Taking The "slick" Out Of A Slick Seat Western Saddle

[gtwister09]

Brent,

Besides the sanding job with the beads... I have also seen them used those same beaded lines and then apply some stamping like pear shading in a random fashion to create a random crumbled background with the pear shader.

Regards,

Ben

P.S. Sorry about the lime tree but the weather was a little harsher this winter (not like northern areas...but not good)

[MarkB]

Brent

Sell them a new set of leggins. jeans and slick seats don't mix well. Just a thought.

Mark

[bruce johnson]

Brent,

Likewise my condolences on the loss of your lime tree. I understand the obligatory use in gin and tonics and squeezed over carne asada and carnitas. I also have found that two or three wedges squeezed and dropped into a Sprite will make a limeade similar to Sonic, except I can actually make a good burger to go with it.

The guy I talked to that buffed the seat said he used a Black and Decker sander with the triangular head thing. Said it was just the ticket for the points and edges.

[MADMAX22]

I use to ride when I was younger from about age 5 to 20, that was about 13 yrs ago but I did alot of trail riding, some showing when I was younger but mostly trail. Also when I say trail I mean up some really rough stuff that you were hanging on for dear life. All of this was done on slick seat western style saddles or bare back (usually with a pad).

I suffered the slick back saddle problem once and that was my first time on a well trained cutting horse, she was a very strong beast and I didnt understand leg pressure guiding a cutting horse and was use to trail riding, needless to say I squeezed one leg to much the horse went that direction and I stayed put. After picking myself up off the ground and my parents laughing there butts off I realized really quickly how to guide that horse lol. Never had a issue after that though.

Guess what I am saying is I think the people that ride with that type saddle need to learn how to ride with it. If you are decent riding with them then you dont have a problem. If you cant then you need to request a different type of leather on the seat. Personally I couldnt imagine riding with any other type but thats just me. I tried the suede covered seats and didnt like them, I couldnt slide around when I wanted to very easily which wasnt a good thing when you were ducking trees and trying to hang on during various other issues.

Oh and wanted to add, you make some amazing saddles. Would of loved to of had one of those when I was younger. Sorry if I didnt really answer your question but figured I would throw my little nugget of experience out there.

Edited April 23, 2010 by MADMAX22

[Go2Tex]

.........Oh and wanted to add, you make some amazing saddles. Would of loved to of had one of those when I was younger. Sorry if I didnt really answer your question but figured I would throw my little nugget of experience out there.

Thanks for the nugget and the compliments. I agree with your assessment of the "problem" which, usually isn't a problem. But, it's always nice to have a solution or two up your sleeve besides, "You'll get used to it", or "Well Sir, nobody else is complainin'". Or one reply that would really go over big, "Well Sir, if you were just a better rider...."

I'm afraid I'm just not tactful enough to make that one work.

[Go2Tex]

Brent,

Likewise my condolences on the loss of your lime tree. I understand the obligatory use in gin and tonics and squeezed over carne asada and carnitas. I also have found that two or three wedges squeezed and dropped into a Sprite will make a limeade similar to Sonic, except I can actually make a good burger to go with it.

The guy I talked to that buffed the seat said he used a Black and Decker sander with the triangular head thing. Said it was just the ticket for the points and edges.

Oh yeah, Sonic drive-ins! I avoid the place like the plague. Just the blaring music alone is enough to lock up my brakes and throw the truck into reverse and lay rubber out of the lot. I couldn't tell ya what the food is like. Can't get past the damn music.

Sorry, I digress....

[mike59]

The problem: The western saddle "slick" seat usually becomes very slick with use and some riders complain and seek a more secure seat. Besides sanding or finger carving, has anyone tried anything else with any degree of success? Is there a product, that can be applied to the seat after construction to reduce the slipperiness that does not alter the appearance too much?

Brent, My appologies for the my attempt at a little humor yesterday, no disrepect intended. If I can be taken seriously for a moment, concerning your question; I would like to suggest the use of, " Tincture of Benzoin". It comes in a spray bottle, or can be applied with a dauber; I recommend the spray. It is a resin compound mixed with alcohol used primarily for protecting the skin from allergic reaction, or irritation, where bandaging is used. Athletes use it to protect the skin from irritation caused by the glue in surgical bandages. I use it on horses where there necessitates such bandaging on shaved areas where sutures have been applied. It has an anticeptic quality as well, and makes the banages hold better. It is not sticky, but has a tacky quality to it, and it washes off quite easily; saddle soap would be the way I'd go for that. I think it would provide just enough friction in the seat without harming the clothing of the rider, or the leather, as it is intended for use on skin. I wish I could say I've used in such a way, but I have not. By the way, your work is Extrordinary! Edited April 23, 2010 by mike59

[Go2Tex]

Brent, My appologies for the my attempt at a little humor yesterday, no disrepect intended. If I can be taken seriously for a moment, concerning your question; I would like to suggest the use of, " Tincture of Benzoin". It comes in a spray bottle, or can be applied with a dauber; I recommend the spray. It is a resin compound mixed with alcohol used primarily for protecting the skin from allergic reaction, or irritation, where bandaging is used. Athletes use it to protect the skin from irritation caused by the glue in surgical bandages. I use it on horses where there necessitates such bandaging on shaved areas where sutures have been applied. It has an anticeptic quality as well, and makes the banages hold better. It is not sticky, but has a tacky quality to it, and it washes off quite easily; saddle soap would be the way I'd go for that. I think it would provide just enough friction in the seat without harming the clothing of the rider, or the leather, as it is intended for use on skin. I wish I could say I've used in such a way, but I have not. By the way, your work is Extrordinary!

No disrespect taken. The way I dish it out sometimes, I guess I'm entitled to a little of the same. But, thanks for the advice on that tincture of benzoin. I'll look for it and give it a try. It must be a bit like Tuff Skin maybe?

[Mechanical Cowgirl]

The problem:

The western saddle "slick" seat usually becomes very slick with use and some riders complain and seek a more secure seat.

Besides sanding or finger carving, has anyone tried anything else with any degree of success?

Is there a product, that can be applied to the seat after construction to reduce the slipperiness that does not alter the appearance too much?

My friend took lessons (english) from a lady who used Leder Balsam on her english saddles to get some tackiness to them. I've looked online and there are a couple different brands that use that name, not sure what she was using. My dad packs mules all summer and rides a slick seat saddle, I saw he had a jar of the stuff he was using, said it's good for grip and weather. This wouldn't be a permanent 'fix' but it might be worth a try.

[hidepounder]

The problem:

The western saddle "slick" seat usually becomes very slick with use and some riders complain and seek a more secure seat.

Besides sanding or finger carving, has anyone tried anything else with any degree of success?

Is there a product, that can be applied to the seat after construction to reduce the slipperiness that does not alter the appearance too much?

Riding lessons! Sorry Brent, I couldn't help myself!!!