Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Saddle Repair

I guess my post was not clear enough today avoid a misunderstanding. I’m aware of a bit of your background, and aware that you have a clue.

Also was not specifically directed at you or how you do things. The pics I referred to are your shredding pics - looks pretty flat.


Some folks I see have the rear cinch So loose as mentioned above, a horse could get a hind stick in it. They ought not to even bother buckling it. To me it’s a tool to use.

I posted above I set the rear “in contact” w the belly. I can get my hand in there though. Saddle won’t tip.

Again, bud, apologies if I was not clear.

Snake headed proud cut snake headed bastards....

Are we still talking about ponies?

I'm in the same camp as you, if it's not at least making contact then take the damned thing off. But you can really restrict breathing et all with it too tight.

Almost as if there's more to it than you can get from pictures or movies

Read about them 4-horned saddles the Romans used, but have never seen one. Would like to one day.

The idea is the load is spread out across the bars.

Front cinch is looser than normal.

I cant find an article.....seems like it was a saddle maker.

I grew up riding a center-fire Heiser (about a 1938 model) in some damn rough country - I'm larger, and older, now, and prefer more security.
I ride a 2004 model custom, flank cinch, and breast collar. I weigh ~ 200 lbs, ride rough country, and occasionally need to "capture" a wayward critter.
It works for me - although I'm sure the caballo doesn't appreciate the extra weight!

Regarding stirrups - I once had one lose the bolt that secured it - and rode the best part of a rough trail, up a rimrock, for close to a mile - with said stirrup in my hand (wouldn't stay on the saddle horn)
FUN !!!!

Mark, invert the '38 and you'd have the year of my Martin saddle.
(bought second hand, plate rigging, nothing fancy, has someone else's brand on it......)

But I love it.

1983 model locally made by Gene Martin.

He used to run a saddlery here in town. 30 years ago we used to go downstairs and bug him while he was busy building another saddle(from scratch).

He didn't make his own trees but had a 'patented' version that he'd order in.

Good saddles.

They also raised quarter horses(good ones) and I learned how to break/train horses from Gene and Loretta's son Alan.

I rigged up some, "Iowa Stirrups", for five buckle overshoes. Iron JD planter plates.

Please tell us you were more than 5 years old breaking stock to feed the fam.

lol


I'd go visit Gene with my dad. Early '90's, I was 10-15 years old.


Gene, was a character.

The entire shop was a character, they sold 'western wear' and had a mostly full time cobbler employed.


Willie fixed boots and kept a bottle of whiskey under his work bench.


Loretta ran the cash register.


They closed up years ago, town has been on a downward slide since.

7-8 years ago, morning after a big thunderstorm.

Woman was watching a movie called Zombieland, thought I heard something.

I dont remember a saddle shop in Chinook.


We had a tannery though. That place was cool.



No Martin saddles here. Got a Miles City Furstnow saddle.

This really caught my attention. I have two Furstnow saddles made in Miles City, Montana. They came though the store when I still had it and I snagged them for myself. Interesting history you can read about on the internet.
Jim, you don't give yourself enough credit. You did a fine job on that girl's saddle. You had to go with what you had to work with and took the initiative to make it stronger.
Not to boast, but I have three handmade saddles and there is a story behind each of them. All of them are double rigged and I always use a back cinch. Usually pull it up snug but not tight unless I know I am going to have to rope or pull something. As others have said, it needs to be snug enough that something doesn't get between the cinch and the horse's belly. Also helps keep the back of the saddle down in rough country.
I have had the honor to know several very accomplished saddlemaker and the opportunity to meet several others. Most of them have passed over. One is a good friend and still alive. It is not really a lost art but not very profitable and pretty specialized. I think most custom saddle makers now start between $3,000 and $4,000 and there is a six month to one year waiting list.
Back in the day a lot of Indians rode appaloosas and in fact the tribal leaders encouraged it. When they got where they were going they were ready to fight anything.

Heck I always thought they were pretty I also like the Indian paint like Little Joe on Bonanza rode.

I will have pictures up today Gruff.
Thanks for being patient.

Closer to the "I'm done beer".......