Vintage Western Saddle Identification

[silverdollarmagic]

I just purchased this saddle and was told it is possibly a Dorie Reese but it has no maker's mark or stamp. I wiIl get the saddle on the 22nd and can post more pics then.

I thought I was aware of most vintage saddle makers but this one has me stumped. The only thing I can find is a vintage Dorie Reese reiner for sale with similarities such as jockey shape and seat shape, material and color. Does anyone on here know anything about Dorie Reese saddles? I have never heard of this maker and the seller had no luck finding anything either. She is just going by what she was told. This one was made in the 60s. As you can tell, the stirrups are not original and the fleece has recently been replaced. Thanks!

I wanted to add that I was told this particular saddle was made by an employee of Dorie Reese on the side and was never really marketed, as the maker didn't want to lose his job. It was made after the Dorie Reese design but has a private label.

Edited February 17, 2011 by silverdollarmagic

[silverdollarmagic]

Found out it is most likely not a Dorie Reese. It has no maker's mark and no numbers. It appears to be a quality saddle. Does it look familiar to anyone?

[Denise]

I can't help you with who a maker is. I'm just curious about the side ways D ring on the back. Any idea why that is there?

[silverdollarmagic]

I can't help you with who a maker is. I'm just curious about the side ways D ring on the back. Any idea why that is there?

I have no idea. It reminds me of an older training saddle. Does it look like a good quality saddle to you? It was thought to be an old reining saddle but I have no clue. I would imagine the D-Ring is moveable so that it can be used for pulling. It was advertised as an "old work saddle."

Edited February 18, 2011 by silverdollarmagic

[Denise]

I am not one to be able to tell you the quality of a saddle. But honestly, I can tell you that I would not ride that saddle. The seat in it will slide you and keep you right at the base of the cantle, way back on your horse with your feet way forward. I know this was a very common way to build a seat a few years ago in some segments of the industry, but as I have heard some pretty good saddle makers quote "There is a reason they quit doing that." That was an extreme when it came to building seats even then. Putting all your weight on the back end of the saddle like will not help your horse (and may easily harm him) and trapping you in the saddle in that position doesn't help you any either.

If you read through some of the material in the Saddle Construction area, particulary from 2007 - 2009 or so there were some good threads on how the makers like to shape their seats. Or search for groundseat or "ground seat" in the Saddles and Tack section. Also, here are a few threads with some good saddles built with good seats in them. Try to ignore the rest of the saddle for the moment (it's tough!) and just look at the pictures directly from the side to see the shape of the seat, how it will position you and where you will be sitting on a horse. These are all different makers, most making for working cowboys, but you will notice a real similarity in how they build their seats - and it is done for a reason! If you are looking for a riding saddle rather than just a museum piece, it is really important to know what makes a good seat and why. Getting that is really important, regardless of what the rest of the saddle looks like.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=29875

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=29774

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4987

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1767

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=8449

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=29369

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=28824

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9354

OK, I'll quit now. There's LOTS more good ones on here. I hope this is helpful to you in learning more about what makes a good quality saddle. It was meant to be.

[silverdollarmagic]

Thank you Denise. I e-mailed the seller letting her know the saddle will be shipped back to her & that I would like a refund. She really sold that saddle hard and now I know why. I thought I had a good grasp on what a quality saddle is, but apparently not. I paid with paypal so hopefully I can recover most of my money. I feel like such an idiot for not looking closer at those pictures and realizing something is very off with the saddle.

The saddles you posted are absolutely gorgeous. Stunning work! That's what a quality saddle looks like for sure.

Edited February 18, 2011 by silverdollarmagic

[Saddlebag]

Denise, I too was wondering about those Drings. The idea is for dragging stuff behind the horse to desensitise but I'm thinking the D s should be facing the other way.

[silverdollarmagic]

I got the saddle and immediately got a refund. The tree was rotten and splintered. As for the D-Rings, they do move. It is in fact an old training saddle. I took the fenders off because they are in great shape but have the rest in a box in my house. Not sure if I will trash it or use it as a decoration.