I am curious about something. There are many of us here on the forum that collect leather holsters, belts, and other items. There are also horse owners here that obviously own saddles. My question is: Is there anybody here that loves leather so much that they own a vintage saddle, but no horses?🤔😃 After all, a saddle is just more of that fantastic leather! Of course, that may be the downfall of this thought. No horse..........where do you store a saddle?
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I have a saddle and no horse. Not on account of the leather but for who owned it. It was my grandfathers. He was a working cowboy who never was wealthy but his saddle was built for him by Connolly Brothers Saddlery in Billings MT. His boots were always measured and built to fit. He passed in 1977 at age 88. Now the saddle resides on a saddle stand I built from reclaimed lumber in the corner of my living room.

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I have two saddles but the horses are history.


One was a high school graduation present from my Grand Dad. I went to the Heiser Factory in Denver and custom ordered it..I outgrew it decades ago but my son wants it if he ever settles down somewhere.


The other one is just one I had built when I went back to ranching 40 years ago. I rode it for 20 years before moving back to town.



I tried to sell it to a Saddle guy at Frontier Days, but he din't want it.
He said it was plumb wore out.

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Eccentric old coot

No longer have my saddle, but I do have the halter I used when showing quarter horses. I’ll try to get a photo of it

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

I had my best riding saddle for 10 years after selling my last horse. It took all that could summon up to sell it. I have actually felt like sending a brief note to the purchaser to see how my former saddle is holding up and if they are treating it right. ..... :-)

My father in law loved to ride horses. When he died a few months back he had not ridden in years because of his health issues.His best friend Was at the funeral and my mother in law asked if he would like Johns saddle.She told him it had not been touched in years but he said John had taught him and his son how to care for a saddle.His son who John taught how to ride on that saddle is now riding tall on it. Sorry for drift.

I have never owned a saddle nor a horse. There was, at least as of 1972, a country western bar in San Antonio Texas that had actual saddles as bar stools.

No, I didn't sit on one, they reminded me of playing "horsy" with a toddler.

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U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

THE best part of owning a saddle and no horse is you can enjoy it without having to feed or clean up after it.

I sold the cows, then the horses, but I kept the saddle. It was built around 1935-37 by Daines Saddle Co. in Sacramento, Ca. The saddle resides in the spare room on a saddle rack.

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Kevin in Oregon

Here’s the halter. Hasn’t been on a horse since roughly 1993.

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a gorgeous vintage saddle atop a magnificent saddle stand in my house for years and years. I actually owned an Arabian stallion but he lived on a ranch in West Texas and the saddle was not for him, it was home decor! The whole thing burned up in 2018. I might have to find another saddle and saddle stand again! They looked so great in my house!!!!

The Arabian lives somewhere else now, assuming he is still alive. I lost track of him; I was more upset losing the saddle!!!!

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Come and take it!!

ISCS Yoda,
Do you remember the maker of your vintage saddle? Got any pictures of the saddle or horse to share?


Fixed it for you Cory. The halter looks amazing!
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I've owned a bunch of saddles. Back in the day, when I rode almost every day the tack room seemed empty unless there were six or so saddles in there. I collected Porter saddles for a while. I think I got up to about six of those expensive units. Now my tack room has been converted to a gunroom/man cave with only one saddle for decoration with a bunch of other cowboy stuff, bits and spurs etc.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Thanks, I missed the autocorrect.

The halter needs some oil & I should polish the silver. I'll oil it tomorrow.

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

Currently there are six riding saddles in the tack room and three pack saddles. Now, I only have three animals. Three of the riding saddles belong to my kids who only use them when they come up to visit.

However, one of the riding saddles is an old McClellan Army saddle. Even though these saddles were used by the Army into the 1940's, I had heard that the Army quit making them somewhere in the 1920's. So, bottom line, I don't know how old this old McClellan is, but it's older than I am...and that's old.

