Was Given Saddle; Is It Fixable?

[Brenna Lee]

I was given this saddle, it's a nice saddle that I could rehab and use quite nicely. Other than the fact that the cinch rings are messed up.

Attatched are pictures.

What do yoy think? Fixable? And what would you do to ensure a secure reattachment?

Thanks!

[DoubleC]

I'm not a saddle maker, just user but I think it's fixable. What would I do to secure it? Replace that entire piece of leather, the sew it to the other leather, and to the cinch hardware, and glue it, and use saddle screws, and maybe I'd tie it up in a bow with HD rope. Only because I'm so partial to my cinch staying around my horse. Some of the Saddle Makers will wander along soon I'm sure. Cheryl

[harrington]

Without seeing the whole saddle, I would repair it by building and installing both sides of a new flat plate rigging.

[Ken Nelson]

  On 6/25/2012 at 1:44 AM, harrington said:

Without seeing the whole saddle, I would repair it by building and installing both sides of a new flat plate rigging.

I could be mistaken, but I beleive that is an inskirt rigging. AS such it is probably fixable but likely to cost more if done correctly than the saddle is worth. I really feel this is a job for an experienced saddlemaker. The last inskirt that we repaired in my shop ended being a new riggin, skirts and woolskin. Be sure to check the tree to make sure it is not broken or warped. A lot more to repairing this type or riggin than a lot of inexperienced people realize. Hope this helps. Ken

[dirtclod]

Putting a D ring rigging on it would be the simplest and cheapest way to go. Because the plate that's in there isn't going to be for long. The rivets have rusted and eat the leather up. If you go with a D ring rigging take the plate that is still there off / out. That way you can use the skirts you have. But it needs to installed by somebody that knows what their doing.

Edited June 25, 2012 by dirtclod

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Rigging is one of the components on a saddle that must be done correctly for a lot of reasons, safety being only one. No room for error, it needs to be installed in a manner that will last and be safe. With that said, any competent saddler can repair it. Best to take it to a good saddler and get a quote. You will then be able to decide if it is worth fixing.

Bob