can be repaired and, if so, is it generally expensive/involved?
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A saddle maker could open up the roll and restuff, I assume.
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It’s just the sound of air entering it and exiting. Probably has some little holes on the underside to allow that to happen. It could be restuffed if it really bothers you, but it doesn’t effect the integrity of the saddle.
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Thanks. I deduced it was air entering and exiting. 
The noise is distracting and the saddle is not inexpensive (near-new model from one of the higher-end French brands), which is why I wondered if anyone else had something similar repaired. If it’s an easy fix, the fit would make the purchase worthwhile, despite having to have an immediate repair. If not, I don’t know that I could live with the noise at every step.
Can you contact the manufacturer and ask their advice?
Good idea, thank you. I just rode in it tonight but will call them and the saddle repair shop tomorrow.
It has to be Murphy’s Law that the one great fitting saddle comes with its own soundtrack! 
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If it’s a CWD, some of them just do that, and it’s not considered a defect. My saddle does that, as does a friends. I don’t love it, but I learned to ignore it.
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Why yes, yes it is a CWD. It’s good and bad to know that it’s common issue. I called our local tack repair shop and was told it might need more air holes added to the back to fix the sound. I’ll bring it in and have them look at it.
Thanks!
I’ve noticed this one several saddles with “puffy” knee rolls. My L’Apogee did it briefly when it was brand new–after riding in it and oiling it numerous times, the puff sound is basically gone (the saddle is still under a year old). I sat in a friend’s Antares that did the same thing. I think it’s just a not-uncommon feature of that type of padding.
I don’t think it’s considered a defect either, but you could obviously see if CWD can fix it.
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My CWD had little holes punched in the back of the knee roll area, never had any issues with “air emissions.” 
