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Identify this part on roping saddle

2K views 16 replies 12 participants last post by  Saddlebag 
#1 ·
So this may very well be an incredibly stupid and obvious question, but what is the purpose of the strap pictured on this saddle I just ordered?

It's the strap diagonally crossing over the rear cinch de-ring, not the tie-strap attached to the concho.

Thanks!

 
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#3 ·
Even if it's Asian-made, which I don't really have any issues with as long as it has a sound tree and fits my horse (which will be decided upon when it arrives, and can be returned within 14 days for only the cost of return shipping)

It doesn't make sense as to why a random strap would be added I definitely agree, but how come that means that the maker doesn't know what they're doing?

When I zoomed in on the picture it looks like there may be a loop attachment on the underside of it, but it's not a great angle to tell for sure...

Its just a no brand saddle from Ebay, and I thankfully don't plan to actually rope with it, I have another saddle that I spent much more money on that serves that purpose specifically :)

This saddle is just meant to be a trail/schooling saddle I have a bit of a saddle-buying addiction hahaha
 
#4 ·
No idea what that strap is, not that the people who make those Saddles in India have a clue about Western Saddles either.

349.00 and free shipping?

I have seen far too many of those things and would suggest if you can stop the order to stop it from shipping and if 350.00 is all you have look for a Name Brand US Made Used Saddle.

You could order 3 of the same Model and they will all fit differently.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your Horse will appreciate it if you do not use one of those things on him/her......

.
 
#6 ·
No workmanship went into that saddle, sorry to say. That strap is there for no good reason. As long as the tree is sound? I would be worried it would crack as I heard they are made from fiberglass that is not cured properly, meaning is can be hollow, big bubbles. Cancel that sucker now!
 
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#9 ·
Thanks for all the input, in response:

No I am not going to be roping with this saddle, ever. I have a wonderful Billy Cook roping saddle for just that. The fact that they list it as a roping saddle is totally irrelevant to my needs, and I have ordered it with that in mind.

The tree is listed as a wood tree double reinforced with fiberglass.
I've worked with fiberglass myself in my work and I know the material well.
Even if by happen-chance the fiberglass did fail, which being used as a coating instead of solid structure, isn't likely to happen, the wood would be an entirely different discussion.
Can I say the quality of the wood used? absolutely not. With all that being said, I have to put some faith into what I'm buying into.

The location of the actual maker is likely overseas, but I am buying from an American dealer which is based out of Illinois, just as a footnote. Prior to making this order I called and spoke to the company directly and discussed this in great detail.

The fact that the strap serves potentially no service doesn't deeply concern me because why should it? Sure it's stupid, and sure this is probably a conveyor belt line saddle, I don't expect anything more from a bottom of the line saddle.

I wasn't interested in getting into all this detail but, and I do appreciate the concern greatly and I would respond in the same way if I felt there was concern to be had, my intentions for this saddle is just light schooling in a ring, with my 140 pound self riding an hour at a time in it. I have close to ten saddles I use in rotation because my horse is a constantly changing figure and needs a different tree on a regular basis, each one fits a little different, and as I participate in many disciplines with him, they reflect upon each type of riding we do.
I'll be the first one to admit aloud that I've walked into duds before, some I can evade like a potential problem this could be with a return period, some like a few I have now, are sitting as I'm trying to process selling them.

With saying that I know thoughts are going to, well why if you have such a hard to fit horse are you buying cheap products like this? and my response to that would be because I know my horse extremely well and I do my research, I would never put something on his back or to any part of him that would potentially cause problems.
I can assure you that upon arrival I will have gone over every concerning aspect of this saddle with everything short of a microscope, as I do with everything that concerns this guy.

I once again want to mention that I appreciate all the thought and input I receive, because I know long posts such as this one can be perceived in the wrong way, and that I don't want to come off in the wrong light.

When it arrives (due middle of next week) I'll make an update for any curious parties, and will let you know the decision I'll be making. I also work closely with two saddle fitters, one for my English gear, and one for my Western, and if need be can easily have them out.

Thanks again
 
#13 ·
Only thing I have to add is be careful buying saddles from overseas (especially cheap ones) as a lot of inexpensive leathers from India are tanned with a mixture that sometimes includes includes urine, this leaves the leather with a bad odor and in my opinion, the few pieces I have seen done this way looked dirty like the tanning process was ruining the leather. I would be concerned about the disgusting odor rubbing off me. Be very careful buying tack online from outside the U.S.
 
#14 ·
A big part is the price. A new western saddle for $300 plus shipping isn't going to have much to praise about it, other than price. Here is a close up of that model:





We've used a Circle Y saddle for the last 6 years. It was $450, built before 1990 and looks to have another 15-20 years left in it.

The leather in the saddle above looks thin and hard to my eye. If the maker puts a meaningless leather flap on where it can be easily seen, what are they doing where things cannot be seen? If they cut corners where it is obvious, what are they doing where you cannot see?

It is kind of like seeing a dirty bathroom in a restaurant. If they don't clean what the customer can see, what is going on in the kitchen? :shock:

If Abetta says their saddle has a FQHB tree, I'll believe them. Ralide trees are not perfect, but they are pretty good for their price point. We've got an Abetta that we bought new for about $350, IIRC...not a high end saddle, but it doesn't pretend to be. Used as a guest saddle, it will be around after I'm dead. I used it myself on Mia a few times - too small for me and the stirrups feel like they are too far back, but fussy Mia didn't complain. For the price, Abetta is a brand I trust...currently $360 with free shipping on Statelinetack. An old Circle Y for $450? If it fits, snatch it up! But I suspect the saddle the OP is buying is junk.

Without tearing it apart, there is no way to know for certain. I wouldn't want that uncertainty. Others can...but I wouldn't put it on the backs of any of my horses.
 
#15 ·
I would not touch that saddle with a 10 foot pole much less have it anywhere near my horses back.

People have ripped open the super cheap over-seas made english saddles and its a scene from a horror movie in there, I cant imagine what kind of horror show they could do with twice the amount of saddle....
 
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