Refurbishing an old butet

[cberry]

I have a fairly opinionated creature. I have a 1999 butet since high school, seats falling off, I’ve replaced the billets and knee rolls, flaps are slick.

I have worked pretty hard for a long time to replace this including, ordering a new wool butet, Passier, county, amerigo…. All either rejected after a short period of time or there was a physical issue with the saddle. My fall back is always my butet.

Doesn’t fit him well, but doesn’t get in his way, he has never complained about it. I currently have essentially the same spec butet (newer version) and he doesn’t want to go forward in it but happier in the 1999.

At the point, I give up. Has anyone had their old butet refurbished? I don’t want to change the panels, just new flaps with grippier leather and a new seat. Thoughts?

[hillary_again]

Not Butet, but I have a similar vintage Barnsby. Replaced the seat two years ago. That’s a pricey repair, and very few people will do it correctly. If you’ve tried those other saddles without success, go for it. New saddle shopping is a hassle and time consuming.

[NaturallyHappy]

I tried a Butet from Redwood Tack several years ago. I let UPS pack it instead of doing it myself. The leather on the cantle was damaged in transit. The entire seat needed to be replaced. It was $1000.00. UPS insurance paid for it. My only point here is that Redwood Tack might be a resource to get that done. I love Butets.

[Annie10]

Can you contact Butet and see what they can offer?
Also tenneys custom saddlery in Tampa Fl could do the work

[Spartacus]

Shams at Gravity Saddlery would be the first one I would contact for saddle refurbishment. He’s honest, does beautiful work, and will not try to upsell you.

[JumpWithPanache]

Roughly seven or eight years ago the Country Saddler in Pinehurst, NC replaced the seat on my 1999 Butet. He did excellent work and the saddle is still going strong!