Wrinkles in seat - really mean a broken tree?

[Blueeyedroan]

I know the general rule is that wrinkles in the seat mean trouble with the tree. But is this always true ?
I have a County Innovation with the soft bullhide that has a wrinkled seat. It happened after several rainy rides - getting wet and I assume stretching. The saddle does flex as the County spring tree does. Had an older Exselle saddle do the same.

I just got this 2017 CWD Mademoiselle. Got it for a bargain price due to the fact it’s very obviously seen a lot of pretty rough miles and has a hole worn in the bottom of right flap.
Cosmetically- I couldn’t care less. But it has some serious seat wrinkles.

I know NOTHING about the trees in these things. Are they supposed to have give ? Would rain riding and some flexing create wrinkles ?

The saddle is silent when flexed in hand. Zero squeaks or groans when ridden in. Absolutely silent. Just wrinkly.

How worried would you be and how springy are these trees?

[Small_Change]

With how soft leather is now for high end saddles, I am not at all surprised that a high mileage saddle would have wrinkles in the seat from use and stretching. My gut instinct is that it is likely okay if you have checked it out carefully and see no other warning signs.

Sweet talk your vet into xraying the tree to be certain?

[IPEsq]

It’s a carbon fiber tree, so there is some flex normally. That said, I would not expect silence if it was broken and you flexed it manually. How is the padding in the seat? If that has broken down also then I could see that giving some more room for looseness of the leather causing wrinkles. Can’t say I’ve seen one of this model with wrinkles before but I have seen it a fair amount on other saddles where the tree was intact, just the seat was pretty worn out.

[Mander]

@Small_Change

With how soft leather is now for high end saddles, I am not at all surprised that a high mileage saddle would have wrinkles in the seat from use and stretching.

This, combined with modern silicone breeches that can really grab and pull the leather in a way suede does not is a perfect recipe for wrinkly seats and has nothing to do with tree soundness.

[Blueeyedroan]

Thanks for easing my mind a little!
The whole saddle is indicates it’s HIGH mileage. I would say the padding in the seat is broken down a bit for sure.
It still rides like a dream!!! SO nice.

I will keep it and not worry too much.
It will get ridden in rain, ridden in the bush, and more or less be beaten and neglected so I’m not too worried.

[pryme_thyme]

I had a 2gs with a broken tree, it made very audible squeaks and no wrinkles in the seat. With full calf and some worn gel/foam padding I would think it should be normal for some wrinkles.

It should be pretty simple to feel the broken tree. Rest the pommel on your hip and pull the cantle towards you, squeaks or movement means trouble in paradise.

Good luck!!

[222orchids]

I have put these exact wrinkles into every saddle I’ve owned that was covered in calf. And none of them had broken trees. Just something about the way I ride, I suppose.