I have an 18-year old Orthoflex dressage saddle that I have had to retire this year. The joints attaching the flexible panels to the tree wore out and the saddle was moving too much. No one in the UK knows anything about Orthoflex saddles, but nevertheless, I found an enterprising saddler willing to give repairing it a go. However, not knowing what they should be like when they're working, he went too far the other way and now the panels don't move at all. In its current condition, it's just not usable on any horse. Obviously can't really sell it as anything more than a decorative ornament. Shipping it back to the US for repairs would cost far more than it's worth. However, I'm balking at chucking it out as I've had it for 18 years and I am quite attached to it.
If saddle doesn't fit my horse and there is no way to make it to fit, I'd sell it and get the one that fits.. I consider horse's comfort paramount. But it's just me.
Just to clarify, I'm no longer riding in it. I acquired a Thorowgood T4 to ride her in. The saddle has spent the last three or four months taking up space in a shed at the yard. Yesterday I took it home so it can take up space in my house. If I thought someone could ride in it, I'd definitely sell it, but the point is that the panel system no longer works like it's supposed to so I'm dubious that it would be comfortable for any horse on the planet.
Wire it and turn it into a lamp?
I have a dead saddle sitting on a crate on my porch. Keep thinking I'm going to tear into it just so I can see how it was put together but I never get to it. Mine is just an old argentine ap that I had bought used and used for years. It had a good long life. Your expensive one would make me fret too.
It is hard to throw out tack but I did just that yesterday. I feel what you are going thro. When you get tired of moving it from pt A to B then C and back to A, that's when you'll make up your mind. I just tossed 3 nylon halters, a long leather cinch strap- a box full of stuff. Does keeping the saddle mean you are a collector, a hoarder or a tack junkie? lol
It's currently sitting in the sun on a bench on my deck and I am looking at it as I type this. My landlords have put a skip (what Yanks call dumpsters) on the other side of the barn, so all I would have to do is walk outside, go about fifty meters, and dispose of it. But I've had it for so long and it is a nice looking thing (as you can see from that pic of it) that I can't face it.
When it first started going wrong, I emailed Orthoflex explaining my situation and asking for advice or recommendations of saddlers in the UK who might know something about these. I got no response nor acknowledgment of that email. I also posted on Horse and Hound, which is a UK-based forum, and got recommendations for a saddler near Newcastle. Trying to phone him revealed that he is apparently no longer in business or has changed his number. Reactor Panel also makes paneled saddles that work on the same general principle as Orthoflex and they do have UK people. I phoned them and they said that their systems are totally different and they could not help.
One should not get so attached to material objects. But I think the saddle looks rather sad and lonely. I wish I could figure out how to make a chair or something useful out of it.
You could keep it and find a use for it in your home or turn it into kind of a memory piece( ex: putting pictures of you using the saddle at a show or something in the stirrups) Posted via Mobile Device
I almost hate to say this but, any local restaurants, bars, er pubs? that have a riding theme? Can always donate it for decoration as was indicated.
By the way I feel for you. I have 6 bridles, three different breastplates, can't tell you how many halters and leadlines scattered about. Add in a few martingales to the mix. Trying to cut down but nothing is selling and the bridles especially are in excellent (as in show ready) shape. Have to wait until nearer Christmas...things tend to sell better then
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