I was always raised that the last thing you do is give up your saddle. When that happens, it's a sign that you're through riding. I remember when my dad donated his custom-made Crosby roper saddle to the church's building fund auction. I knew then that the ol' man was callin' it quits. He had a heart attack a couple years later. Survived, but wasn't the same.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

My middle brother got rid of his horses, but has two US Army McClelland saddles on display in his den. Both are in very good condition and look a bit odd to someone who learned to ride on a saddle with a pommel. When I was in the cavalry, we rode in Huey helos so I have no idea how good the McClelland saddle is. I assume that it was named after Major General McClelland who was idolized by his soldiers, but fired by President Lincoln in about 1864 or so.

My youngest brother who still has horses has a nice Ned Norton roping saddle that I bought him several years ago.

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Keep your powder dry.

I have a J. C. Higgins made by Bon Allen, made around 1900. Found in an attic out west and was never rode. Now it sits in my gun room on a saddle stand I made. looks brand new!...…………………………………………………..M*

I don't have a saddle, but should I ever get more money than holes in my pocket I'll sure as hell give my business to Pedro Pedrini or Cary Schwarz. Of course, there's other great saddle builders too...











Pedrini Saddle Company

Leatherwork Portfolio | Cary Schwarz Custom Saddles

Pictures were taken at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK in OKC. If you ever travel through Oklahoma City stop by there, it's worth the time/money. Depending on the exhibits you'll probably need half a day at least.

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Jorge

Please show us some pictures of your saddle.

WOW, those are definitely works of art! I wonder if anyone ever buys one and actually uses it? Thanks for sharing. I would love to visit the museum.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Dale Harwood is an Emeritus Saddle Maker. I had one of his saddles built in 1971 when I was working in Idaho Falls, ID. I got the saddle early in the summer and rode it after work during the summer and got transferred to Virginia in the fall. It has been in my family rooms ever since. It has never seen any weather and has been dusted every week and cleaned every year with Lexol Conditioner. It has a Leuallin tree, 15 1/2 seat, 13 inch front, 3 1/2 inch cantle, 7/8 rigging, and Morun stirrups covered and sewed, 3 inch stirrup leathers doubled and rolled, and is basket stamped.
I will not be using a saddle any longer and therefore it is for sale.

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I’ve enjoyed this thread but anytime I get near a saddle in person I close my eyes and hurry past it. The last thing I need is more and bigger leather items.
They sure are pretty though.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

I've seen some at flea markets and antique stores and wished I had a reason to buy them.
I did see a black guy one time that rode a Honda Valkyrie and he had replaced the original seat with a saddle. Said he was riding an iron horse .

Inherited a saddle from my father in law, when the had the old leather replace the tree was stamped 1908. The saddle is heavy and well built; when I get home in will take pictures and post some photos. I also have a Texas saddle that is awsome also and a couple tucker saddles that are really comfortable. None compares to the 1908 saddle.

McClelland saddles are the most uncomfortable I have ever rode. I'd love to have one as a conversation piece but not to ride.

I do still own my old roperbut it hasn't been on a horse in 30 years. My father bought it at a cattle sale about 60 years ago. I still like to ride but have no place to keep a horse so the few times a year I get to ride it's on someone elses horse with their tack.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

I still have the horses, but the saddles get to come inside nowadays....

The first one I had made is an A-fork style. It was built by Circle Y, their factory is close to my home and they made it to order.

The second saddle is by Lebman in San Antonio, TX. I came into possession of this one by way of an old holster & western art collector that I know. It was made 1920-1930 in Lebman's downtown workshop. It is the only saddle that I have ever seen with a chain border (like ship anchor chain). I had it restored by my saddle maker buddy in Bryan, TX. It hasn't been near a horse since then.

I have several other saddles, but no pictures of those. They all live in my home and stay in the AC and out of the heat.

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On the Oak Savannah

A number of years ago my sister used my western saddle and my jumping saddle as trade in on a new flat saddle for her Arab mare.

I’ve still got a fair amount of tack including a pack saddle and panniers, but haven’t had a chance to use them recently.

I got out of the horse buisness a long time ago. My sister still likes to feed horses she gets little use from, other than as pets.

