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New Saddle and super excited

4K views 47 replies 23 participants last post by  LoriF 
#1 ·
Over the years I have purchased several western saddles and not completely happy with any of them for various reason. Either the saddle fits my horse but not me or it fits me and not the horse.

Finally I have decided to bite the bullet and have one made. The saddle maker is coming out this afternoon and fitting my horse with a tree, he'll size up my butt and go from there. He's a really cool guy with an artistic flair (Yay!) and his other customers seem to be really happy with what he puts out.
I'm going to get a wade style tree, probably two tone Black/dark oil, simple tooling but he's going to tool something on it that is specifically mine. I have an idea of what I want and I have to see if he can do it. I also found some really nice stirrups that I want too.

Now, all I have to do is sell all of these others to help pay for it. LOL.

Has any others that have had a saddle made specifically made for them have suggestions of what I should ask for to make a saddle nice? Any nice touches that you are glad that you have? Things that you couldn't live without now that you have it?

This journey is going to be fun.
 
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#3 ·
Exciting! I'm having the saddle fitter come soon to check out my Circle Y, and while I'm hoping it fits the new horse nicely I've also been looking into custom saddles just in case it doesn't :)

I think the one thing I really couldn't live without is D rings. All over the place. I love having options for hooking on saddle bags or different breast collars, etc. so I love a ton of D rings!
 
#5 ·
Well, he came out and we got everything worked out. We got the tree right, the seat right, colors, and hardware. He is going to put what I want tooled into the saddle. I want it to be simple but pretty. It should be ready by Oct. 6th, just in time for riding weather down here. I can't wait to see the finished saddle and start using it.

I have such a hard time with saddles because I'm so little. I would actually fit in a youth saddle but my legs are too long. The only saddles that I could find that fit me were barrel racing saddles but I don't want that, I don't barrel race. Also, the tall slender horns on barrel saddles don't appeal to me.

Now, to get all of the other saddles that I'm not using sold and out of my house. There are quite a few FB groups that are local for buying and selling tack so hopefully I can get them sold to help pay for the new one. If not, I'll just have to work harder and save. This will be my Christmas and birthday present to myself.

The saddle won't look exactly like this but the colors will be similar. This saddle was made by the guy who is making mine though. This one was made a long time ago and his style has changed a little but it will still be similar.
 

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#7 ·
A little bit later I'm really thinking of ordering one of these sets of stirrups. I really like them.
Any opinions on which ones would look best on this saddle? I'm leaning towards the first and the third ones.
 

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#14 ·
See now, I'm not a big fan of padding on the seat. I would like to add some padding to my rear end though, that might help. Matching breast collar and saddlebags are coming with it. :)
 
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#12 ·
Can I suggest having your stirrups pre-turned?
Sure makes riding in a new saddle less tiresome for the legs when the stirrups already have "turn" to them...
Break-in time comes with some soreness...but can be minimized too.

Pretty saddle....
I liked all the stirrups so I'm no help.
:runninghorse2:...


 
#15 ·
A guy named Don Orrell makes these stirrups. I have not heard of Nettles, I'll have to take a look at those as well, might find something I like better.
 
#28 ·
Yay, it's here and fits us both like a glove. I'll try it on Starhorse tomorrow and see if it fits her as well. The saddle is really well made and I can't wait to make it old and broken in. It came with a breast collar, saddle bags, back cinch and a bag to carry it in. I thought that it would be made with a smooth seat but he made it with a rough seat instead. I'm not disappointed though. I love it.
 

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#29 ·
Lovely saddle! Rough seats have more grip, yes? I ride english in a smooth dressage so I'm not sure lol!
 
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