Saddle Tear Repair

[GiaRides]

ISO ADVICE

I’m looking for the least expensive way to repair the tear on the seat of this saddle. It won’t be used for shows so it doesn’t have to look perfect, just something that will repair the tear. In the research I’ve done, some people use super glue, replace the entire seat (way too expensive for me), or get a piece of leather stitched on. Anyone have experience with this and know what would work best?

[BAC]

I think it depends on who does the repair work. I’ve known a couple of people who had a piece of leather stitched on, one looked awful, it was a big patch, and cost quite a bit of money, another one was on a much smaller tear and looked fine, your butt will cover it up. I don’t have any experience with super glue. Do you have a local tack shop that could advise you?

[touchstone]

I recently had one repaired with a glued-on patch. It covers most of the seat and both seams that were torn, extending slightly onto the skirts. It’s not pretty, but the repair guy who did it said it should last for years. For this particular saddle, it was a way more attractive option at $100 than the $800 I was quoted to replace the whole seat. I don’t notice it when I’m riding.

[2DogsFarm]

MANY years ago, DH’s horse peeled a strip from a saddle we had on trial
Wedge-shaped strip - ~3" starting at the cantle & tapering to a point about 6" long. :no:

Repair was a matching strip glued on.
Hidden when ridden.
Of course, we bought the saddle.
30yrs later, repair is still good.

[SolarFlare]

I had an older 90s Crosby dressage saddle that had a small tear starting on the seam of the seat from wear. The fitter told me to slap a piece of Gorilla tape on it. I think it lasted two years before I had to replace the tape (saddle got used a couple times a week) and the tear didn’t get any bigger.

Cheap and effective. I also asked about superglue but he said Gorilla tape was the way to go.