Superior Saddlery — Andy Mashke
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Certified Used Saddles — David Solum
A damaged saddle tree cannot be seen from the outside. The leather looks fine, the saddle sits normally, and the problem is invisible — until the tree fails under load.
A cracked saddle tree cannot be safely ridden and should not be repaired to riding condition. All used saddles should be tested for tree integrity before the first ride. The tests are physical — flex, twist, grip, and sound tests that reveal movement where the tree should be completely rigid.
Trees fail from impact damage (falls, saddle dropped), fatigue failure (accumulated stress from years of hard roping or cow horse use), exposure damage (wet-dry cycling that degrades rawhide), or manufacturing defects. Wood trees crack most commonly at the fork-to-bar junction, along the bars under repeated lateral loading, or at the cantle junction.
If any test reveals movement, sound, or flexibility that concerns you, do not ride until a qualified saddle maker has inspected it in person. A tree that fails during a sliding stop or fence run can cause serious injury to horse and rider. Professional inspection costs nothing compared to that outcome.
Superior Saddlery's SYMMETREES™ technology manufactures trees in-house to precise specifications with a 25-year warranty. This manufacturing standard provides a meaningful quality baseline when evaluating a used saddle built on a SYMMETREES™ tree.
David Solum has been evaluating saddle fit problems for 40+ years. Call, text, or email him directly — he can advise on whether it's a fit issue, a tree problem, or a saddle you should replace.
See also: Free Saddle Tools · How to Fit a Western Saddle · Parts of a Western Saddle · How to Buy a Certified Used Saddle