Saddle re-fleecer in SE TN… and other Western tack questions.

[Stushica]

Re-fleecer? I’m not entirely sure if that’s a real word or even what you would call caving the fleece underside of a saddle redone.

Any-who, my mother and I just played saddle swapsies and I’ve brought home this gorgeous older Circle Y that seems to unfortunately fit my little mare… Unfortunate because I really do not want a 30000 pound saddle. I plan on using it until I can afford a “real” endurance saddle and/or I get bigger biceps. In the mean time I’ve noticed a loose spot on the fleece and I’m worried I may have to have it replaced at some point, Thus I’m looking for suggestions of somewhere to get it fixed.

If that happens I have a few other questions. First can it be replaced with real sheepskin? Is that a good idea? Or will it just be expensive and become ruined more quickly? My second question is if some sort of flocking can be added; sort of like the the Maricante saddles (or an english saddle) to help customize fit/ increase comfort?

[BeckyS]

If its just a small spot you are worried about, depending on your level of skill, you could probably attempt to fix it yourself with Neoweld cement.

Try these instructions: http://www.flahorse.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29687

I haven’t actually done this myself, but I have an older-than-the-hills saddle that I do plan on trying this with…someday. :winkgrin:

No, there is no way to add flocking. However, you can use different thicknesses of pads to achieve the best possible fit.

[aktill]

A saddlemaker can refleece with natural or synthetic sheepskin. Other than in cost, the real thing will outperform synthetic in wicking, heat dissipation, wear, and a bunch of other areas. Only argument I’ve heard for synthetic is that mice won’t eat it.