Billy H

Andy, Really beautiful saddle! ( Very cool Horn Cap ) How does Ostrich hold up over time as a inlaid seat ? I know that you have made many inlaid seats over the years, have you had to redo seats because the inlay wears faster than the skirt leather ? Thanks Billy

Hi JW, That swell does not look easy to fit. Your braided welts always look nice and neat. ( great job ) Thanks for posting! I always look forward to your next. Billy

Hi Goldpony, Hey I was not directing my story toward you, just relating a experience that I went through not to long ago. I hope you get things worked out. Billy

JRedding, your words of breaking in a saddle or saddle blanket are so true! Regardless of how good the Saddle Maker,every new saddle needs a little bit of sweat and dust. About 4 years ago I made a saddle for the best Cowboy that I ever new ( my Dad ), I have never seen a man so comfortable on horse back. Unfotunately he never was able to break the saddle in. His horse of many many years had to be put down and health took both mind and body. After letting his ashes go to the wind I sat on his saddle trying to figure out what I should do with his saddle. My dad would have said " saddle up boy! a saddle on a stand and not on a horse is a crying shame ". So I grab it off the stand, put it on top of a nice little mare. Well the saddle fit pretty good but not perfect. The Shearling needed to be compressed, Skirts fit nice but needed some sweat to truly take shape of the horses back, fender and leathers have Twist and Wrap but needed some miles and sweat to truly take shape to my boot and leg. I really worked hard on that Ground seat (turned out really nice), but after a month in the saddle----- man it sits really well. I tend to be a wind bag sometimes, sorry guys! JRedding words of giving a Maker a chance are so true, we put our hart and soul into these saddles, we want them to be injoyed for generations. Have a good weeked, regards Billy

Well Goldpony, If it were me I would cinch up that new saddle on that Fjord and start puttin some miles. Respectfully Billy

JRedding-----------Very well written, great points.

Hey Goldpony, This is just a thought. You might want to get some rear billets put on and use that leather cinch there. What do you guys think? I am not sure how many strands a roper mohair is, but I ride alot of Haflingers with same build and a 19 or 21 strand works real well for me. I always enjoy seeing the saddle on the horse instead of on a stand. Keep us posted! Billy

Goldpony, Congrats on the new saddle! I can not tell for sure, but it looks like you have a Fjord saddled up. Those horses can be a challenge to fit well, your saddle looks good up there. Keith made a real good comment on the length of cinch, TK also made a good comment about bulk. Bob I think is right on about once you get a good mohair cinch of proper length--- if it moves forward a little I do not think it will bother the horse. Get some miles on that new rig!!! Billy

To GrampaJoel, Rod and Denise and all others who have added to this thread: Thanks it has been a great read!! Now I would like to add a little to it if I may. First: I must defend horses that are not mean and lean. My little girl rides a little Icelandic Pony that was born fat and round and will go to her grave fat and round!! My daughter rides that little horse 5 or 6 days a week when school work allows it, and in the summer she and her best friend are 5 or 6 hours a day-- 7 days a week. I tellya watching that fat little pony take off into the sunset with my little girl and her perfect fitting Slick Fork saddle I made her under the Tolt gait is pure poetry in motion. LOL! Second: As I said earlier in the thread, I think saddle fitting can be made more complicated than needs to be. But I do not fully agree with those who think a ill fitting saddle will not sore a horse even though the average pleasure rider only rides for a short time. I have seen horses sore within 15 minutes of a trail ride and before you know it the rider is on the ground and the horse is crow hoping 20 yards down the trail. Now I know you folks might come back at me and say that ill fitting and not a perfect fit are not the same thing. I get it. But what I have not picked out of this thread is over all performance of the horse and rider. Creative padding to me is a accident waiting to happen. The saddle should fit very well in order for that horse to perform well wich in turn helps the rider to perform well. My thought is-- if the saddle does not fit well then both horse and rider are out of balance and it becomes a Domino effect. In the end the horse is slow to learn and the rider becomes discouraged and looses confidence in themselves and their horse. The end result is a dusty saddle and horse used as yard art. My personal feeling is that everybody who owns a horse should have at least TWO Custom Hand Made saddles for each horse and the different seasons. I would like to add that this forum is very cool!!!! I have learned a mountain full, thanks to all you folks. Billy

Rod and Denise, Thank you for helping me to better understand what is most important! I know you say that it all can be a big can of worms, and I would agree...... but sometimes I think people can make it more difficult than needs to be. When you spoke of enough relief to the back end of the Bar, that dusty old light came on! Thanks Billy

Hi Denise, When I wrote my question it seemed so clear! LOL The PICTURE that you show with you and Rod would be a great example. Once the Saddle Tree has found its place to ride on the horses back (settled in its spot)........... Where do you and other Makers think the back end of the BAR lay. I hope that makes sense. I ask because not all horses have the same length back. ( what is to short or to long past the back of the Cantle) If you have a Quarter Horse (Average in build) and a Haflinger Horse (Average in build).........In my minds eye they would not take the same length BAR, but should the back end of the BARS end at the same position on the back. My apologies to all, In college I got a C in english. Thanks Billy

Grandpa Joel, You asked a great question! If you dont mind (not trying to take your post over) ............. This is to Tree Makers, Saddle Makers, Where do you all feel the back of the bar should lay on the horses back once it settles in? Billy

JW, I sure like the looks of your saddles!! One of my all time favorites is one you did for wife. Billy

Hi Steve, Missed this post until tonight. I like it alot! If you do not mind me asking, what is the difference between a 3b and a Weatherly - I look at both and to me they look the same. Thanks Billy

dmr, Real nice job! Billy

Hi Huntet02, I just have to ask--------------- What was the end result? I hope it turned out well. Billy

Sorry to bother you all, But I can not get a picture posted, I'm sure it is due to my poor computer skills. My Dad passed away and I would like to post a picture of a saddle I made him. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Billy Name: Billy UserName: Billy H IP Address: 70.41.4.217 Email Address: septemberranch@wbecin.net

Hey Ross, Nice Rig! I'm With you, Swell Forks always catch my eye. I am glad that you are able to get some saddles out there, around this part of the country people are given horses away and puttin tack on EBAY. Tough economy now. Billy

Nevadan, What a great picture!! Billy

Hey Keith, You are in that same caliber of makers that I refer too. I can not remember if I have seen your work on this forum, but I have looked at your Web site on more than one occasion and find myself saying wow. Billy

Troy, What a fine looking saddle! I'm with Hidepounder, if I put it on one of my horses first thing they would do is find a fence or trailer to rub against and I would never forgive myself or I'd have to shoot them to feel better. I look at your work, and become a little discouraged, I passed the half century mark and I know there are not enough years left to get to your skill level. Thanks for posting your work, love to look with a cup of coffee in the morning. Billy

Thank you Steve! I am a green horn to saddle making . I would like to post pictures of the saddle i made using your method but for some reason it keeps telling me my file is to big. Thanks again Billy

Man that's cool! Love that Binding and Horn, have no idea how you did that. Billy

Steve and Troy, Thanks for your replies! I figure two of the best Makers in the country like them and still build them is good enough for me!! If you don't mind me asking, what position do you like to put the ring at and what size of ring do you guys like best? Thanks again, Billy

Morning, A few months ago I built my little girl a saddle and used a Ring rig set at 3/4 position, seems to be working fine. Recently I started a Wade saddle for myself and have been thinking of doing a Ring Rig for it also. I don't see many folks building them or riding them these days. I would appreciate some thoughts as to what you Makers and Cowboys think of Ring Rigs. Thanks Billy