Now we are lucky in this part of the UK as we have and independent
consultant who comes out and takes full pattern of horse's back and the
underside of saddle, observes horse and takes general notes of past history
and what is expected of the horse in the future. He then makes
recommendations as to what needs to be done if anything. He uses the
patterns from the horse to construct a cardboard model of the horses back
which is given to the saddler to help with his stuffing. In my case the
tree fitted the horse but the panels had been over stuffed and the leather
stretched. So I had new - larger - panels made which are not stuffed as
hard as a drum and a flex-free numnah (has stiffish panels) giving bigger
bearing surface. Result happy horse with better movement under saddle.
I am sure there must be someone in the states offering a similar service.
P.S. Forgot to say if anyone wants further details please e.mail