Dye Black Or Buy Black?

[Cyberthrasher]

the only time i ever sold anything that was black that includes saddles, saddle bags, headstalls and reins was to a person that had just bought their first horse.

Little off topic, but any reason why that's the case? Is there something about black that doesn't work for saddles or other gear (other than heat if they're out for a while)?

[dirtclod]

I'm not sure why it's only newbies that buy black saddles and tack. Maybe they have watched to many reruns of the Lone Ranger. It may be different in other parts of the country but that's the way it is around here.

[Cyberthrasher]

I'm not sure why it's only newbies that buy black saddles and tack. Maybe they have watched to many reruns of the Lone Ranger. It may be different in other parts of the country but that's the way it is around here.

Interesting....I'm not really into western stuff at all, but somehow I always end up living in rodeo towns and I hauled semi loads of hay for a while (up close and personal with a lot of tack and saddles in barns). Thinking about it, I don't think I've seen many black setups outside of pictures. Guess it never occurred to me that that's not a common color choice.

Edited March 5, 2013 by Cyberthrasher

[Matt S]

Most English harness (esp show harness) and quite a bit of saddlery is black. Makes it easier to match different pieces, and looks very smart contrasting with polished brass, stainless or chrome.

[Jaymack]

I get some leather from a Menonite saddle and harness shop in Dayton Virginia. He uses alot of drum dyed black leather. He buys it from Wickett and Craig and another place in Ohio. I'm guessing Weavers.

[barbiesdude]

Interesting....I'm not really into western stuff at all, but somehow I always end up living in rodeo towns and I hauled semi loads of hay for a while (up close and personal with a lot of tack and saddles in barns). Thinking about it, I don't think I've seen many black setups outside of pictures. Guess it never occurred to me that that's not a common color choice.

Yeah, I agree with Dirtclod, it's usually firs time horse owners with the black saddles and they are usually the cheapest, gawdy junk you have ever seen. Not just because of the color but materials and they don't fit a horse. However, there are markets like the Arab horse world that show their horses in pretty high quality black saddles. I guess its like anything else, when you first get into something you have pre-conceptions then after you have been in it for awhile you think "how did I ever like that or think that was cool."

[Cyberthrasher]

I guess its like anything else, when you first get into something you have pre-conceptions then after you have been in it for awhile you think "how did I ever like that or think that was cool."

Like all the people who ride my style of horse and think it's cool to cover it in chrome and toys like they see on all the tv shows . I admit that I was there in the beginning too....

[colttrainer]

with what you listed for a black order, I would order a side of black. The price of the breast colar is more than enough to pay for a side, the rest of the order is profit. what ever you have left over from the side can be used to further the bank account.

Al

[The Grizzly]

I had an issue with some predyed horse butt strips I bought. The black seemed to always produce a white filmy coating on the leather. Took many applications of oil/wax to get it to stop.

[billymac814]

Where did you get them at? This isn't typical of drum dyed black leather at all. My guess is it was one of those cheap ones from Springfield. Don't let those turn you off from it.

I had an issue with some predyed horse butt strips I bought. The black seemed to always produce a white filmy coating on the leather. Took many applications of oil/wax to get it to stop.