Stirrup Leather Guides

[Billy H]

Saddlebag, Great idea!

Hidepounder, I know that you were kidding; but that is the absolute truth!

The last saddle I built had blood stains all over the underside of the seat jockey. I was truly in a panic, thinking that I would not be able to get the leathers fished through.

My right hand knuckles were sore for nearly a month.

[GrampaJoel]

Now this I would like to see a photo or two of. This sounds like a knuckle saver for sure.

[mulefool]

I've used a flexible plastic ruler in the same way, but they're a little more brittle, i've broken a couple that way. This sounds like it would be less likely to break. I guess frustration is the mother of invention. thanks for sharing. Chris

[alb]

I have scraped knuckles right now from a particularly ornery saddle I worked on last week. It's not often that the huge wooden wedge we use fails, but we sure worked up a sweat on this one. I'm looking forward to trying this trick on the next tight one. Thanks for posting!

Ann

I've used a flexible plastic ruler in the same way, but they're a little more brittle, i've broken a couple that way. This sounds like it would be less likely to break. I guess frustration is the mother of invention. thanks for sharing. Chris

[Saddlebag]

I'm glad this trick is of benefit to others. While I was trying to figure out a better/easier way to string leathers I knew I needed something slippery, like plastic. Lo and behold an empty tall yogurt container was sitting on the counter staring at me. I had a huge AHA moment and cut a strip of plastic from it. Scrounged around and found another. The curl in the plastic is also helpful and for any yogurt lover, replacements are cheap.

[Hennessy]

when i replace leathers i first tie curtain cord onto old leathers and slide them out leaving the cord on both sides of the bar, right and left has cords.with these cords i tie thru a hole on the tip of new leas i use skidmores a buttery paste and grease up leas about one foot then pull corded tip up n over n under rarely a problem sometimes th handhold skirt nail needs to be loosed works good for me.

[Saddlebag]

Hey guys, had another AHA moment today. While trying to deal with a bad case of bronchitis for the past few days my horse's water buckets froze solid. I don't normally let this happen but if I bend over I start marathon coughing bouts. While leaving the house I noticed the plastic tobaggan which has sides, leaning up against the railing. This is where the AHA hit me. At the fence I slid it backwards partway under the fence with my foot, moved the pipe from the hydrant and voila, a new water container. Any leftover was easily emptied without my having to bend over. The tobaggan is now outside the fence waiting for the next watering.

[Suze]

See there is always a "second use" for everything

you just have to think of it first

feel better soon

[buckaroogal]

I take a coat hanger run it up thru first then with the end bent put that thru the bottom hole of the leather and pull it thru.

[Randy Cornelius]

I may have to try this one, But I keep a bale of big bailer twine in the shop. Tie one end to the old leather when I pull them out. Leave the twine hanging out and punch a small hole in the end of the new leathers, tie on the twine, soak the end of the leathers to bend them just a little and usually they pull right through without sikined knuckles. I read in the Al Stolhman books that he used Vasline to lube up the bars for pulled the leathers through. I have some saddle butter of some flavor that I have used but don't like the idea of Vasline.

Randy