Broken Tree

[TomG]

I have never done a saddle repair, but have wanted to see what is involved. My nephew's girlfirend lives on a farm and has one that she says has a broken tree.

What is involved in repair of the tree or does it need to be replaced? I assume "replaced" but just don't know.

If it needs to be replaced where can I read up on what is involved or find a tutorial.

I've looked through most of the posts and realize that the first thing I need to do is learn some terminology.

Back to scanning and reading <g>

Thanks in advance.

Tom

[mauifarrier]

Precision Saddle tree co advertises that they can repair trees or even copy them. Check out their website: http://www.precisionsaddletree.com/treerepair.shtml

[TomG]

Thanks. I'll check them out.

[mauifarrier]

Rod & Denise Nikkel also do replacements. Their work is supreme. I viewed their blog last night and it was really interesting about tree replication. Check it out:

http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/index.php/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/duplicating-trees-part-1-taking-them-apart/

[TomG]

I assume that whichever way I went, I'd strip off all the leather prior to sending it in and then reinstall it when it comes back?

Oh.. Meant to ask. I was looking online and saw saddle referred to as 15", 16" etc, What are they measuring? One of the 16" said it fit 90% of the horses in the USA...??? True??? I would think you'd have to measure a horse and pick something that fit it's back...

BUT, I'm still learning, so what do I know

Edited October 8, 2011 by TomG

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Tom,

The 15 or 16 inch measurements are the seat length of the saddle, meant to tell you how much room there is for the rider. It has nothing to do with the fit for the horse. Depending on the design of the tree, they can fit a range of horse back types, but 90% of all horses in the US? That is really pushing it... We put up our website to help people who are interested learn more about trees. A couple pages you may want to look at to start are Measuring a Saddle Tree here: http://www.rodnikkel...-a-saddle-tree/ and Factors That Affect Tree Fit here: http://www.rodnikkel...ffect-tree-fit/ There's lots more on the site, but that should give you a good start on answering your questions.

[horsewreck]

Tom; As a fellow who has been brought more than one box of saddle to be put back together I would like to warn you of some of the pitfalls. First if you are taking an old saddle apart to repair to learn from I think that is great, I as most saddlers enjoy looking at how others put their saddles together. However if there is an expectation on the part of the saddle owner that you will be able to tear apart their saddle, fix and return it at little cost you might have a problem.

Tree repair can be expensive several hundred dollars in some cases, and that's not counting the tear down and re-assembling of the saddle. This is a good time to remind you that the first real step in any tree work is to ask yourself, if repairing or replacing this tree is the best most cost effective route for your customer? Often I will be brought a cheap low end saddle with a broken tree and we have to tell the owner that it is a good time for them consider getting a different saddle. That said, if the owner wants you to go ahead with the work go slow and remember take apart don't rip apart. I was once brought a box of saddle parts including a seat that had been cut off the cantle binder rather that pulling the stitches, along with the replacement tree, and the owner said to me "I figure it won't be to high cause I took it apart and got the new tree, you just got to put it together". He was not happy when I told him it would have cost less if he would have just brought in the saddle. Don't be that guy! If they decide not to fix the saddle maybe they will give it to you to play with and learn from.

By the way Rod and Denise have put together what I think is the best resource on saddle tree construction in the business, you can learn alot there, study that site. Good Luck. I hope this was of some help.......... Jeff

Edited October 9, 2011 by horsewreck

[TomG]

Thanks. Mauifarrier had already steered me to your site and I spent an hour or so reading your info packed pages.

I appreciate the efforts this takes, I had no ideait was so involved. I have done some woodworking in the past, so I can appreciate the difficulty and attention to detail it requires.

IF she really wants me to do this and IF I decide to make the attempt, I'll definately be giving you a call.

Tom

[TomG]

Thanks Jeff,

I haven't seen it yet, so I have no idea of the overall condition.

I agree with the teardown.... I wouldn't even attempt this unless I took it apart so I could take pictures during each step.

I'll keep you posted if I proceed with it.

Tom

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Jeff and Tom, thanks for the kind words about our website. Our aim in putting it up was to help people understand more about trees and it is nice to read that people are finding it useful.