Here's The Deuce

[rktaylor]

Thanks Billy. I am locked on the metal strainer for now. If I ever get to a 4th saddle, I am leaning toward all leather.

Randy

[Tosch]

From a saddle buyer (and user) perspective (for what it is worth):

Over the years I have ended up with 3 different saddles on different tree configurations from 2 different makers.

All saddles needed the ground seat modified for me to be comfortable A different saddle maker than the one building the saddle had to put in another layer of leather up into the cantle and forward up to the points of cantle or to the stirrup grove and crown the seat more. Things I could not have done. But with all three saddles I then had to modify the sweet spot in the ground seat (multiple times) by removing some leather here and adding some material there . Now my sweet spot on all saddles is more or less in the middle of the seat (front to back) something the late Verlane Desgrange advised me on some years before she past away. And I modified the seats that they all now have a nice leg channel. And for once I do not feel of being behind my horse's movements.

One of the saddles came with an all leather ground seat, the two others with a metall strainer. When I watched the saddle makers modify the seat and when I did it myself, I could not see any difference in modifying a leather or metall strainer ground seat.

I do like to look at nicely stamped and carved saddles like everyone else does....but the for me seat design is of outmost importance !!!

OH sorry! I forgot to compliment you on your nice saddle (!) , was so concentrating on the seat discussion.

Edited January 14, 2015 by Tosch

[Billy H]

Hey Randy,

I'm sorry that my posts probably didn't make much sense to you. Sometimes I get into a hurry writing.

I must confess that I am a saddleaholic:) . Seems like I'm always thinking about them and how to make the next one better.

A few years ago Western Horseman interviewed some of the Saddle Makers from the TCAA . The article was on what they felt was a good saddle fit ( ground seat ). WOW what a great article in that each maker had a different take on fit. Some of the most respected makers in the business each with a little different idea of what they liked. I find myself thinking of that often. So far I have built ( to the best of my ability) Tin Ground seat saddle like Jeremiah Watt in his DVD, Tin Ground seat like Dale Harwood in his DVD series, Steve Brewers All Leather Ground Seat tutorial, Dusty Johnsons 2 piece Tin Seat and sat through Al Gould two day class at Prescott. Would love to watch Keith Seidel put his Ground Seat in. All are different but the same in that their goal is to be balanced and comfortable.

I guess that's why I was bringing up how a saddle feels really good on the Draw Down Stand but when I put the saddle on different horses my center of balance felt different, some horses really good and some other horses good but not what I think as perfect.

Not really any help for you, just observation. Cary Schwarz saddles look like they have a good Ground seat also, I have his Buck Rolls on my last saddle; they are really well done. Super nice guy to talk too. I think I may get his Ground Seat DVD.

Long winded thoughts from a fellow novice saddle maker. Billy

[rktaylor]

Billy,

This thread kind of took on it's own life, but the discussion has been great for me. Thanks for all the thoughts.

Randy

[rktaylor]

My wife got a pretty good ride in last weekend (4-5 miles). No complaints on the seat, so I did something right. I get less impressed with my finish everyday, but that's another story. Thanks for all the tips and discussion. I'll never look at a saddle seat the same again.

#3 should be done soon. I'll post pics then.

Randy

[oltoot]

If the seat you're sitting in is better than anything you've sat in up to that point, it's great, and women will be satisfied with a little different seat than men will, and tin with leather is the best. Now, having said all that, here's another thing, and to me the most important, to take into serious consideration. Look at the horse with no saddle (not a mutton withered fatso) then add a bareback rider. There is a place where the two will match up perfectly. The saddle (tree bars, seat, rigging, stirrup leathers) should maintain that relationship. Remember that the horse is just as important as the rider. There is, however, one big difference; the horse is less likely to praise you or complain if things are not quite right. They put up with a lot in this relationship and have always. They have put up with equipment that was poorly conceived and accepted training methods that were little short of brutal, even cruel. How blessed has mankind been to have such a tolerant partner to carry us through the centuries and do all sorts of work for us, but I digress, back to seats. "Perfect" will vary a little with seat length, rider size, etc. but good will do.