Tree size woes

[grandprixer]

Hi all. This might be a stupid post but my Custom Icon Flight has me stumped. I can’t figure out the tree!

It measures 6", but when I look online guides say that is a narrow? But other icon flights are listed with 5.5" trees as medium wide?

And some people have them listed with adjustable trees, but the custom website just says “tree designed to fit a broad range of horses” which is so unhelpful.

So is 6" wide? Is the tree really adjustable or is that for only certain versions of the saddle?

TIA!

[soloudinhere]

Custom trees can be adjusted in a press. They document their trees by the width between two fixed points, not really by “wide” or “medium” and an online guide would be just a guess since unless you can measure the tree itself, you wouldn’t know that you are measuring the same place.

6" where? between what two points?

[joiedevie99]

What are you measuring? The trees are adjustable by a fitter. I’ve had a few MW opened up to W.

[grandprixer]

That’s been precisely my issue, is where to measure. If you Google how to measure a tree, there’s like 5 points to measure from.

[Album] imgur.com

This is how I got 6" but it may or may not be correct

[no.stirrups]

The measurement you are taking is meaningless, that’s why it isn’t working. Here’s some more info: The Ruler Across the Pommel Photo: What Does It Really Tell You? (thinlinecanada.ca)

[grandprixer]

Great article, and that’s my point.

I don’t know how to measure the tree, and the article just says dot to dot is wrong - it doesn’t give the correct method.

What’s the correct method to measure the tree?

[no.stirrups]

An accurate tree measurement depends on accessing the tree, which is done by removing the panels. Not something most saddle owners can do.
Most saddles have the width stamped into the flap somewhere. Alternatively, contact the saddle maker with the serial number and they should be able to tell you what size the tree was originally made. Unless it was made to the template of a specific horse, in which case they may only be able to tell you that, not the size. If they can give you an original size, the saddle still may have been changed after it was made.
If it was made to template then contacting the saddle fitter that originally ordered the saddle may help. I keep files, including templates, for all my clients and would be able to tell you what tree size their old saddle would have been.
I know probably this information doesn’t help you a great deal, but it may make you feel better about being confused. It is legitimately confusing.

[grandprixer]

Well at least I’m not missing a stupidly obvious answer.

I don’t know the original owner or fitter, I got this saddle through trade with a friend - we literally plopped each other’s saddles on our horses and decided to switch. I know nothing about this saddle.

[Album] imgur.com

This is the serial, I can see it’s stamped 18.5" seat but idk which is the tree. I’ll try and call Custom after work today.

I only need to know because I’m trying to list the saddle, I may end up just listing it with an adjustable tree and no other details.

[joiedevie99]

6675 is your serial number. I believe 12 12 is your production date?
18.5 is your seat size
16 means normal flap length

[grandprixer]

Ok so width isn’t stamped? I’ll definitely call Custom then

[soloudinhere]

It is not because the trees are fitted to template eg mine was ordered @27.5. They aren’t sold in stock sizes like M, MW, etc.

[SpicyPRE]

Custom can tell you of the measurements of the saddle when it was originally made. This is very important if you are considering having the tree adjusted!

[Jo]

@soloudinhere

It is not because the trees are fitted to template eg mine was ordered @27.5. They aren’t sold in stock sizes like M, MW, etc.

There are options from Custom that come in stock sizes - check Dover for examples.