Denise

Neat saddle, but just to let you know, the "Swade" saddle tree terminology isn't new to you and your trainer friend. It has been used by a saddle maker and tree maker in Canada for quite a few years now. https://www.stevemasonsaddles.com/saddles.htm Great minds think alike, but every tree maker does things differently so just to beware that some people may have another design in mind if they ask you for a Swade.

Dusty Smith at https://wyosaddlesandtrees.com uses the system, as do a lot of the hand makers. I know Bowden does but I don't know about any other production makers. It is getting more commonly recognized.

I've moved this to the Saddle ID section because it is more likely to be seen by the saddlemakers who may have answers to your question. All the best!

Thanks Randy. Our lives have changed but things are still going well. We are coming out with a video on western saddle fitting soon, so that has been a learning curve and a half, but it has been rather fun. Have you been able to get a hold of Troy? I talked with him about Howard Council and roping trees a few years back and he had a lot of knowledge about him.

Troy West would be a good one to ask.

Whether it hits the spine or not with the groundseat will depend on the shape of the equine and the "fit" of the tree - wider trees being more likely to hit if the animal is narrower. Contacting the top of the spine anywhere down it can cause major, major problems for your horse that may even in the long run result in their death in the worst case scenario. If you plan to use this saddle on those equines, don't use this tree. Get something that fits well. If you really want to use a ralide tree, try a narrower tree to see if it still hits. But honestly, there are lots of trees out there with far more surface area on their bars, that this is important in spreading out weight and decreasing pressure under the saddle.

Anyone here worked with Premier Elements 13 in video editing? There is no way in the program to copy a finished segment from one project to another and we aren't sure if there is an external clipboard that will work to take multiple segments at time so we can copy a number of finished segments. I know we can put things together after they are finished and exported but would like to work more with the segments in the program without doing that if possible. Anyone know how to do this? Thanks, Denise

That, and finding narrow enough horses that it will work well on them. Horses are a lot larger and broader than they were 100 years ago. Sort of like a lot of people...

Randy, At this stage we have no plans to pull down the website. We are also working on a video about how western saddles work on horses - fitting information. And who knows, maybe the info will be put into a book some day? We'll see...

Louellen's and Packers are both nicely shaped forks. They have side cut similar to a Modified Association but their tops slope off more than the Mod Assoc, the Packer sloping more than the Louellen (regardless of the spelling, which varies depending on the maker). A 12" wide fork is my personal preference as it gives enough swell but not a lot extra that can add weight, which you usually don't want for a woman's saddle which is basically a trail riding saddle. It is all personal preference anyway, and there's mine!

I moved your topic to the saddle ID, restoration and repair forum. More likely to get answers here.

It's moved! Have fun with your project!

Cheryl, I have combined all your separate threads on this one subject into one post, as we usually do with duplicate posts on this forum. I have left it in the Leatherwork Conversation forum as that is where it has garnered the most interest. If you wish me to move it into another forum, please let me know. Additional posts regarding this topic can be added to this thread. All the best in getting to Sheridan.

This is a good place to post, but there is a saddle section where it would more likely be noticed by people with saddle interests. Try the Resources section there.

Both these books have been commonly read by saddle makers. The Beaties book was actually recommended reading in a saddle making course here in Alberta a few years ago. I've read it, though I'm not a saddle maker. I got a copy through inter-library loan, which is a really good option prior to buying. Some good information in it. It has been a very influential book in the saddle making world, I think. The They Saddled the West book is decent history on saddles in North America. We eventually splurged on a copy off Amazon to get one for ourselves. I think we paid more than the $84 they are asking. Nice to have in the library of someone serious about learning about saddles and their history.