Squeaking Saddle Tree! Reasons? Fixes?

[oldbutnotdead]

So, in the perpetual hellish search for a dressage saddle, I have found a candidate that the ad mentions has a tree that squeaks. Seller is reputable, and although I will double check, not the type to sell a saddle with a broken tree. What are other reasons why this fiberglass tree would squeak? Any fixes?

[Mary in Area 1]

I had a Hulsebos saddle that squeaked. Turned out that a rivet had broken, and it was an expensive fix that was not covered by the manufacturer, even though the custom saddle was less than a year old. Beware, it can be a bad sign.

[alexisgeo]

Is she sure the tree itself is what is squeaking? I have had a few saddles that squeaked and generally it had to do with the leather on leather of boot and saddle flap and usually oiling it a bunch did the trick. But a squeaking tree makes me assume that the seller is either A. wrong about where the sound is actually coming from or B. the tree is broken (like the screws are loose or where the panel and the tree meets is broken and its moving back and forth as the horse moves- either way, not good).

[oldbutnotdead]

buimp

[rivenoak]

If it's an eBay item, could you do an escrow transaction & check it yourself? If it doesn't seem sound, then return it?

Squeaks are suspect, IMO.

However, I once bought a "broken tree saddle" for about $100 from a saddlery & opened it up myself. Nope, not broken. Just a very flexible spring tree. Sewed that sucker back up & sold it for what it was really worth!!

[lacy859]

My frank baines dressage does this but the saddler opened it up and said it wasn't broken but the noise is really annoying. I really would like to know why it does this.

[goeslikestink]

if it squeaks its broken--and it will be digging into the horse somewhere so dont ride in it
trees cannot be fixed if its fibra glass as you say then fibra glass shatters same as fibra glass boots do, so the sqeak is more than one bit rubbing against another bit
trees that are wood fibra glass or metal once broke cant be fixed
get a mastercraftmen out of a saddle fitter and get a vet out out to check your horses back
give the horse time off to heal

[Candle]

I bought a used Barnsby jumping saddle that had a squeaky tree, and I had a saddler take it apart and she ended up having it welded for reinforcement, something was moving that shouldn't have been. Quite expensive, but I love the saddle, and just need to find a horse to fit it again :D

[CurlyLindsay]

Sometimes leather rubbing on leather just squeaks. You hear it all the time from western saddles and occasionally from healthy english saddles. The western set's fix is baby powder- You flip the saddle upside down on a soft surface (like a mattress) and liberally shake baby powder into every crevice, then lift and drop the saddle upside down onto the soft surface to shake the powder up into crevices, then flip, dust, and use.

It's a free way to get a better idea of whether you're dealing with simple friction or something more serious.

[clivers]

Sometimes leather rubbing on leather just squeaks. You hear it all the time from western saddles and occasionally from healthy english saddles. The western set's fix is baby powder- You flip the saddle upside down on a soft surface (like a mattress) and liberally shake baby powder into every crevice, then lift and drop the saddle upside down onto the soft surface to shake the powder up into crevices, then flip, dust, and use.

It's a free way to get a better idea of whether you're dealing with simple friction or something more serious.

Awesome idea!! Thanks!!!!

[KnRponies]

My former dressage saddle squeaked and when it was taken apart had popped a rivet. Fixed it and it was good (quiet?) as new. So a rivet can cause a squeak.

[Ponylady27]

Sounds like it could be a rivet. Not a hard fix for a saddler. Certain brands will fix it for free as it is ususally a warranty issue. We do at Custom.

Do watch it, though - a popped rivet can lead to more which can lead to cracking of either the head or gullet plate - and that's a big expensive fix on most saddles.

