Seminar On Trees

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Rod and I have been tossing around the idea of putting together a short seminar on trees from a tree maker's perspective. Things we would talk about would include:

1.) Measuring a tree: what different measurements used, what they tell you and what they don't, what you can measure on a finished tree and what you can't, etc.

2.) Getting the looks you want in the different components of a tree:

a.) Fork – what factors affect the shape and how.

b.) Horn – wood versus metal, factors that affect the look and why.

c.) Cantle – the three slopes in every cantle and how they relate, factors that affect the shape and how they interact with dish, a bit about angles.

3.) Components of tree construction that affect the fit for the horse and how.

4.) Evaluating a horse for saddle fit – what you look at and why.

We are trying to gauge the level of interest in such a seminar if it were possible, so your input via the above poll would be appreciated.

Also, what other questions/topics would you like to see addressed in such a seminar?

[rgerbitz]

I would be interested, but travel would be difficult. Are you going to have some type of internet type seminar? Or a dvd would be cool.

Rob

[rickybobby]

Rod and I have been tossing around the idea of putting together a short seminar on trees from a tree maker's perspective. Things we would talk about would include:

1.) Measuring a tree: what different measurements used, what they tell you and what they don't, what you can measure on a finished tree and what you can't, etc.

2.) Getting the looks you want in the different components of a tree:

a.) Fork – what factors affect the shape and how.

b.) Horn – wood versus metal, factors that affect the look and why.

c.) Cantle – the three slopes in every cantle and how they relate, factors that affect the shape and how they interact with dish, a bit about angles.

3.) Components of tree construction that affect the fit for the horse and how.

4.) Evaluating a horse for saddle fit – what you look at and why.

We are trying to gauge the level of interest in such a seminar if it were possible, so your input via the above poll would be appreciated.

Also, what other questions/topics would you like to see addressed in such a seminar?

Rod & Denise

This kind of information would be great for some of us that are fairly "new" to ordering trees. It might also be nice to be able to know what specs the customer needs and be able to convey that to a tree maker.

Rick J.

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Thanks for the comments and the votes everyone. At this point this is in the idea stage only. How, when and if ever are all still up in the air so we appreciate any and all input.

[steadybrook]

It would be nice to see this type of info in conjunction with a trade show.Is there any saddle maker trade shows in Canada?

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

I don't think there is anything like that in Canada at all. I think if someone wanted to put one on in the Calgary area it would work well. But I don't know of anyone up here who wants to do something like that.

[colttrainer]

I don't think there is anything like that in Canada at all. I think if someone wanted to put one on in the Calgary area it would work well. But I don't know of anyone up here who wants to do something like that.

I bet if you got a hold of the stampede board or northlands (in conjunction with the finals) you could set something up.

Al

[steadybrook]

I would be interested,roughly how many saddlemakers are their in Alberta?

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Not sure how many saddle makers there are. Full time, part time or "make them in my basement in the winter on occation" time, there would add up to being quite a few. I think most would live in the south half of Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan. There are a few shows around trying to highlight the gear maker's work for the public: Kamloops, one in Calgary a few years back (is that still running?) and Andy Fadeeff has been organizing one for the last few years at Northlands during the finals. But nothing we know of like a trade show geared toward all leatherworkers, especially saddlemakers, that has leather and tools, etc. If something like that was put on in the Calgary area, especially around the time of the Stampede, I can see it drawing a lot of people even from south of the border. I don't know what it would take to get the vendors up here though since a lot of them would have to cross the line to come up and there are probably a lot of hurdles to jump to sell up here, same as going the other way. It sure would be nice to have something like that up here too though, and I think it would do OK.

[hiloper]

I'm new to this site, so just saw the topic. I would think this would be a good topic to have at the leather trade shows such as the show at Sheridan. You should contact the Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal with the idea.

Thanks,

Tommy C.

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Thanks Tommy. That would probably be one of the best venues for something like this we figure. We actually have been in contact with them, as early as 2007. So far they don't seem interested...

[Skidder]

Somewhere like the National Western Stock Show in Denver would be ideal. It's a huge event and while coupling the seminar with something like that, people would be more inclined to travel. I love your website and it's very informative. I also think a collaberative effort with a master saddler would also be great. I regularly run into discussions about "tweaking" trees by adding leather to accommodate irregularies in horses. It would be great to have a better understanding of what falls under the realm of the tree maker and the maker when designing a custom saddle. When to adjust. When not to. How to account for changes in a horse over its lifetime. For example, you're building a saddle for a 3 year old. How to you account for changes in it's body to give the longest use for the saddle without soring the horse.