1850's To 1890 Saddles. Anyone Like Them Other Than Me?

[spur2009]

Outstanding job. I also like the old saddles and restore many for collectors and musems. However, be very careful using one of these oldies. The gullets are

usually to narrow for modern horses. Alao the bar length behind the cntle is 1 to 1 1/2" which really tear up a horses back and his kidneys. If you like the

old style and intend to use it I strongly suggest that you order a new tree with specs to fit todays horses. Good luck and keep on working.

[thenrie]

Here is another one I built for my own use 5-6 years ago after selling my Collins reproduction. I had some pieces of black harness leather and a saddle tree lying around in the shop, so I made me a new saddle for a mountain trailride . The rigging is a " very modyfied Sam Stagg rigging" with integral front jockeys.

White rawhide trim on the horn and cantle, sewn with an invisible seam, front and back.

/ Knut

Oldtimer, I really like your "mountain trailride" saddle. Most of my riding is packing in the mountains. That saddle looks comfortable, sturdy, and lightweight. I think I'll look at making myself something along those lines. What kind of tree did you use on that, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks, and beautiful work.

Edited August 15, 2011 by thenrie

[oldtimer]

Oldtimer, I really like your "mountain trailride" saddle. Most of my riding is packing in the mountains. That saddle looks comfortable, sturdy, and lightweight. I think I'll look at making myself something along those lines. What kind of tree did you use on that, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks, and beautiful work.

The tree is a HYA tree from Bowden.

I returned home yesterday from a week on the trail in the Swedish woods, so I have field tested my latest trail saddle built on a Pony Express tree from Timberline saddletrees. I aimed on to keep it as light as possible, no cosmetic leather to carry around ! and it ended at 10 kilos exactly ( ~22 lbs). I managed to find unbound Dog House stirrrups, large enough to make room for my hunting boots - and light weight !

The weather gods smiled at us and the saddle rode well so the week was a success, ( One morning there was a thin layer of ice on a pool of water and the condenced water on my diamond shelter was frosen so it is time for long johns soon! )

/ Knut

Edited August 15, 2011 by oldtimer

[oldtimer]

The tree is a HYA tree from Bowden.

I returned home yesterday from a week on the trail in the Swedish woods, so I have field tested my latest trail saddle built on a Pony Express tree from Timberline saddletrees. I aimed on to keep it as light as possible, no cosmetic leather to carry around ! and it ended at 10 kilos exactly ( ~22 lbs). I managed to find unbound Dog House stirrrups, large enough to make room for my hunting boots - and light weight !

The weather gods smiled at us and the saddle rode well so the week was a success, ( One morning there was a thin layer of ice on a pool of water and the condenced water on my diamond shelter was frosen so it is time for long johns soon! )

/ Knut

I named this saddle UGLY BETTY

[thenrie]

I named this saddle UGLY BETTY

I like that one as well.

[Kieran]

Sharpen your round knife and cut off all leather that doesn´t look like an old time saddle !

/ Knut

Thats how you carve leathe too. If you want to carve an eagle. Cut away all the leather that is not the eagle Bingo

[Aurelie]

I am drooling like a rabbid dog while looking at all those nice saddles

i really like this style

i need to gather as much info as i can regarding the way to build one....and i have to build one!!

[meatcutter]

does anyone have any info on a coburn saddle . i have had it over 50  years. any  info would be reatly appreciated thanks mike