Horsemint Report post Posted August 2, 2018 In April/May I attended the Montana Horseman Saddle Building School that Dale Moore runs in Belgrade. I completed my first saddle there (and had a great time). I've been busy since getting my own little saddle shop together and putting miles on it since then, but now that I'm about to start #2 I thought I'd share. It's a 16" seat with flat plate rigging and what Dale has terms a "balanced ride" stirrup strap setup. Maybe there's another name. Basically instead of forming a loop around the bars, the stirrup strap is severed at the bars and the buckle connects to a separate strap that hinges a couple inches forward on the tree. The idea is that it allows more free forward swing. I set my "regular" stirrup strap to a more equitation-friendly position than normal. Riding in it, it's been easy both to keep my feet under me without being restrictive, so it worked out the way I wanted it. The tree is from Timberline ("Montana Horseman" bars... which are a slightly more Hape Hape bar), the leather is "russet" W/C (it's been oiled and sun-tanned a bit). The designs are mine. The layout suffered a from time crunch, but I like it fine. They're deer, by the way... something about at least the bucks really says "unicorn" to some people, which is alright I guess although it wasn't my intention. There are many things I would do different on it, but as a first saddle I think it came out well. It is honestly the most comfortable saddle I've ridden in (me not having had a custom saddle before), and my less-than-tolerant mount hasn't offered any objections either, even after about 50 miles in it. The difference was really kind of shocking-- getting much better movement out of a horse you've known for years just by throwing a better saddle on is enough to give you a pang of conscience. I rode in my old production saddle once since and was more surprised than I thought I would be, to find it... wanting. Haha. While I was in Belgrade I also had the pleasure of becoming friends with Rick Reed and his wife Halli of Double R saddle trees, by pure coincidence. Their trees are simply works of art... Rick is much too modest to ever say that about his own work, but after working on one of Randy's semi-custom trees (which are good-- and Randy himself is as nice as can be too) it's clear that handmades are on a different level. I was favored with their kindness and mentorship over a couple weeks and have nothing but good things to say about them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter255 Report post Posted August 2, 2018 Beautiful work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy H Report post Posted August 27, 2018 Good Job Horsemint! for a 1st saddle it looks very well done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horsemint Report post Posted August 28, 2018 23 hours ago, Billy H said: Good Job Horsemint! for a 1st saddle it looks very well done. On 8/2/2018 at 11:50 AM, hunter255 said: Beautiful work Thanks, I appreciate it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desullivan Report post Posted September 8, 2021 The riders review says it all and is the most important opinion!!! Nice saddle!!! The deer by the way look just like old traditional German carvings of deer/game. Nice work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Try1234 Report post Posted November 18, 2021 Awesome job!, I know I just met you,but can you please give me some details about the saddle school?.I'm from south Texas and seeking knowledge on saddlemaking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikesterson Report post Posted September 5, 2023 Looks great I’m at the Montana Horseman Saddle school right now. I’m really enjoying my time with Dale, Cody and the other students. We just started our saddles today. This post makes me excited for mine and my Mount as she doesn’t like my production saddle I currently have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desullivan Report post Posted September 7, 2023 (edited) Keep the updates coming on the course and the experience and add some photos if you can! Enjoy your course. Edited September 7, 2023 by desullivan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikesterson Report post Posted September 9, 2023 @desullivan thanks! I’ll try to reformat some photos cause I’ll hit the size limit with just one. I made a few reels I’ve posted to my Instagram if folks are interested in seeing the student demo saddles nearly finished Instagram tag is Kesterdaddy. Our class has some really dedicated folks in it and I can’t speak highly enough of Dale and his grandson Cody. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Burkhardt Report post Posted September 9, 2023 Nice looking work. Pics are easy to resize. Videos not to sure, most people put on YouTube then post the link and they upload fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
