Saddles

[boykinlp]

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

 

[storyman]

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.

 

[Iggy]

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.

 

[richcory]

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

 

[Big Cholla]

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. .....

 

[shell627]

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.

 

[Oracle]

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.

 

[Pig Hunter]

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

 

[Igiveup]

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.

 

[richcory]

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

Cory

 

[ISCS Yoda]

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!!!!

 

[boykinlp]

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

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

Cory

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

 

[LEO918]

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.

 

[richcory]

Thanks, I missed the autocorrect.

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

Cory

 

[Mule Packer]

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.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

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.

 

[Mblhopo]

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*

 

[JJEH]

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.

 

[boykinlp]

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*

Please show us some pictures of your saddle.

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...

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.

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

 

[Tom Conrads]

Dale Harwood Western Saddle

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.