pella Report post Posted May 6, 2009 Hello, would like to know when you older saddler began to see the synthetic fleece on saddles? 1970's or before? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pella Report post Posted May 6, 2009 Wondering because i just buy an older "economic kind" saddle for restoration and it look it have synthetic fleece not sure, i have a hard time telling from picture and guy say it's heavy cotton?! Will be able to say for sure when i'll get it. Anyway i would really like to know about that question if someone can remember when catalog saddles got fitted with something else than sheepskin? Here the saddle (happy find as it have the wide flare and narrow gullet i was looking for :-) It look sheepskin to me...but not sure? i was thinking 50's saddle but not sure now... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pella Report post Posted May 10, 2009 Come on... no one have an idea when fake wool (fleece) appear on some saddles? 50's 60's 70's ?? No one have an old catalog than can attest? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echo4V Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Not sure about synthetic fleece but I've been told several times that saddles were made with felt linings (instead of fleece) during WWII due to material shortages. It seems that fleece was needed to make military equipment for the war. david Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saddlebag Report post Posted May 11, 2009 No one wants to reveal their age. Lol If memory serves me correctly synthetic fleece is a product of the mid to late 60's when synthetic fabrics began to really make an appearance. Your saddle was done with sheep wool. Research tells me that during WW1 and 2 there was even a shortage of wool felt and hair on deer skin was sometimes used altho it didn't last as long but it did stop the saddle blankets from skooting out backwards. Your saddle was probably a department store saddle or mail order house. Usually there were no identifying marks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saddlebag Report post Posted May 11, 2009 When I reexamined the pics I think this saddle was made to fit a broad-backed pony. The stirrup leathers appear to be 1,1/2" wide which would have been suitable for a child. This may have been made in the late 40's, early 50's. What is the tree made of? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pella Report post Posted May 11, 2009 thanks :-) I dont have the saddle in hand now. According to the seller the tree is wood and weight about 20pound. I know thats cheap but i really wanted the saddle because of the angle of the bar and gullet (so hard to find in used market) Look like a youth saddle, it have 14"seat. interrestinf fact about the deer hides!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
