buffalo Report post Posted February 4, 2008 I'm thinking about building me a half seat saddle. I've never rode on one what are your ideas about them? Are they as comfortable? What are some tricks or special things to do when building one? Thanks in advance: Buff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidemechanic Report post Posted February 5, 2008 I frankly, build the seat the same as a full seat, I just have less to carve. Think about where most of your weight is, it's not in the front half of the seat so comfort shouldn't be an issue. As to tricks and hints, I plan for the swell cover to come way back of where it does on a later models. In kind I do the same with the seat cover, so what happens is you get enough leather to cover the bars where they would normally be exposed. I feather them down and over lap and glue in place and have the 'seam' under the stirrup leather. It takes carfull planning where to make your cut when the seat leather turns under the the front edge of the half seat( which I pink with a 1/2" half round punch and use e-pings or brass screws to attatch under the seat edge) and around the bars. When my new camera comes in I'll try to get pics of what I mean. Also on the Sam Stagg rigg, I plan each strap so as to be able to use my draw down to pull them into their prosective places while on the dry. This aviods gaps later and helps them lay tight against the swell. Another cool thing I think I saw on a saddle Dick Shearer did a piece on in the LCSJ, is shape the rear jockey(kind of an ear in front) so as to lay under the seat leather as it comes down to wrap around the bar. Just another way to tie up lose ends. I'm sure it would be a pain if it had to be worked on later but I think it is a neat look. I'm sure we'll get to hear some more suggestions. GH Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffalo Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Thanks. Any close up pictures would sure be welcome. Regards Buff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldtimer Report post Posted February 5, 2008 I'm thinking about building me a half seat saddle. I've never rode on one what are your ideas about them? Are they as comfortable? What are some tricks or special things to do when building one? Thanks in advance: Buff Hey Buffalo. I have built a couple of half seat saddles, the latest project was a Santa Fe style saddle for my own use ( to keep weight down on the trail). A half seat saddle , with the groundseat properly installed and shaped, makes a very comfortable piece to ride. I built the front rigging old mexican style and installed a rosewood horn cap with a brass Texas Star (to cover the screw heads). There are no special tricks to build a half seat. I have used my saddle for a couple of years, riding week long trails up in the Swedish mountains, and I won´t trade it for a regular western saddle. My next saddle project will be a half seat saddle built on a Wade tree. "If you ain´t riding a half seat, you might just as well walk" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldtimer Report post Posted February 5, 2008 (edited) Thanks. Any close up pictures would sure be welcome.Regards Buff A "Tejas style" Santa Fe saddle, Mexican double rigging, Rosewood horn cap with an inletted solid brass Texas star, built on a Santa Fe Full QH tree from Timberline. Weight: 11 kilos. A comfortable and practical piece of equipment for the trail Edited February 5, 2008 by oldtimer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffalo Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Thanks for the pic's. The lighter weight for the trail is my reason for wanting one also. Regards Buff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZThunderPony Report post Posted February 17, 2008 A "Tejas style" Santa Fe saddle, Mexican double rigging, Rosewood horn cap with an inletted solid brass Texas star, built on a Santa Fe Full QH tree from Timberline. Weight: 11 kilos. A comfortable and practical piece of equipment for the trail Oldtimer, I love this saddle!! Its nearly the exact saddle I want to have built for my Spanish Mustangs. With a Meana or Santa Fe slick fork tree made from a mold of my SM's back of course and including a Sam Stagg rigging. lol Very nice saddle!!!! S Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldtimer Report post Posted February 18, 2008 (edited) Oldtimer, I love this saddle!! Its nearly the exact saddle I want to have built for my Spanish Mustangs. With a Meana or Santa Fe slick fork tree made from a mold of my SM's back of course and including a Sam Stagg rigging. lol Very nice saddle!!!! S Thanks ! Btw I found a pic on the web, showing how to use the cantle handholes on the old Santa Fe saddle, to make it a makeshift pack saddle. Edited February 18, 2008 by oldtimer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
