TrooperChuck Report post Posted February 17, 2009 [attachm ent=21230:saddle__6_010.jpg](Okay, I just bought one of those digital cameras... I hope this works.) This is the 6th saddle I've built. It is a 17" Santa Fe style, half-seat, with Sam Stagg rigging. I built it on Bowden's Santa Fe tree, using skirting leather from TLF. All the patterns are of my own design. Please ignore the stirrups... they are temporary, until I receive some plain wooden ones from Weaver. A couple of resources were invaluable for this project: -Half Seat Saddles by Dick Sherer, in the Sept/Oct 2004 issue of Leathercrafter's and Saddler's Journal. -The section on Sam Stagg rigging in Harry Adams, Jr.'s book, Saddle Maker's Shop Manual. There's a number of things I'll do differently on my next saddle, and I definately want to build a saddle with a better quality tree and leather. I built this saddle for myself, but a customer was in my shop recently and decided to buy it. So, now I get to build another one!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldtimer Report post Posted February 18, 2009 Nice, old timey saddle, Trooper Chuck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RDMetcalf Report post Posted July 21, 2014 I am listening and learning a lot here but I wanted to post to say I hope mine turns out half that nicely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oltoot Report post Posted July 21, 2014 If you had gotten to use it for awhile, perhaps you would figure out why that phase didn't last too long and makers were encouraged to develop first separate seat jockeys first brass nailed then sewn across the top. Pretty quick, too, makers started experimenting with making seat and jockeys one piece. Stayed at 8 button stage for awhile with loop seat, then leaving the loop seat stage behind and soon to the present day approach to seat/ground seat construction. Modern construction is the result of this trial and error process and continual discovery of 'better' ways to do things. Changes in tanning played a role, too starting with the early 1800's ubiquitous small tanneries to consolidation and getting 'better' and larger. The developing range cattle industry and post civil war inter regional mobility spread ideas around. Remember that the internet and getting to look at everything that is going on is only a few decades old. Changes in horse conformation were an important influence on rigging types. While saddles aint rocket science there is more to them than fallin off a log! Love to study and imagine how I would have acted/reacted to different times, trends, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted July 22, 2014 I agree with Toot. Pinching your leg under those stirrup leathers does hurt! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hennessy Report post Posted July 22, 2014 well said yer ol toot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
