Question For Icon Flight Owners

[dressurpferd01]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

The only correct way to flock a monoflap is to take the panels off, reflock them laying flat on a table and then sew them back on. Typically flocking ports go under the webbing for the billet on a double flap saddle, but with most monoflaps there is no real safe place to make a port. If the fitter goes in through the channel there is an enormous risk that they could pop the sitch line that goes along the top of the panel. What Custom reps do is use a port under the stirrup bar that is covered by a really unwieldy and awkward piece of leather. They will also go in through the point billet hole somehow (I’ve never figured out how they do it) and flock the front of the saddle that way, but I see loads of Custom Saddles with wool poking out around the point billet, so clearly that method isn’t effective and I don’t understand how people are satisfied with that “quality” work. I know I’d have a cow if it was my saddle and I paid someone to for that job. Needless to say, neither of those methods are correct by many old school saddlery teachers’ standards, so even if this fitter is mistaken about where Custom puts the foam in their hybrid panels, I suspect that she probably has had some good, older teachers that held her to a higher standard in her training. Obviously dropping panels and reattaching them onsight is a nightmare and I don’t blame that fitter for not wanting to do it. I HATE working on Customs.

Custom is also a huge proponent of saddle presses and altering tree widths. It’s another reason why fitters with more traditional education often like to steer clear of them. So your Custom Rep might like the saddle for your horse because she is probably comfortable putting it in a tree machine. The reality is, the steel in the headplate will only bend so much and a tree can only be adjusted so many times before it starts to weaken, increasing the risk of the headplate breaking. Nobody wants to be liable for that, so most independent fitters don’t do it. Fitters who were not trained by Custom or a couple of other brands that advocate for that, are much more comfortable saying, “this saddle isn’t appropriate, I think you should find something else” instead.

Idahorider, I remember your first post when you were looking for the saddle. I am a big believer that all saddles should be evaluated on a moving horse before any assessment is made, but I had my doubts about a Flight being a good choice for your horse. I kept my mouth shut because I knew you were working with a Custom rep and [typically] if I give real, frank advice about saddle fit on social media or other forums people seem to get sore and block me. So I stopped doing that, but I feel bad for not saying anything in this case.

And what brand are you employed by?

[IdahoRider]

@reefy!

What a bummer! I remember when you were going to board there and you were so excited. Guess they must have enough high end clients to fill their coffers.

I guess. The head trainer I liked so much left at the end of March, and my friend and former instructor left about the same time. I was gone for all of June and most of July, taking care of my uncle, and when I got back the entire vibe of the barn had changed. The new head trainer seems great, and I would have loved to take lessons from her.

I will miss the friends I have made, but I have friends at the other barn, too. I have boarded my gelding there for two or three years. It will be okay.
Sheilah

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

@dressurpferd01

And what brand are you employed by?

I am self employed mama, thank you!

[kashmere]

@Can'tFindMyWhip

The only correct way to flock a monoflap is to take the panels off, reflock them laying flat on a table and then sew them back on. Typically flocking ports go under the webbing for the billet on a double flap saddle, but with most monoflaps there is no real safe place to make a port. If the fitter goes in through the channel there is an enormous risk that they could pop the sitch line that goes along the top of the panel. What Custom reps do is use a port under the stirrup bar that is covered by a really unwieldy and awkward piece of leather. They will also go in through the point billet hole somehow (I’ve never figured out how they do it) and flock the front of the saddle that way, but I see loads of Custom Saddles with wool poking out around the point billet, so clearly that method isn’t effective and I don’t understand how people are satisfied with that “quality” work. I know I’d have a cow if it was my saddle and I paid someone to for that job. Needless to say, neither of those methods are correct by many old school saddlery teachers’ standards, so even if this fitter is mistaken about where Custom puts the foam in their hybrid panels, I suspect that she probably has had some good, older teachers that held her to a higher standard in her training. Obviously dropping panels and reattaching them onsight is a nightmare and I don’t blame that fitter for not wanting to do it. I HATE working on Customs.

Hmm. Is the bolded above referring specifically to Custom brand monoflaps? I recently had a monoflap reflocked and it was in no way this arduous. This particular saddle’s flocking is accessed via velcro and was a pretty easy peasy process for the fitter.

[FatCatFarm]

OP are you saying that you need to have the whole saddle reflocked or just have flocking added in order to custom fit it to your horse? I have a Custom Icon Star, also a monoflap, that I bought gently used from someone in CA and I am in GA. I then had my local Custom Rep out to flock it to fit my horse. She agreed it was a great buy for my horses (sporty ASB/Percheron crosses with big shoulders). She’s done this twice for me now and it’s never been a difficult or arduous process. Costs about $100 - $120 for her to come out and do which is for her gas, time and the flocking.

I love the saddle finding it very grippy and comfortable and it’s held up beautifully.

[IdahoRider]

@FatCatFarm

OP are you saying that you need to have the whole saddle reflocked or just have flocking added in order to custom fit it to your horse? I have a Custom Icon Star, also a monoflap, that I bought gently used from someone in CA and I am in GA. I then had my local Custom Rep out to flock it to fit my horse. She agreed it was a great buy for my horses (sporty ASB/Percheron crosses with big shoulders). She’s done this twice for me now and it’s never been a difficult or arduous process. Costs about $100 - $120 for her to come out and do which is for her gas, time and the flocking.

I love the saddle finding it very grippy and comfortable and it’s held up beautifully.

I think it just needs flocking added to fit her. I love the saddle. It is the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat in, and it puts me in a great position. It is grippy and soft and in great shape.
Sheilah

[FatCatFarm]

@IdahoRider

I think it just needs flocking added to fit her. I love the saddle. It is the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat in, and it puts me in a great position. It is grippy and soft and in great shape.
Sheilah

This makes more sense and is no trouble at all for a reputable saddle fitter to do; better if you have access to a Custom Saddlery Rep in your area that way you won’t get a sales pitch for why your saddle is crap but this one here [insert brand that particular saddle fitter is repping for] is SO much better.

[xcjumper]

My Custom Rep takes the panels off to flock and then sews them back on. I’ve seen her do it several times…it doesn’t seem to be a big deal. It does seem to take longer than just poking the flocking in threw slits/cuts. But, I have never seen any flocking poking out anywhere on any of the Custom saddles at my barn. I would definitely find a Custom Rep to do the work and ask how they plan on doing it before they actually start.

[IdahoRider]

I am absolutely working with a Custom rep.
Sheilah

[purplnurpl]

All those non Custom fitters are just jelly and acting like total douchers.

I looooove my Flight.

[notilas]

Hi, I bought a icon flight a few weeks ago, and I am in the exactly same situation like you. So what happen to the saddle? My local custom saddle fitter says she cannot adjust the saddle because the hybrid panel has very narrow space for fitting. She says can’t adjust the flock to my horse. I have considered to replace the panel, but it costs $1800. Please let me know what was your solution.

[IdahoRider]

@notilas

Hi, I bought a icon flight a few weeks ago, and I am in the exactly same situation like you. So what happen to the saddle? My local custom saddle fitter says she cannot adjust the saddle because the hybrid panel has very narrow space for fitting. She says can’t adjust the flock to my horse. I have considered to replace the panel, but it costs $1800. Please let me know what was your solution.

I had my Custom rep reflock to fit my mare. I had to have it done twice in order to accommodate her improving top line. The tree itself was never changed. I was happy with the flocking and mare continued to improve in her movement. So much so that I was offered a lot of money for her and sold her to two young ladies that love her for her sweetness and winning.
Sheilah
Sheilah