Home Forums Gear Horses and ATV's Trying to find bulk harness leather

On our last packtrip last fall, one of the quarter straps on a packsaddle broke. Rode/hiked out in the dark, and were kind of dismayed when we got to the trailhead and found Tundo's (the most compliant horse in the Rocky Mountains) packsaddle darn near up on his neck. My saddle horse was carrying my son's deer, & so I was leading the packstring on foot. They don't really like me looking back at 'em with a headlamp on, and things were going smooth, plus it was black as the inside of a cow, so I wasn't monitoring things as close as usual. Anyway, most horses would have gone berserk, but not Rotundo, the Bronze Avenger.
So, I've made a few efforts since to come up with harness leather to repair that saddle. It's a Decker, and not exactly top of the line as it only has the upper quarter straps from the britching to the upper cinch rings. Long as I'm fixing things I figured I should add the lower quarter straps also.
Problem is, where does one find bulk strap like that?
It's just harness leather, about 1" wide. I've asked a couple of saddle shops, and the usual response is "bring it in, & we'll fix it for 'ya". Heck with that, this is a simple project if I can just find the leather. But you do a Google search for "bulk harness leather" or any other variation thereof that I can come up with, & see what turns up. More kinky [bleep] than you'd believe, that's what! Gads, page after page of bondage and S&M accoutrements. Some twisted folks out there <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. I'm a happily married guy, not just excessively kinky, and just want to fix my damn packsaddle....
Surely saddlemakers don't all buy leather by the side and cut their own straps? And if they do, apparently there's not a lot of demand for do-it-yourself harness repair types wanting to buy some online.
Any suggestions?

That's a tough one. I don't know anywhere that you can just but strapping. Usually you have to buy at least a 1/2 of a hide, which is lot more than a few straps. Most saddle and harness makers buy full hides and cut thier own. Your only out might be to just buy straps already cut and made up.

You might try Walkers' Pack Saddlery out of Lostine Oregon.
Jim is a pretty nice guy and might juts sell you some strapping,but it's not cheap

541-569-2226.

I ended up buying a whole hide through a taxidermy shop when I wanted to rerig a pack saddle that was in bad shape.
The trouble is that saddle and harness makers have good relationships with the people they buy leather from and you migt get some pretty crappy stuff if yuo just buy from a tannery.
Do you have any Tandy leather shops in your area?ou might search for leathercraft or leatherworking on Google also.

I'd looked up the Tandy leather website, and searched for every combination of relevant words I can think of, & no dice. Like you said, you can buy leather by the side, or probably by container load from tanneries in India, but it seems you can't just buy ten or fifteen feet of strap.
I've got a Walker's catalog around here someplace, & might give them a call. Ah, just noticed you have the number. Thanks....

Hi Rimrock-

Is it possible to fabricate what you need from saddle latigo and blevins buckles? Latigo is available up to 6' long x 1.5". I have seen stiffer latigo that is 2" wide x 5 or 6 feet long.

Worst case scenario I guess you could use nylon webbing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Good luck

--Mike

Latigo has too much stretch, or at least it does if it ever gets wet. I'm gonna call Walker's tomorrow and see if they'll send me three pieces of harness strap.

Just got back from our first overnighter packtrip of the year. Sort of a bear hunt, on some level, but mainly scouting. Elk galore. Just slept out with no tent, and when I sat up at first light this morning had six elk about 150 yards away. There's lots worse ways to start the day....

FWIW:

I have had good success getting leather from Shor Repair shops. They usually have good ole' shoe leather. I have had a knife sheath and various other stuff made by shoe repairmen.

Good Luck,

BMT

Rimrock-

Came across this--it may help you in your leather search. Scrollthrough the listings. If what you want is not there, they may be a source of material?

-Mike
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Eh?
Did you forget to include the link?

This might be a possibility. miles
http://www.jeffersequine.com

Rimrock,

I'm in the tack buisness down in wyoming, however I'm not a saddle maker so I don't usualy deal in materials. I'm pretty sure that you can get what you need from Montana leather out of Billings. 1-800-527-0227 They should sell to you direct, if not e-mail me and I'll see what I can do.

Ya sure, forgot the link, and to make things even better (not!) I can't find it again. Sorry. If I can re-locate it, I'll let you know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

--Mike

Haven't gotten around to calling Walker's yet, and with two more prospects now I should be able to come up with something.
Thanks.

If you want harness leather, your best bet is call a saddle maker and have him slice off what you need. There are bound to be plenty of makers in your part of the country. When I made my last round of repairs, I just bought a double shoulder and split what I needed off of it. I still have a little left. How long of pieces do you need? I'll measure mine and see how long the roll is.

Dennis

I need three pieces, about 3'6" by 1" wide. The ones on the saddle are 4' long, but there's some excess.

Rimrock-

Will this help you?

http://www.coloradosaddlery.com/coloradosaddlerysupplies8.html

Good Luck,

--Mike

I agree buy a honda, they just make the best quad with regards to the whole picture. All quads require maintaining and when they do need to be fixed will cost you, but IME hondas with the regular maint. will last longer and cost you less. I had an older polaris sportsman every 18-24 months the starter would go b/s placement in the first place on bottom of the bike(DUH!) and it chewed through batteries(I checked Volt reg, electrical panel, etc just ate up the batt!). It was a nice riding bike but wouldn't pull worth a damn(due to no real low gear) and liked double the fuel of my honda..sold it and replaced it with another honda! Any bike I buy now will be a honda, unless something really changes in ATV's!!! If you do buy a polaris you'll need a 2000lbs warn for 500cc and under and 2500 lbs warn for 500-700cc to do what you can with a honda. BTW, if you get a superwinch add 500 lbs.

"except one Bud has had a continual problem with a winch hookup (electrical). I don't think this is a AC problem in itself, though."

Most likely your pals winch is shorting out at the switch(rotary especially), however an easy fix, remove the hook up rap in electrical tape and put her back on...any exposed wire will short the switch out for a period..common problem BTW. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Rimrock, I have plenty PM me.

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