“ The second saddle is by Lebman in San Antonio, TX. I came into possession of this one by way of an old holster & western art collector that I know. It was made 1920-1930 in Lebman's downtown workshop. “
Hyman Lebman made other interesting items as well as saddles and had an exclusive if suspect clientele, google his name for a fun read.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

Would all saddle and no horse be kinda like all hat and no cattle?
I have the hat, but no cattle.

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In Omnia Paratus

John,
You are one of the ones that I thought might have a saddle! Their size is definitely a drawback.

Scott,
Those rigs look really nice to guy who knows nothing about them, but is willing to research. What else is there to do during this epidemic?

Phil,
You are another guy that I thought might own a saddle, but no horse. I mean, after all, you ARE crazyphil!!😃 You match awesome holsters with hats and knives. Looks like Scott can match awesome saddles with hats and guns.

I keep trying to tell myself, "A saddle is just more leather to appreciate." And from some of the terrific posts here, I see that a saddle can be displayed for all to admire.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Larry,

There is a whole big story behind Lebman's in San Antonio. I won't clutter the thread with it.

There is a SD Myres fully tooled saddle at the TX Ranger museum that I would love to have. The only SD Myres saddle that I have ever seen in person.

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On the Oak Savannah

Wish I still had my Hereford Aristocrat. Wonderful memories.

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My dad gave me his Herford saddle in 1980, 11 years before he died. I
used it until 2000 when I switched to all mules. The Herford did not fit
any of those. I passed the saddle along to my nephew, dad's grandson,
and he has it at his house on the old home place, but no horse.

The horses are gone, but the saddles are still around; about 5 of them anyways.

My favorite pleasure riding saddle was originally bought by my MIL from a Sears & Roebuck catalog. It's lightweight; sits well on most horses & is quite comfortable.

Scott, you and John are right. I just googled and read the H. Lebman of San Antonio history. He definitely had some interesting customers. The kind that you wouldn't want to make mad. Mr. Lebman must have been really talented in both gunsmithing (from the story) and saddle making from Scott's pictures.

It is funny that you mentioned Myres saddles. When I started this post, I looked on the internet for some pictures of some of their work. Since they made such beautiful holsters, I thought their saddles would be superb too. Considering the company was called SD Myres Saddle Company, and were advertised as making "The World's Finest Saddles", I thought I would find quite a few pictures. I hardly found any, but I did find this catalog from the 40's.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

How many have heard of Ted Flowers saddles, He made mostly parade saddles, Ted was known all across the country. I live about 20 miles from his shop, Ted was killed by a family member back in the 70s. He used a lot of silver on his saddles and they were very ornate...……………………………………………..M*

I've owned two saddles in my life.......
Had a purty bad wreck on a bronc and broke the tree in my first'n.

I had Ben Swanke build me this'n back in the last century.

My Dad kidded me a right smart about having a forty dollar saddle and a ten dollar horse.

At that time, a thousand dollar ranch horse was a prize...
A three thousand dollar saddle was king's ransom for a working cowboy.

I guess the grandson's will have to draw straws for it.



.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

That's one fine looking filly.......and the horse ain't bad either.

Mr. Dave, our taste In guns and saddles seem to go hand in hand yours is pretty much the one I'd like. Right now I have an association treed Ozark out of Waco with round skirts. Always wanted a nice Wade tree with round skirts 7/8 rigged, bullhide tree. Just can't justify it as much as I ride now. For those that feel the lack of a seat between the bars on a McCllean saddle makes it uncomfortable, it was to maintain military bearing. On a diet of beans and hardtack it would be hard to keep neat orderly ranks with every other trooper leaning right or left to break wind. In one of them saddles you can sit up straight no matter what.

My mom's family were cattle ranchers in south Texas. When I think of them, I think of the combination of smells of leather, horse sweat and oats.

Dave,
I was hoping you would respond to this thread. You said that you broke the tree on your saddle. As bad as that would be, I hope none of YOUR bones were broken! I would guess the tree was made of hard wood and would take quite a lot of force to break it! That is why it takes a real man to be a cowboy. You, sir, fit that description.

