Horsecloud

Thank you all again. I only need to have this new saddle to fit Cody. I don't want it to try and fit the other ones. My Martin fits them well and I will continue to use that one on the others. I did have someone come over last night and they put a full bar saddle on him and I could tell the difference right away. It fit way better than my Martin so I don't think I'll have much of a problem finding something as long as I stay with full or wide bars. It'll be a process. At this point, I'm going with the guy who uses the Bowden tree, but have a lot more questions for him, and if that doesn't work out I'll be taking my horse to a saddle shop that helps you fit your horse with saddles that are both new or used brand names to choose from. I have to give it to you all, your craft is amazing and I respect what you can do with some wood and leather! Works of art. I wish I could afford to have some of that western history myself. Thanks for teaching this uneducated person some things along the way.

Keith, I see you are from Cody Wy. We loved visiting there on vacation and the horse in question is named after that town. As for the white hairs, they are down from his withers about 3" I would say and they spread out about 3" horizontally. His dry spots are of course in that area as well. The saddle I have does not slip forwards, backwards or to the left or right. It stays in place. I have tried different thickness of pads. I did call directly to Martin saddelry and the person I was talking to let me know without question that there is no such thing as "full" bars. I understand what he was meaning, but, he failed to let me know what it was that I was needing. I'm assuming I need a wider gullet and different pitch? I'm still looking into all of my options. I put out on my saddle club forum that I would love to be able to borrow someone's saddle with full bars, (they knew what I mean cause we're all laymen when it comes to this) and I will be trying out a few saddes that are at least wider in the gullet this weekend. I'm hoping he just needs help in that area and to be able to find several saddles ready made with "full'' bars. (What am I supposed to call that if not full bars anyway???) Do you all just say the inches? If the saddles I am borrowing don't do the trick then I will be looking into getting one made off someone here possibly. I still feel the pull from the man who uses the Bowden tree because I'm pretty sure it will be the correct measurement for my horse. But, I'm realizing I have to resist since the tree is questionable. Thank you.

I'll take a look here this week. Thanks.

Thanks for the replies, I haven't gotten back to you all because I am mulling over everything. My main question is, how do I get the correct measurements of my horse to you? I don't feel confident doing that myself to tell you the truth. This was one of my reasons for choosing someone that was fairly close to me. I felt comfortable with them taking the measurements with their templates. If I were to do this with someone on here, how would I go about it? I am sure you all are very experienced. Bottom line I want a good quality saddle that FITS my horse and myself of course. I know this is a stupid question to you all, but, how do I go about doing the templates myself and know that they are accurate. It's a huge expense for me if I don't do it right. And, please don't judge or laugh at me, I am in love with my saddle and would like it to come as close to it as possible. The saddle fits three of my horses but my main trail horse it does not and he is starting to get some white hairs on him. The saddle is made by Martin saddlery and it's the Clinton Anderson saddle. A mix between an Aussie and western saddle. My mind is open to going through a maker here, I just don't know how to go about it. Thanks.

I am in the process of trying to find the correct saddle maker for me in my area. I was hoping to get some info from here. I have three people that I have been given names of that make saddles. One uses the Bowden tree, the other uses the Double C company and I am not sure of the other one but here is a link to where she gets them from. http://www.horsetack-supplies.com/onlinestore.php?homeinclude=catalog&category_id=28437&parent_id=28437 All three would use templates to fit my horse, but the last one only takes the measurements and sends it out to be made. This is the reason why I am leaning more towards the other two who actually get the tree and make them themselves. I am also leaning towards the Bowden person since he can incorporate more of what I want in the saddle. One question I have is that I have picked out a tree that best suits me, I am so inexperienced on this I don't know the answer to this question, will the tree that I have picked out be able to be made to my horse's specific measurements? What are some things I need to know before I go ahead with anyone? I did read someplace that someone got a tree from Bowden and it didn't sit even on the table so he didn't want that one. How can I be assured that I don't get something like that? ANY other info you can all throw my way will be much appreciated. Thank you. Also, should I just go with a ready made, name brand one if the trees I have given for considertation are not of great quality?