Stirrup leathers an fenders

[Timbo]

On this saddle does it appear that the stirrup leathers and fenders are riveted all together?? I mean all 3 layers-stirrup leather then fender then back stirrup leather.

It kind of looks that way to me. Would there be anything wrong with doing it this way??

Thanks,

Tim

[TroyWest]

I would say no, they are not. The problem with doing it that way would mean you could not adjust your stirrup leather for different lengths. Another problem with this particular saddle is the Blevins buckles are right on top of the rigging rings.

[Echo4V]

It actually looks to me like they are rivetted together. Troy is right that it would severly limit stirrup adjustment but it would also keep the fender close to the seat which doesn't seem to me to have any practical purpus other than aesthetics. It also seems to me that having the fender where it is would cause your thigh to get pinched everytime you move your leg. I also don't like the fact that the rigging ring is under the blevins buckle as that will create quite a lump under your leg. If I were modifying this saddle to my own taste I would move the rigging forward enough to get it out from under the stirrup leather and I would take those rivets out, but maybe you could put a loop there (like a belt keeper loop) around both layers of stirrup leather. That would give you that flat look but you would still be able to adjust the stirrup where you wanted it.

Also, I don't know what kind of riding you do but you might want a cantle pocket when you build your saddle. They are very handy for rides when you don't need saddle bags but don't want to sit on your wallet the whole time.

Just a couple of suggestions.

David

[D.A. Kabatoff]

It's very doubtful all three layers are riveted because this would have to be done while the fenders/leathers were hung on the tree... otherwise you wouldn't be able to loop them over the bars of the tree. If it was done this way you wouldn't be able to adjust them as Troy mentioned and you also wouldn't be able to remove them from the tree without popping the rivets.

Darc

[BrianHochstrat]

It is not riveted clear through, even though it appears that way in the picture. Had he went all the way through there would be no need for the blevins buckles or even the tail on the stirrup leather, being it would have no length adjustment at all, and could you imagine the irritation of trying the pean the rivets with the stirrup leathers on the saddle. And yes the rigging is at least 3 inches lower than it really should be, IMHO. Brian

[oldtimer]

The stirrup leathers are not riveted together. If you take a close look they are made the "usual" way, with the stirrup leathers riveted on to the fenders, old time style. So there is nothing unusual in this construction.

[ArtS]

I think it's just the stirrups straps riveted to the fenders and not to the back straps. Otherwise the straps wouldn't be adjustable.

Art

[Timbo]

Thanks for all the replies. Never thought about it but Darc is right, it would be hard as hell to rivet all of that together on the tree.

As for the rigging I had already spotted that conflict as well. I don't know why the rigging is so low or so far back. It is bordering on being a center fire rig. I had some experience with a clients center fire rig this summer and on our barrell bellied horses it moved all over the place. Every time I turned around the saddle was sitting up over the horses shoulders and after one long downhill section he was actually riding the horses neck. But it was his great uncles saddle...blah blah blah. If it had been my decision it would have stayed at the ranch and never seen a trail.

But anyway, yeah, the rigging needs moved up and forward.

As for the stirrup leathers and fender. I'll rivet them as such but probably also sew the leathers to the fender as well.

I also agree that the fender top could be a pinch point on a very tender spot of anatomy so I'll have to put some thought into a redesign on that as well. I guess just moving them lower would also do the trick, which would also mean to make them shorter too I suppose.

I've thought long and hard about the saddle pocket idea but I have a tooling idea for the back of the cantle that I want to do really bad.

I am going to be making a removable cantle bag/saddle bag setup to put on the saddle I'm going to make. After getting my "petroleum" cantle bag and saddle bags ripped off and ruined this summer I have some ideas of what I am NOT going to do anyway.

Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas guys........they are greatly appreciated. Without all the knowledge from the saddlers on this forum I would not even attempt making a saddle, but I'm about to jump in with both feet, so expect LOTS more questions.

Keep those ideas rolling.

Also what do you think about the "D" cutout in the skirts for hooking the breast collar to??? Good or Bad??? I can see up sides and down sides to it. Up is the weight savings.........down is the damage it could do to the skirt in a wreck. Then again once the rigging ring is properly located why not just hook to it??

Sorry if this seems rambling but I'm thinkin out loud........with my fingers.

Any more thoughts or concerns on this saddle let me know.

Thanks again for all the input.

Tim

.......and I like the idea of the keeper loop on the stirrup leathers too. I might see what I can come up with in that respect.

and by the way Dave the riding I do is as a trail guide/wrangler in the summers in the Sangre de Christo mountains of Central Colorado. (ok, now I'm bragging) Which is the purpose of the saddle I am going to build. Going to try to keep it light weight and comfy. But mostly leaning to light weight since I got by with a very uncomfortable saddle all summer. It will not be possible for me to build something as uncomfortable as that one.

Edited October 23, 2008 by Timbo

[greg gomersall]

If you are gonna build a half seat saddle with no seat jockey as pictured you are gonna want the tops of the fenders to come right up to the seat edge. On the fenders no loops or anything will be required. That is a basic set of half double stirrup leathers in all other aspects. Greg

[Timbo]

If you are gonna build a half seat saddle with no seat jockey as pictured you are gonna want the tops of the fenders to come right up to the seat edge. On the fenders no loops or anything will be required. That is a basic set of half double stirrup leathers in all other aspects. Greg

So as far as the picture goes, you are saying these fenders would need to match the shape of the bottom bar right up to the cantle point?? So that there are no gaps between seat and fender?? I can see how that would work. Also when you adjust them the top of the stirrup leather and fender will need to stay in the same place with all the adjustment taking place on the stirrup end. Right??

Half double stirrup leathers is a new one on me....I thought these would just be considered half leathers. But I'm learning.

Thanks for the advice Greg, it is very much appreciated as is all the advice I get from this forum on a regular basis.

Tim