Find Of The Month

[CSMcK]

While visiting relatives near Woodstock recently, I decided to check the local Kijiji for used saddles. What I found was a listing for two "stitching saddles". Yep - sure enough, they were stitching horses. The owner remembered his parents using them to repair tack, but didn't think anyone did that anymore - "Isn't that a lost art?" He had listed them under antique furniture, and figured they were good only as decorative plant stands. Had he not mis-named them I never would have found them. Well, I picked up two plant stands for less than I'd expect to pay for one stitching saddle, er.., horse.

They are both of oak, even the seats. One has maple jaws, one oak. All the joints are through tenons.

I've cleaned up, repaired and refinished one of them - new leather, scrape and paint the rust, sand and refinish the wood. The jaws were chipped, so I refaced them wih maple, then added leather covers. I also put a wear-leather on the foot-pedal, as it had worn significantly. The only real damage to the wood was some rot on the bottom, where they had stood in a damp basement, so I added some adjustable feet.

Loking at the jaws I suppose I might call one a harness horse, and the other, if I reworked the tension strap, a saddle-stitching horse, but I don't really need two. I expect once I refinish the second one I'll decide which I want to keep and put the other up in the for-sale section. Anyone looking for a plant stand, or a "stitching saddle"?

Chris

[benlilly1]

Cool story! What a find...They look like you have them in really good condition.

[mikesmith648]

I would definitely be interested. Just PM me when you decide

Mike

[MadMorbius]

I'm in Mississauga...and would be interested as well. I also have family in Ottawa that could pick it up for me if that works...no shipping