I really like your saddle. My only question is "What kind of dog is that big shaggy white one, with the leather straps and buckles, in the lower left of your picture??" Just kidding, of course, but what am I looking at?
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

boykinip…….Looks like wooly chaps!...……………………………...M*

Larry, I think I can answer that for you. Dave can correct me if I'm wrong, but if I'm not mistaken, you're lookin' at Dave's woolies....wooly chaps usually made out of angora hide or something similar. Occasionally you'll see some out of bear hide, but not often. The ol' boys that ride where it's colder than a mother-in-law's kiss are mighty thankful for their woolies.

If I remember correctly, when ol' Dave was pullin' a pack string, it was there in Montana up in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. In places like that, you don't measure snow by the inch. You measure it by the foot.

I've seen lots of woolies over the years, some dyed the most gosh-awful colors you can imagine....but Dave's got himself a mighty good-looking pair...what little we can see of 'em.

Edit: Oops. Looks like Mblhopo beat me to the punch.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Speaking of saddles....all I can say is WOW!!! Those are some downright beautiful "kaks" some of you folks have.

Here's a picture of mine. Like Dave's, this was made for me during the last century by Dave Clowes, a saddle maker out of Bonanza, Oregon. It's built on a 15½-inch Wade tree and has logged literally hundreds of miles pullin' a pack string. Not real fancy, but definitely a workin' saddle. (Oh...and that's Scotty stickin' his tongue out at the camera.)


Here's another Clowes-built saddle, on a 15-inch Bowman tree. You'll notice both trees have a relatively high cantle (back). Great for riding in steep country. You're not as likely to slip off the back when going uphill.


You'll notice Dave Keith's saddle (post #36) also has a high cantle. When you see a saddle like that, it's a pretty good bet that its owner has spent a lot of time in some pretty rough country.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I have a lot of interesting “stuff” in my living room including a .36 caliber black powder pistol in a western rig hanging from the desk with .45Colt in the loops so no one can shoot themselves. Longhorns mounted, Tombstone memorabilia, Buck Taylor art, and a cowboy hat rack are a few others. I bought a bronc rider saddle at a pawn shop just because I thought it was cool. From Hennessy Rodeo Maker in Texas. I figure some bronc rider finally had enough and pawned it for gas money to get home. No, I’ve never owned a horse. Just a few Harleys.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

As some have said, they are angora goat 'Wooly' full shotgun chaps

I don't rightly recall now, how cold it was the morning someone snapped this pic...
But I'd say, the morning air was right sharp.

Wooly chaps, insulated pac boots and a wool jacket.



Larry,
Here's another pic with some gear....Sliver snaffle bit and mane hair mecate and a horse hair shu-fly.



Click on the pic and ya can see the rope tracks on
the rawhide cantle binding, from draggin' em to the fire

.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

McClellan saddles were designed to save the horse's back, not the cavalryman's butt.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I’m away from home and my library but I believe Tio Sam Myres gave his shop over to the Army during WW I and made McClellan saddles.
Myres made some fantastic show saddles, I’ll see if I can dig up a photo or two. Great thread on all counts. But I’m still going to resist ever buying a saddle.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

I have never owned a horse but I rode a lot of them on Saturday mornings, 50+ years ago, with my hero, Roy Rogers. That is why I purchased this Roy Rogers pony saddle many years ago. It sits on a saddle stand in my family room along with other "King of the Cowboys" memorabilia, like four Daisy Roy Rogers commemorative BB Rifles.
In my gun safe are 3 Colt and 4 Ruger Roy Rogers commemorative single action revolvers and 1 Marlin, 1 Mossberg and 3 Winchester Roy Rogers commemorative lever action rifles.
I believe a cereal company doing a promotion with Roy gave away 48 Palomino ponies and 48 Roy Rogers pony saddles, one in each state, before Alaska and Hawaii became states, back in the late 40's or early 50's. This is one of those 48 pony saddles.

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The wife now has several more saddles than horses.

Thank goodness.

The saddles sit on racks in the corner and don't eat, poop, or require a vet or blacksmith.

My ex-wife got the registered half Arab half Morgan horse and saddle in the divorce. I should write a country and western song about that!

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NRA & TSRA
Texas CHL Holder