Billy H

Hi Keith, I don't think I disagree with what your saying. But regardless what industry-----there is always going to be good and bad and some-where in the middle. That will go on as long as there is human nature. My" SOAP BOX" I think that as adults it is our responsibility to educate ourselves about safety before we get into a hobby or sport ,especially when it comes to" Horses". There are so many folks out riding horses with terrible equipment, bad for the riders safety and bad for the horses safety. Again it comes back to human nature. Can't tell you how many times I have had to endure stories of how someone got such a good deal on a saddle and then ended up in a wreck with the horse because either something broke or the fit was no where close to the animal they where riding. Sometimes I just want to scream at them an say you #%*## what did you expect. Sorry,I needed to vent (ok I feel better). Billy

Thankyou for the nice words Ann. Billy

Thankyou joel, YUP horses and kids are a good combination, seems to keep them out of most trouble and starts the the road of life to responsibility. Hi Denise! When I read your response I started laughing. My Boys saddle is on a second set of fenders & Leathers--- first set was about 2 inches to long, they just have such short little legs. My little girl Anna is 9, I built her saddle almost a year ago for her birthday. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided Lace-up Leathers where a good idea. I swear that her legs grow 1/4 inch everytime she gets on her horse! I will try and get some picture of them on their ponies. I had a bunch of my Anna riding this summer but my D%*#! camera some how deleted all of those pictures when I tried to tranfer to the computer. My boy Samo has not had his on his pony yet, I just finished his saddle about a week ago, still need to cut his Latigos today. Billy

Thanks Kate. My kids came pretty late in life-----they have changed the way I look at life in the morning, for the better. There are not a whole lot of things I find more enjoyable than to watch kids ride horses. Billy

Well looks like I finally got it !!!!!!!!! Denise, If you happen to come across this post--------(THANKYOU for your help!) with out your help I would be still be sittin here scratching my head on how to get a picture posted. Thanks JW, I was trying my best to have a seat profile on my little boys saddle (Square Skirt) look like so many of your saddles I have seen. Can't say as I got that done but it seems to fit his 7 yearold bottom pretty well. This saddle making has a HUGE learning curve to it. The folks on this forum are really great at giving their wisdom, expert advise that has taken them years to aquire. I appreciate it and want to thankyou all. Billy

Thought I would try my hand at trying to post a few pictures. I will apologise in advance if this is a mess. Thanks Billy

Howdy Folks, Well since this thread was resurrected, thought I would add a little interesting tid-bit that I came across. Chas Weldon did some restoring work on a Will James saddle built by Jack Connolly. As Chas Weldon tells the history of this particular saddle--- Will James had the Connolly Brothers build this saddle with Carpet lining because of his distaste of the Sheep-Man. What I found really interesting was how Jack Connolly used "Binding" to wrap the edges of the carpet to the skirt. Beautiful craftmanship for sure! If your interested-- Keith Valley filmed some of the work being done by Chas Weldon. He has the video on YouTube. You can also find it on Keith Valleys website. Billy

Jacquee, Your work is beautiful! A few years back we had to put down an old friend (Morgan Gelding), My daughters best friend. We have his tail hairs, just sitting in a dresser. What could you do with that amount of hair? Thanks Billy

Hey Bobby, Looks like some- things went to Cyber world last night. Thought you might want mention the classes you will give at Sheridan again.

Thanks Denise!

Thanks Guys! I just don't know? I think maybe I am not working the rinkles out enough or in the wrong direction. The old saying-----pictures are worth a thousand words would hold true in this case. Denise if you happen to read this would you bring up that one thread on how to post pictures please. For some reason I just can not get it done and can not find that thread. Lots of good people on this forum and a whole lot of talent! Billy

Hi Alan, Looks good! When your weather permits, would enjoy seeing it saddled up on your horse. Thanks for posting--- Billy

Really good looking saddle with nice lines. Thanks for posting! Billy

Thanks Bob and JReddings, I have been struggling with the binders. How do you guys make it look nice and neat when cutting the excess after sewing. I work really hard to make the sewing look nice, but when I cut the excess leather off--- the end result is poor. ( very frustrating ) Thanks Billy

Keith, It is truley beautiful in every aspect. ( I am blown away and just shaking my head ) Thanks, Billy

Hi Steve, You don't come across offensive to me at all, your just stating what you have experienced and what you be believe in. I like to read and hear what people have to say, it is a good way to learn ( I'm always learning and hope I never stop). I have not been a Saddle Maker for very long, but I have been around saddles and horses all of my life and have never seen a Brass Rigging wear out. I did see a Brass Rigging Ring break--- it was on one of my Dads saddles. He would load his horses saddled into the stock truck, some how got the rigging snagged on a ty ring, horse got stupid and in the end the saddle got torn up and so did the horse.(I think it was a good thing that the ring broke, could have been really ugly) I am no metallurgist, I needed to look up what #70 manganese bronze alloy is, sounds a whole lot stronger than solid brass. I hope that I didn't come across as a smart ass, it was not my intention. I figure a forum is a good place to give thoughts and ideas and experiences---a good way to learn. Respectfully, Billy

Hi Checker78, The Borks are super nice folks. When I first called them Mrs. Bork was a little reluctant about just sending hardware without money in hand. At that time they did not take credit cards. I just assured her I was a honest fellow.and not to worry. Hey Steve Mason! I respect you huge as a saddle maker, but I like Brass and have never seen Brass rigging ware out. I've been looking to see if you have made a saddle recently, nothin to drool over in the morning. That 8 string you did is one of the finest rigs I have ever seen ( classy). Billy

Hi Tom, If this is your first saddle, I am truley impressed! You must have alot of talent in those hands of yours. I am not going to offer critique, I just don't have enough experience to throw out there . I will say that your Ear cuts are very nice, not easy to do and make them fit nice, one of many things that challenge me. Great Job! Regards Billy

Hi Bob, I like your Hidden Stich Bind-- I tried one and did not turn out that nice. Practice,practice,practice. Thanks for posting, Billy

Thanks Robin! I did just what you suggested, seems to have done the trick. The Borks hardware is really nice stuff. When I order from Mrs. Bork, I use my cell phone with no long distance charge. The best I've done when ordering from her is 20 minutes, we always need to get out our opinions on the days politics. She is a very nice lady. Thanks again Billy

Steve, I always look at your saddles over and over and over-------you get the picture. What always stands out for me; is your machine stitching. Your Skirts and Rigging is near perfect in my book. Among other things I struggle to make them look clean. I have ruined more than one pair of skirts with poor stitching, and used language that would have made my Grand Mom get the soap out. Thanks for posting, Billy

Saddlebag, Great idea! Hidepounder, I know that you were kidding; but that is the absolute truth! The last saddle I built had blood stains all over the underside of the seat jockey. I was truly in a panic, thinking that I would not be able to get the leathers fished through. My right hand knuckles were sore for nearly a month.

Hey Denise, thanks for the info. Billy

Just wondering if Harwood saddle hardware is still available. Also wondering if you folks have used White bronze hardware for saddle rigging? I got some from the Borks; everytime I handle the rigging plates I end up with dark fingers so I have not used them so far. Thanks Billy