Saddle Safety: Saddle Fit & Storage

It is disheartening, as saddle maker and one who also repairs saddles, to look at saddles that have been abused and not cared for by the owners. A saddle in poor repair can lead to a serious accident and even to a fatal accident.

A saddle must fit well on your horse, for your horse to perform at his fullest. The saddle must also fit the rider properly. There are many factors to look at when fitting a saddle to your horse; these factors are for a later discussion.

When purchasing a saddle for your horse, first look at the construction of the saddle, especially if it is a used saddle. Secondly, will this saddle fit your horse? Thirdly, will the saddle fit you? If unsure about the saddle fitting your horse; ask if you could take the saddle home, so you can check the fit on your horse, with a custom made saddle you will not be able to do this. When the above questions are satisfied; then look at the color, glitter, fancy lacing and silver looking hardware.

When you bring the saddle home, store the saddle in a well ventilated room, out of direct sun light and off the ground, critters like to chew on leather. Leather exposed to the sun will darken and even burn. Do not store your saddle in a damp area either!

Take care of the saddle, clean the saddle on a regular schedule, especially after heavy use, like a long trail ride or roping event. The tack stores sell many products for maintaining your saddle. A well maintained saddle makes for an enjoyable and safe ride.

Basic Western Saddle

. Use 12-15 oz domistic leather, border stamped only.

. SF Bowman rawhide covered tree, wood, w/ Arizona bars, 13" fork, 4" dally horn, 3 1/2" cantle, seat length depends on the physical size of the customer.

. Use only flat plate rigging, 7/8 position.

. Brass rigging plates (5053).

. Stainless steel rear rigging plates.

. 1" Stainless steel flat dees for the breast collar

. Wool shearling, bark tanned, golden or natural your choice, 3/4-1" thick.

. Leather covered stirrups, 1/2" thick hickory wood w/galvanized bindings, visalia, 2 1/2 tread.

. Brass Blevin Buckles, 3" improved.

. 22 gauge galvanized sheet tin for ground seat.

. 1 3/4" latigo leather 72" long

. 1 3/4" half breed latigo. 72" long

. 100% mohair cinch, 32" long, 19 strand w/stainless steel buckles.

. 4" wide, lined and stitched rear flank cinch w/flat stainless steel buckles, border stamped.

. 8 ea leather conchos.

. Latigo wrapped horn.

. Brush popper loop style rope strap.

. 1/2" latigo saddle straps.

. Safety straps around stirrup leather

. Stirrup leathers are twisted so stirrups are perpendicular to the saddle to relieve strain on the
legs.

. Natural oil finish.

Purchasing Saddles from Catalogs

I subscribe to a number of horse related magazines, in turn I receive a number of catalogs related to the horse industry. They market many products, some offer saddles for sale, some costing as low as $250.00 and others as much as $1000.00 or more.

Catalogs are a great place to purchase products but in my opinion not the place to buy a saddle. Pictures can be misleading, I want to be able to put my hands on the saddle, pick it up, turn it over and really give it an inspection because I have a horse that I love and care for, and I care for my own safety. I want to make sure that the saddle will fit my horse, an ill fitting saddle is like a humane being wearing a backpack that doesn't fit well, you will become one cranky hiker.

The same with the horse, if the saddle doesn't fit well he can get very cranky and that puts my safety at risk. I have paid a great deal of money for my horse and paid trainers to make my horse a better horse. Why would I put a $250.00 saddle on my horse's back and risk the health of my horse and risk life limb using such a saddle. Drive to your local saddle maker or tack store, pick that saddle up, turn it over and give it an inspection, don't you believe your horse is worth the effort.