Centre Fire Rigging

[quartercircleoveruleather]

Hello there

I am in the process of making a saddle for my self and am considering putting a center fire rigging on the saddle. I like the traditional look that it gives. However, I have never used one and need to know if it will change the way I use my saddle on a daily bases (roping, sorting, riding, ex.). I also need to know if I should then put a center fire rigging in with a o-ring or if I can use a flat-plate.

Thanks

Chance

[rdl123]

Chance:

Check out this link: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6655&hl=%2Bcenter+%2Bfire#entry74965

You'll notice Steve Brewer talks about one of the BLM guys roping horses with a 5/8ths rig...

What are you planning on for a tree? I'd highly recommend Glenn Christman out of Pincher Creek.

Ron L

[quartercircleoveruleather]

hi there.

thanks for the link. i have looked into it and would like to currect my wording. when i said centerfire all i ment was single rig. wether it be 3/4 5/8 or centerfire. i am currently riding in a old kenway 3/4 double rig that belonged to my great grandfather. i have already gotten a tree. rod nikkel made it for me. it is a wade tree.

thanks

Chance

[rdl123]

Hello Chance:

Not sure if you consistently ride the same bunch of horses, but If so it might be valuable to throw a pad on a few of them, drop your bare tree on them and see where the cinch would want to sit naturally. I know when I did that I ended up going with a 7/8 flat plate rig - It might even be more like between 7/8 and 3/4...

Good job on the Rod Nikkel tree! I tried to order one recently and they are not taking orders from new customers right now...However Denise was good enough to put me on a waiting list!

Ron L

[quartercircleoveruleather]

Ron

i ride the same bunch of horses on a pretty regular bases. i will have to try that. and i just barely got in for a rod nikkel tree. i had to play some cards and wait 6 months or so before i got it. but it was worth the wait for sure.

Chance

[oltoot]

As I and others have said on this forum before, unless you use cardboard and chewing gum for materials, this saddle will probably outlive several batches of horses and maybe even you. So make your decision with a longer term in view. I really like the look of a SR with long taps. I have seen some guys accomplish a lot with a SR, mulehide, a long rope and plenty of space and time to get the right shot. Being a retired BLM Wild Horse Specialist and having been involved with roping lots of horses. Our SOP was to never let anything get away that got within sight of the trap so as not to teach rebels to turn tail and run. I have never seen any SR in use outside. The rare heading and healing to treat could employ one but outside? All that said, if I wanted to start out riding a specific bunch of horses with a SR, I would put a back rig on and leave the billets and cinch hanging in the barn until wanted or needed. BTW i am of the school that says if your back cinch isn't snug take it off. Just my HO

[quartercircleoveruleather]

thats a good idea. maybe a 3/4 rig with a removed back cinch? i have used my great grandfathers saddle for several years and its a 3/4 rig. i am actually going to take the back cinch off and try without it as it simply hangs their 99% of the time any ways. i have also heard that SR slide alot is this why many SR users that i have seen have a small breast collar that goes from the cinch up and around the neck then back down?

Thanks for the help

Chance

[brycew74]

Guys around here call it a choker, I use this on my 3/4 double rig and like it a lot have done everything from brand calves to doctoring big cows with it, doesn't give em much to pull in to but keeps your cinch from drifting, hope this helps Bryce

[quartercircleoveruleather]

ok thanks that helps a lot. it looks not that hard to make one of those chokers. will have to try to make one. thanks again.

Chance

[oltoot]

Martingales are what the Old Timers used with SR. In most of the pictures you see the girth connector is hanging down loose so they became pretty much decorative that way. Now days you see a lot of Martingale inspired collars that in addition to the strap going over the neck have small side straps that connect to the saddle up high by way of rings like a breast collar (which it has become). Adjusted snug all over you have real solid three point stabilization for a rig. It is worthy of note that it doesn't take 1 1/4 double stitched straps to hold a good load if everything is adjusted right. Look at the breast plate set ups on 3 day eventing rigs or Aussie outfits. Take the image of the flank cinch hanging down to snag and apply it here.