BondoBobCustomSaddles

BillB, Thanks for the advice on computer help. I think I got it. I posted a few more pictures last night . You should be able to see them in "showing off". All together, there are pics of 4 different saddles I have made in the past, I am working on one right now in my spare time, that is a period design. I will post some pics of it as it gets along to recognition, or if I come to a part of particular interest for someone out there on the "how to" section. Happy Trails! Bondo Bob

Well I think I finally have it down as far as getting the pictures small enough to attach. Here are some more, and now I can dig into the files and see if I can get out some more interesting photos for you. I have added a couple more pics of that cutting saddle for Greybeard. Also, Greg, that rig on "Duke" is a setup up I kind of worked up. He is a great working horse with a motor that just keeps running. Never quits, but; with a bit in his mouth he is always playing with it to the point that he stops paying attention to the task at hand. He loves to work cows, and in that rig, he pretty much goes at it on his own, all I do is point him onto the one I want. He is now 13 yrs and shows no sign of slowing down. Shown here are pretty much the gamit from a "base saddle" to one that is decked out. All saddles that I make are custom made to order of the owner. Happy Trails! Bondo Bob

So far, these are the only 2 pics I can get small enough to attach. Guess I will have to work some more at it. Shown is a saddle I built for a lady that had a buckskin. It is actually dark brown and makes a good contrast on him. Also, there is a pic of a cutting saddle made for a horse that is really wide through the withers and chest and they had a hard time finding a saddle that fit him correctly without pinching him. I will try to get that picture resizing thing down, so I can post some other pics. Happy Trails! Bondo Bob

Tim, A final word. Basically all the info in other posts is good. If you feel that you need a more detailed description of how to do it, with or without a slit and lacing, the best explanation I have seen, is in the Encyclopedia of Saddle Making by Al Stohlman. Very detailed, and if you take your time and follow all the information, you will end up with a professional looking finish. Bondo Bob

Alan, Just a word, using raw hide to reinforce stress areas is the old fashioned way. I have been doing it that way for over 15 years myself, and yet to have one fail. Several years ago I spoke with Ann Stohlman about the use of raw hide and it was also her observation that the use of rawhide, while difficult to work with , yields excellent durability. The only problem I have ever seen with rawhide is, if you are not careful as to where you keep your saddle when not in use, the mice/rats will get at it. To them it is like candy! I am currently re-doing all the rawhide trim on a saddle I made for someone in Kentucky many years ago for that very reason. Keep it up the good work! Bondo Bob

Hi Folks! This is just a note to say Hi. I am located in Manchester Mi. I have been a saddle maker for 15 years or so, and involved with horses in one form or another since 1973. I have recently retired from the auto industry, and now have more time to devote to making saddles and tack. I currently reside in Manchester. I do a lot of tack repair out of Jacobs Boots and Saddles, Lakeside Saddlery and Scott Colburns here in Michigan, and also make custom saddles for the discriminating horsemen both here in Michigan and out state also. I make all of my custom work, the old fashioned way, by hand, including stitching. I recently took over the repair work at the newly opened Pinnacle Race Course in Romulus Michigan, and durring the race season that keeps me pretty busy. Anyway, I think, I just posted a couple of pics of some of my work with this note, this computer stuff is not my forte. I just thought that I would join in on the conversations and so on maybe I could help, or maybe learn something while I browse on this sight! I look forward to future note and info. Bondo Bob P.S. Guess I didn't get the pictures right or something. It says that the pictures are larger than the 1000K bytes allowed. Maybe someone can tell me how to post pictures, there has to be something I am doing wrong. Address is pbuono7733@att.net