Popped rivets are a high pitched wee-wee-wee sound. Leather squeaks are deeper and usually louder. If you can see the saddle in person, flip it over and put your hands on either side of the pommel - about where the bottom buttons are. Then push and pull the tree - flexing it. That's when you'll ususally hear the rivet. You may have to lean in close to hear it. It can be soft. Also take your fingers and feel under the pommel - that's where the tree plate is, if the saddle has one - and sometimes you can feel if the plate is cracked through the leather on the pommel. You can also feel the rivets and sometimes find the one that's popped. However a fitter or saddler who can drop the panel and open it up for you will be alble to give you the best diagnosis. Also, If you ride in it, the rivet sound is much more pronounced at the trot and walk and usually can't be heard at the canter.

I work on saddles daily and I can tell you that more people are riding around with popped rivets than you would think.

[Auburn]

I just purchased an Albion Select Comfort on ebay. It arrived "looking" in perfect condition. When I went to put the stirrups on, the right side stirrup bar seemed popped out much farther, than the left side ( I had to use a hoof pick to pull the stirrup bar out enough to get the stirrup leather under it). The pommel is squishy. When I put it on Tess the panels seemed to be twisted to the right, so much so that the left panel is close to her spine. Where the panels are sewn together under the cantle, the left side is pushed up and the right side is dropped down. When you hold the saddle and look down the channel, that stitching does not line up with the center stitching under the pommel. There is not a scratch on the saddle. Anywhere! :confused:

I have contacted the seller, who did put insurance on the saddle. When it was left on our doorstep, UPS had placed another box on top of the boxed saddle. If they placed a heavy box on it during transit, could it have broken the tree? :(

[Catalina]

I have an Excelle that started to squeek really loudly. I thought the tree was broken so I contacted Excelle and they had me ship it to them. It then went to England where it was determined that it was a popped rivet. It took a few months, but Excelle took care of all the expenses including shipping.

[avezan]

Oh boy. I'm afraid you got taken. Its possible, but not likely, that the damage occured in transit. But the box would have had to be totalled and likely there would be marks on the saddle from such a crushing. If the box was fine, then it is unlikely you can collect on any shipping insurance. If I were you, I would try to give the saddle back for a refund since it was not in the condition stated (ie it has a broken or twisted tree). But good luck with that. :(

I just purchased an Albion Select Comfort on ebay. It arrived "looking" in perfect condition. When I went to put the stirrups on, the right side stirrup bar seemed popped out much farther, than the left side ( I had to use a hoof pick to pull the stirrup bar out enough to get the stirrup leather under it). The pommel is squishy. When I put it on Tess the panels seemed to be twisted to the right, so much so that the left panel is close to her spine. Where the panels are sewn together under the cantle, the left side is pushed up and the right side is dropped down. When you hold the saddle and look down the channel, that stitching does not line up with the center stitching under the pommel. There is not a scratch on the saddle. Anywhere! :confused:

I have contacted the seller, who did put insurance on the saddle. When it was left on our doorstep, UPS had placed another box on top of the boxed saddle. If they placed a heavy box on it during transit, could it have broken the tree? :(

[WW_Queen]

It may just need lots of oiling. I had a brand new saddle that I rarely used (and never oiled) and it squeaked like crazy. I had two different saddle fitters check it out and the tree was 100% fine. Apparently the manufacturer suggested you frequently oil all the crevices and such during the "breaking in" process (which I had not done).

[lacy859]

Well, I'm having my saddle fitter come out again on Thursday, so I'll see what he says. I tried manipulating the pommel and there was no noise, so we'll see :)

[KimPeterson]

It could just be leather on leather (as was the case with one of my Baines saddles ) I cut the extra small flap of leather under the stirrup bar away that continued back under the seat and it stopped for good. IT was a cosmetic piece that ended up folding or rubbing. Have it looked at by a fitter if you need, Patty at East Crow can strip and check your tree for soundness if you are worried or replace it if needed.

[Auburn]

avezan,

I have contacted PayPal, because I paid in full on an ebay item, they will help handle any problems with the seller. I know that many people have good experiences buying saddles on ebay. However, I will never purchase a saddle there again.

OP,

I hope that your squeek is just a matter of the leather needing conditioning and not a broken tree, like my saddle.