Saddle Construction
Learn from experts about the art of building a good saddle.
662 topics in this forum
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Rules for Straps ©Verlane Desgrange 2003 All the stress on a strap is lengthwise. Straps take more punishment than large pieces of leather. Because of that, straps need some special treatment. These rules are designed for the user's safety in mind and the longevity of the product Never stitch crosswise on a strap. It is an invitation to break exactly where the stitching is. This is the classic phrase: "Tear on the dotted line". Remove as little leather as is necessary to get the job done. That includes: Punch only the number of holes needed (but always an odd number so you have a center hole) Skive only if needed where the strap makes contact with hardware for…
Last reply by Trox, -
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I will attempt to show my meathod of puttig in a all leather ground seat.We start with the bare tree and I add risers We then skive the risers to the shape of the bars Then i add the leather strainer piece and skive it to desired shape Followed by 3 pieces on top of it Skive to shape then add cover piece and skive out final shape Hope this will help some out .I cut the hand hole and stirrup slots after the seat is streched in. Steve
Last reply by plinkercases, -
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I usually put a frog on my rear jockeys because I have never been satisfied with my attempts at lacing them together. I would appreciate any advice on completing the task including what size holes to punch, how far btwn holes, what width lace. Thank you
Last reply by Kate, -
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Verlane Desgrange graciously agreed to share her illustrations of the parts of a saddle and the proper terms to describe the pieces. Please feel free to copy or print the diagrams for your own personal use, but please respect Verlane's request not to alter or modify her drawings in any way, or to use them for commercial purposes. Thanks, everybody! Johanna SaddlepartsVerlane.doc SaddlepartsVerlane.doc
Last reply by houndsnmules, -
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I would be interested in what everyone has to say about putting in the riggin and skirts. When I start on a saddle I usually use the center of the horn and the center of the cantle as my reference points. And then when I am in the process of attaching riggin and skirts I will use a straight edge on front of the fork resting on the top of the bars and also on the back of the fork. I usually try and find a happy medium between all of these. Sometimes I am not very happy with the end result. It seems like I end up having to make some compromises. I also wonder if you should be looking at the bottom side in regards to the riggin and not so much concern about what shows u…
Last reply by BondoBobCustomSaddles, -
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While browsing Youtube for videos of English saddle construction, for some very strange reason this suggestion popped up. I speak very limited Spanish, so I can't make out what kind of straw that they use, and I think the saddle might be for the horse mounted person in a bullfight arena, but I am not sure. The interesting thing is that the saddle is built without a traditional tree. All the stiffness comes from straw. There is also some interesting decorations, that I guess are traditional. Definitely worth watching.
Last reply by Mulesaw, -
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Hi folks, I was hoping someone from the group might explain or show in pictures how to hang Buena Vista stirrup leathers. I thought it was pretty straightforward initially, but evidently it’s not.The way they are rigged is kind of backwards and upside down. Thank you.
Last reply by Goldshot Ron, -
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I am deconstructing an old saddle of mine. First time, no help but what I get online. Are there tricks to removing the tiny nails that are in old thin leather without tearing it? Also, my saddle's skirts are sewn together. I was advised not to cut them loose and just take it apart together. Since I have never done this before, I don't know if I will be able to really clean and condition the leather unless I cut them loose. Any advise?
Last reply by SherriTRN, -
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Hi, I’m thinking about trying my hand at building an 1860-1870s style saddle. I’ve seen some great discussions on this forum about building 19th century reproduction saddles, but most of them are pretty old, with a lot of links that don’t work anymore, so I figured I’d start a new one. I’m still in the initial planning stage, so I haven’t even figured out which specific saddle I’ll be basing mine on. I’m thinking it will be half-seat and Sam Stagg rigged. I’ve requested the book “Saddles” via interlibrary loan, and am hopping it will provide some inspiration. Any other advice for finding examples of old saddles that I can use for planning mine? Who are the curr…
Last reply by CWC, -
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I hope this is the right subforum. I grew up in our families leather machinery company, but want to learn more about saddlemaking and keep my Dad's old leather tools in use (he was a Saddle and Harness maker before getting into the equipment side of things). In particular, I'm interested in classic pre-1960's methods and construction, and eventually want to restore some family saddles. Before I jump into those projects, I'm going to try my hand at this one. This started as an 80% finished Saddle that was thrown in with some used equipment we bought. The leather wasn't cut very symmetrical and the stitching is all over the place (I'm guessing it was all hand sewn…
Last reply by mbnaegle,
