Australian Hybrid/crossover

[rufusjames]

I've not built a saddle since last May. With work being so slow I got back in the basement and made myself a saddle for Polocrosse. This is my third completed saddle. First one unsupervised. It is similar to last two I posted, but I tweeked the design some.

[oldtimer]

Is it built on a Laporte tree?

BTW a fine well made saddle!

/ Knut

[rufusjames]

Thanks Knut. Yes it is. Sorry I didn't give any info on it. 15.5" Laporte,cable rigged,Hermann Oak. I want small and light for a game I play on horseback called Polocrosse. Small skirts with less insulation and more air flow. "balance ride" style forward located stirrups. I wanted more of an Australian saddle ride to it. The stirrups hang about 3" forward than if hung over the tree. I have a friends Aussie style saddle that was built 30 or so years ago by Brock Lynch with this setup and I really like it for what I am doing on horses.

[oldtimer]

I have built a saddle on a Laporte tree, and in my opinion the bars have too much rock .

[rufusjames]

So what did you do? It did not fit? I hear your opinion and want to know more. I see your sig... If you have the whiskey ill go get my gun!

[oldtimer]

I bought the Laporte tree just to check it out. It had too much rock and was too narrow in the gullet, so I sold the saddle when it was finished. The groundseat had a good shape.

Edited November 15, 2012 by oldtimer

[rufusjames]

Too much rock for your horse? Too narrow for your horse?I am trying to understand your opinion. Was it the tree? Or the horse has a flat/arched/ wide back. You know they are easily custom fitted within reason. If not you can ask for specific dimensions to be produced. Hell they will even adjust it for you if you send a wither tracing and a picture of the horse you are fitting if you are not comfortable doing the sanding yourself. Did you find someone that had a horse with a narrow swayback to sell it to?

[oldtimer]

Yes, I sold it to a friend who has nine horses and he had a Morgan cross that fit the saddle.

[rufusjames]

Oh good. It worked out for you then. Glad you didn't get stuck with a saddle you couldn't use. Your friend that bought it, are they happy with saddle? Better question would be, is the horse happy with the saddle?

Edited November 16, 2012 by rufusjames

[JinxedDream]

(Brand-new here) I really like that saddle. That's my ultimate goal, to make a half-breed saddle. I fell in love with the Australian hybrid saddles when I was desperately searching for a saddle that fit my horse and being on a limited budget. Found an old unstamped saddle in the basement of the local shop. I had to repair 3 other saddles and sell my favourite western saddle to buy it and now I'd never go back. What kind of rigging did you place on this one?