DAN: This question was submitted again by mv.muniz on Instagram,
so lots of great saddle fitting questions coming from you.
So they would like to know the "pros and cons
of adjustable tree saddles, things
to look for and avoid in adjustable saddles."
Great question--
KATE BALLARD: Good question.
Good question.
DAN: --and a hot topic.
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
Adjustable tree saddles-- there are a few companies
that offer adjustable trees, some with a gullet system where
you would take the gullet out and replace it with something
different.
Some have the key that turns, which will open and close.
DAN: Yep.
KATE BALLARD: And then some are actually done by heat.
DAN: Ooh, OK.
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
DAN: I've never seen those ones.
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
For those that are done by heat, I
would recommend calling the manufacturer
and finding out who they would recommend to do that.
Because they would have people that they work with.
It's not something that the consumer can do themselves.
It has to be done by somebody who is trained to do it.
But the manufacturer would be able to give you
that information.
The gullet system is easy for the public and the consumer
to do.
DAN: Actually, I think we have one back here.
Do you want me--
I'll show you guys what one looks like real quick.
My little side of props here--
it's like one of these guys.
KATE BALLARD: Right.
DAN: OK.
KATE BALLARD: Right.
They will be different colors for different widths.
DAN: OK.
KATE BALLARD: Super easy, so at least
they're not all the same color.
American money is all the same size--
DAN: Yes.
KATE BALLARD: --and the same color.
DAN: Yes.
KATE BALLARD: I get so confused.
DAN: Oh, you tipping $100 when you think it's only $1?
[LAUGHS]
KATE BALLARD: Our money is different sizes
and different colors.
DAN: That does make it easier.
KATE BALLARD: Right?
So different sizes, different colors is awesome.
DAN: You guys are onto something.
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
[LAUGHTER]
So you can easily take the gullet out
and put a different one in.
Usually there's about six different widths,
from narrow right the way through to extra wide.
DAN: OK.
KATE BALLARD: So for a horse that's
young and growing and going to keep changing, they are--
DAN: Going through those awkward stages.
KATE BALLARD: Yeah.
Super useful for that scenario.
DAN: The one thing I think, though,
is we were kind of talking about earlier.
We did a lovely training for our Customer Care team earlier.
So I do have a little bit of inside information
on some of these.
But you did mention that with the adjustable gullets
that you're only changing the front of the saddle.
KATE BALLARD: Correct.
DAN: So as far as if you do have a horse who
is growing that might be great.
But you might have a little bit of issue
because you're not also adjusting
what the back of the saddle is.
KATE BALLARD: Correct.
Correct.
So you're only opening or closing the points of the tree
that is just in this area here.
That's all that is adjustable.
You can't change the seat.
You can't change the width or length or anything like that.
It is only opening and closing the points
to give you the different widths over the withers.
So if your saddle is wool, sometimes you
can re-flock or add a little bit of wool
to help balance the saddle.
Because if you change the front, usually you
have to make some adjustments at the back.
DAN: Because, to your point, if a horse is getting older,
they're not only just getting bigger in the shoulder.
KATE BALLARD: Right.
DAN: They're getting bigger through the midsection,
as well.
KATE BALLARD: Right.
So if the saddle is wool, it would
be nice to have that taken care of, as well,
to keep that saddle balanced.
If the saddle is not wool, we can also use our friendly--
DAN: Correction pads.
KATE BALLARD: --correction pads.
DAN: Which you did talk about in a previous video
on how to add shims to the pads to kind of balance it out.
So definitely make sure to check that one out.
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
So, super useful tool.
DAN: Would you also maybe adjust it
for someone who is leasing one horse one year, going
to be leasing another horse, so therefore they
can kind of adjust it--
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
DAN: --from horse to horse?
KATE BALLARD: Definitely.
That is definitely a good idea.
Absolutely.
I think for people who are riders,
they have the one saddle and they're
riding eight horses a day--
DAN: Yeah.
[LAUGHS]
KATE BALLARD: Are you really going to stop and change
the gullet every single time?
Probably not.
DAN: And if you are, kudos to you.
[LAUGHS]
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
I wouldn't.
DAN: [LAUGHS] Fair.
KATE BALLARD: Time and fiddling and, you know,
it's just-- you just want to get the rides done.
So I would probably go with a correction pad, as well--
DAN: Perfect.
KATE BALLARD: --just to help.
But they are great, great tool for--
especially for young horses that are growing.
DAN: So a younger horse growing or if you're
going to leasing one horse for one season
and leasing another horse for another year.
KATE BALLARD: Yup.
DAN: That way you can keep one saddle and just adjust it.
KATE BALLARD: Yes.
DAN: Awesome.
Well, hopefully that helps you out.
And let us know how those changing the gullets
go out for you.