Re doing my first saddle

[j20]

I'm not sure I got a little worried when I got it stripped down and saw that tree. Now I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I will probably still at least re line it the maybe just clean it up and sell it. Don't won't to put all the new leather on that I originally planned though.  Would a fiberglass covered tree look like that?

[j20]

Well upon further inspection this morning it has to be hollow fiberglass.  I'm re fleecing re doing the rigging and sending it down the road. That's ok though I gained a good bit of knowledge and am better prepared moving forward. My harry Adams book should be here soon and I have some leather and tools on the way that can now be better utilized for future repairs.

[Ken Nelson]

I would double think about putting a dime into that saddle and selling it..   A number of years ago my insurance agent told me to never send anything out the door, I was NOT POSITIVE,  about being safe to ride  His rule was,   " Last guy that had his hands on a piece of riding equipment that fails is the first guy sued"!  That old saddle would make a neat bar stool though.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

A hollow fiberglass tree is about the most dangerous item of equine equipment in use today.  They should not be allowed to be sold in this country.  They come in my shop almost brand new with the riggings pulled out.  The screws strip out when they run them in during construction, and you can about pull the nails out with your hands.  Furthermore they don't fit our horses worth a damn.  Whenever a client brings one in, they get my unabridged opinion on them and the whole "I wouldn't put a dime into it" sermon.  Ken is right, you could be held liable if the next person to own that saddle gets hurt. Furthermore, if you want to start working on saddles for other folks, do you really want the reputation for peddling junk like that?  My advice, and take it for what it costs you, is to chalk this one up to experience.  Keep it around as a reminder and to educate folks who bring that garbage in in the future.  And, I bet next time you trade for or buy a saddle, you check the tree:-) 

The manufacturers are getting smarter and more deceptive on these hollow fiberglass trees.  About a year ago a lady brought one in. I could tell the second it came through the door exactly what it was.  I started to give her "the sermon", and lifted up the seat jockey to show her, and thought for a minute I was going to have to eat my words.  The tree appeared to be rawhide covered, complete with rawhide lacing.  Upon a little closer inspection, it was simply a strip of laced rawhide tacked onto the edge of the tree bar in an attempt to fool the casual observer.  It was so poorly installed it wouldn't even have served as reinforcement, as is common on some of the older cheap "tipped" wooden trees.  These saddles are costing between 400-600 new, and the buyers are getting screwed, because at best they are pure garbage, and at worst, downright dangerous.  I rest my case.

[j20]

Well this has turned into quite the learning experience.  I greatly appreciate all the insight you guys have provided. I know some people that buy stuff for western decoration for restaurants and bars think this might be right up their alley.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

If they need more than you can provide, send them my way!  I have piles of stuff that people have left when I told them it wouldn't pay to fix it.

[oldtimer]

The saddle is made in Uttar Pradesh, India.

It is junk and should never be on a horse. I bought 4 of those cheap saddles ( used) just to see what was inside. My advise is to throw it in a garbage container.

Some photos:

 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Old-Timers-sadelsida-213225115376738/photos/?tab=album&album_id=722074604491784