Saddle Patterns

[stef73433]

I am going to attempt my first saddle.I an wondering if anyone can make any goods recommendations for patterns? I want to build a barrel saddle, so I well probably have to modify just about any pattern?

[St8LineGunsmith]

Dusty Johnson has paterns that will work for pretty much any style saddle you want to make

here are some saddle patterns you will find useful and they are free.

are you going to make the tree?

making the tree is the hardest part to make. since this will be your first saddle I would suggest buying a saddle tree that way you can get the right fit and see how the saddle tree is constructed.

you can get saddlery and tack hardware from tractor supply that is very reasonably priced

if you will do a google search "Western saddle patterns and "how to build a western saddle tree" you will get a lot of good research information that will get you started in the right direction

If you dont mind spending the money get all three volumes of the Stholman encyclopedia of saddle making

a little pricey but well worth every penny if you want to learn how to do it right. you can save some money by

getting a digital download from Leathercraftlibrary.com however I would recommend getting the hard copy's for quick reference that you can keep handy by your work bench.

Here is another PDF link you may find useful http://umaine.edu/4h...saddleology.pdf

Edited January 22, 2013 by St8LineGunsmith

[Wishful]

Nice links - thanks.

[stef73433]

Thank you so much, these links are great!! I am not making the tree,I will purchase one.I don't have the tools to build one. I am probably crazy for trying to build the saddle, much less the tree.I was thinking of ordering Dusty johnsons patterns, so this tells me I am on the right track.thanks again!

[St8LineGunsmith]

No problem, I am glad I could help

actually making the saddle parts are no more difficult than any other leather project as long as you have a good foundation to build on,the foundation being the tree.

if you follow tried and true procedures you will be able to make a nice saddle without a whole lot of difficulties

measure twice cut once

and you are better off making your parts too big than too small.

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

There are some really good discussions on the different saddle making DVDs and books on some threads that are pinned in the Resources section of the saddlery forum. The general consensus seems to be that you get what you pay for. Here's a couple of the links to get you started:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=7974

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1576

If you look through the old threads in the saddlery section, particularly back to 2007/2008, there are some pretty good discussions in there by some well qualified makers about saddles. Worth your time to read it.

From our perspective, we really wouldn't recommend you google "how to build a saddle tree". You tend to get inane stuff like this: http://www.ehow.com/how_6532333_can-build-saddle-tree_.html and this: http://www.ehow.com/how_10044557_make-saddle-horn.html We have a section on our website (link below) showing pictures of how we build trees, but it isn't a "how to". Building trees is a bit more complicated than taking a piece of wood and "whittling away everything that doesn't look like a tree".

[dirtclod]

I've had people bring saddles that had the whole fork pulled off of the bars and once the bars broke and went with the fork when tried ropeing something with a cheap made tree. All of them were i wished i had of been there when it happened just to see the peoples faces...LOL.

[St8LineGunsmith]

There are some really good discussions on the different saddle making DVDs and books on some threads that are pinned in the Resources section of the saddlery forum. The general consensus seems to be that you get what you pay for. Here's a couple of the links to get you started:

http://leatherworker...?showtopic=7974

http://leatherworker...?showtopic=1576

If you look through the old threads in the saddlery section, particularly back to 2007/2008, there are some pretty good discussions in there by some well qualified makers about saddles. Worth your time to read it.

From our perspective, we really wouldn't recommend you google "how to build a saddle tree". You tend to get inane stuff like this: http://www.ehow.com/...ddle-tree_.html and this: http://www.ehow.com/...addle-horn.html We have a section on our website (link below) showing pictures of how we build trees, but it isn't a "how to". Building trees is a bit more complicated than taking a piece of wood and "whittling away everything that doesn't look like a tree".

Rod or Dense

FWIW any information pertaning to saddle making is vague here in the forums it sems no one is willing to share information on how to do something without a price therefore using a search engine is some what beneficial at least to get some kind of an idea if something is doable by an individual with what tools and resources are readily available to them.

as far as the E how website is concerned has probably got to be one of the most worthless sites on the internet however

using the search query "how to make a saddle tree" can produce some good results as well at least enough for a person to determine whether attempting to make something is within their skill set or not so the search browsers are a good tool from that stand point.

here is a website that has some illustrations that are very helpful that shows how to properly fit a tree to the horse the saddle is being made for

http://www.cowboysaddlery.com/saddletrees.html

Here is another web page that shows the diffrent steps in making a saddle tree:

http://www.freckerssaddlery.com/saddle_tree.php

although it does not tell you how to make the tree it does show to some degree of what is involved in making the tree.

here is another page that shows some construction techniques and procedures of making a saddle tree

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/Custom-Old-West-Saddle-Tree.html

another good resource for basic knowledge

http://eclectic-horseman.com/content/view/218/33/

another

http://crestridgesaddlery.com/Backmap.html

lots of good info from Bruce Cheaney on youtube

[stef73433]

i love the above videos, very helpful