Restricted forward movement of stirrups

[tonyc1]

Is the billet lined?

Tony.

[JAM]

Julia,

I think Hennessy was suggesting that you use nylon webbing latigos instead of leather. They can be much thinner and eliminate much of the bulk over the rigging ring.

Another suggestion: The rigging hardware you used is a very heavy and deep "flat spot" in your skirt. Bending an arc in that rigging ring from top to bottom will help it to follow the natural curve of the side of the horse. It will help the bottom to not protrude so far out at the tip pushing the latigos out into the path of your stirrup leathers. It will be hard to bend attached to the saddle and may need to be removed for shaping, but much easier and less costly than a total skirt replacement. I use 550 rigging rings which in principle are similar to the hardware you used. I shape an arc in all of them prior to assembly.

Oh - okay. Now I understand.

A nylon webbing latigo would be thinner, but I can't bring myself to use them. Too non-traditional. But a good idea, nonetheless.

Keith, I know you use 550 rings and I've always loved the look of your rigging - that's how I want to do mine (but this ring looked so cool in the Bork catalog <ggg>). This ring was a lot "flatter" than I expected once it was in the skirt. I want them round and open, like yours, so I'll go with the real 550 next time. Shaping the ring with an arc is not something I would have thought of (one of those arcane bits of saddlemaking technique) - but is a fantastic idea. Do you use an anvil or a vise?

Tony - the off-side cinch billet is not lined, but is the doubled-over style (so there are always two layers of latigo on the off-side to match the two layers of latigo going through the near-side rig ring).

[jwwright]

Julia, just another couple of suggestions regarding the latigos that might be helpful to you . Depending upon the usage of the saddle, I sometimes use high quality, but thinner latigo leather to make the tie straps. Same idea as using nylon, less bulk. I have found that the Santa Ynez latigo from Seigel's in 8 oz works well for this. Concerning the off side.........nothing wrong with a half breed style such as you have on this saddle.....but, since bulk is an issue for you with this saddle, you might try a lined billet style, or as I prefer, a full lenth tie strap same as the on side, again made from a little lighter quality latigo. JW

[JAM]

Julia, just another couple of suggestions regarding the latigos that might be helpful to you . Depending upon the usage of the saddle, I sometimes use high quality, but thinner latigo leather to make the tie straps. Same idea as using nylon, less bulk. I have found that the Santa Ynez latigo from Seigel's in 8 oz works well for this. Concerning the off side.........nothing wrong with a half breed style such as you have on this saddle.....but, since bulk is an issue for you with this saddle, you might try a lined billet style, or as I prefer, a full lenth tie strap same as the on side, again made from a little lighter quality latigo. JW

Another excellent suggestion - I'll try these things.