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Replace or repair?

3K views 25 replies 10 participants last post by  Saddlebag 
#1 ·
I have probably the best saddle ever. It's like 38 years old, at least, and super comfy and well built and everything! Well... Yesterday I took Drift out cuz the ice was more or less gone and it was warm and such, and after being cooped up in his pasture all winter with no riding time, that brat was ready to GO. Had a good gallop/jumping session in a field that wasn't too crazy muddy and got him worked really well and calmed down, but I galloped him down a hill and jumped a creek right after and then turned sharply and I think I was putting too much weight in one stirrup... I snapped my fender in half. :cry: it had froze in the barn and was brittle where it snapped anyway, but my heart just sorta sank. I patted brat pony and got back on.. Luckily my guys will let me ride without stirrups! Dropped it off at my house and rode bareback to the barn. Big guy's fine, feelin good,a and super content after our ride, though a little irked that it was cut short.

So basically, should I bother replacing/repairing my fender, or should I just get a new saddle? The skirt is separating as well and I'm seriously thinking about replacing it... But I like the old fashioned type saddles and don't know of any good brands... I think this was a simco but I don't know, the stamp thing is really worn off. I may post pictures in the morning if I can figure this out... Lol! :lol:
 
#2 ·
Sadly no matter how well it is looked after leather doesn't last forever - the old rule of thumb in England was that a saddle should last as long as the horse it was made for , in other words about 20 - 25 years.
I have a leather girth in my workshop that was made in 1915 - it still looks good but the fiber content will have become brittle over time so it is not used anymore.

I would replace
 
#3 ·
Nutty has a point but to be honest... much "life" of leather also has to do with the quality of that leather when the saddle was originally made and the care during its lifetime.

If you are thinking about having it fixed that means you are nearby a leather craftsman....
Why not take the saddle to him/her, have the person look it over and give you their professional opinion if it is worth fixing the fender and any other areas needing attention of replacing the entire saddle. A $$ estimate for those repairs will also help you to make a decision on fix it or not...
A older saddle will need more TLC and close inspection...but they are made so much better than many of the newer saddles of today.

I know many who ride in saddles 20-25+ years of age everyday...saddles have been checked out do to their age and were said to be in great condition of tree and leather... a "good to go" after inspection.
They don't last forever...and do wear out...but every saddle should be evaluated individually for that reason.
 
#5 ·
Yeah I can. I'm on my iPad right now so I'll have to upload them somewhere else first, but I'll get them on here sometime today.

I really want to just replace it, but new leather us a lot different feeling and looking than worn, and I don't know how to tell if a saddle will be good or not... Any input? I'm not looking for a show saddle, per say, but just something that will last through 6+ hours of riding, every day, all year.. If it looks good too, well that's just a bonus. :lol:
 
#6 ·
Here's the saddle..



Sorry for the huge pictures guys, my iPad is being stupid. Here's the fender that snapped. Sorry you can't see it better. :( I'd take a decent picture and upload it via computer but it'd be loading all day. It just snapped where you set the length, which sucks.



And here's my happy little punk after his gallop. :) I hope I can get something figured out soon... Looking at the weather I think spring is finally here!

 
#8 ·
I actually thought about that, but I'd drive myself crazy trying to match the color exactly. Plus the skirt is separating, the actual seat is starting to come up... I am leaning towards just retiring it as much as I hate it. I just want to replace it with a good quality saddle...
 
#9 ·
Your fender looks fine, Its your stirrup leather that's broken! Its an easy fix and you wont need to worry about matching the color! I would replace both stirrup leathers at the same time. I would if it were mine also change out the Blevins buckles I would go with the vertical post instead of the horizontal ones you currently have. As for the skirt separating can you get a good clear pic of the separation/ damage? it may be a simple fix! I tinker around with saddle repair both at work and home! If something has a minor issue that doesn't need a pro It gets sent to me, LOL! My vote is obvious Fix it!
 
#14 ·
I thought it was all one piece, just threaded through the saddle and brought down? I'll get pictures this afternoon, I'm about to walk out the door right now though, haha! If I can fix this and get another saddle, I'd be the happiest person ever. Keep using this as a knock around everyday saddle and use the others for shows.. :)
 
#12 ·
Thanks! I got lucky. One was dropped off at my place and the other was a craigslist find. :)
 
#13 ·
Aw man! I got offered a job as a trail guide at land between the lakes for next summer, so I'm super excited about getting a big excuse to ride all the time. :) I'm kind of a magnet for everything horsey, I've met tons of people around here and we frequently haul to random places and ride. We were out at UTM a few weekends ago...
 
#15 ·
Alright, so I just pulled everything off my saddle to assess the damage and I was right. The fender is just one big piece, not a fender+leathers. I can't pull the fender off the saddle, because 38 year old saddle is being awful to remove stuff from, so you don't get pictures but yeah. :) if I can get the skirt fixed and match colours with fenders, I'll replace them until I can get a new saddle.
 
#18 ·
Thanks! I'll definately check it out.

:lol: super excited about the offer, I just need to get in touch with everyone again and work everything out. If it goes right, I'll be pretty much living out there this summer! I'll let you know how it hoes and whatnot and maybe we can ride sometime? We were GOING to haul up for spring break but I got in a fight with the girl offering to haul us sooo... :-(
 
#17 ·
If the leather doesn't want to move, stuff the handhold with lots of rags. Turn the saddle upside down to open up the skirts. Pull the fender so it flops over the edge of a table. Take hot water and dribble it down the broken strap so it runs toward the tree. Dribble, not pour. The rags will absorb the excess. Now dribble a little oil. Wait a minute and dribble more. Let it rest about 10 min. or longer so that the water and oil work their way deeper into the leather. Then hold the edge of the fender with one hand and grab the strap with the other. Push on the strap as you pull on the fender. By wiggling both in opposite directions it sometimes helps get it going. When you have it out, I need pic. I've replaced many stirrup leathers and may even be able to school you in how to do it yourself.
 
#19 ·
I'll lexol it in a bit. I think the actual tree/base part of the saddle is resting on it too much and making it hard to get out. In which case I have no clue what to do. :-(
 
#21 ·
Tandy leather will sell you a new stirrup leather. You'll have to drill out the rivets at the top of the fender and the Blevins buckle. Lay the old leather on the new, pressing it flat and cut off the excess and mark the holes to reattach the fender. Use the broken piece to mark the adjustment holes. It's not rocket science. Saddles are built so they can be repaired. At one time the stirrup leather was on the outside of the fender, when cowboys lived in their saddles. It was cheaper to replace the strap rather than the fender if it wore thin from use. What makes removal stubborn is few people think to slide the leathers back and forth and saddle soap them to add moisture. It dries out where it goes over the tree in the bent position which makes it difficult to move.
 
#22 ·
I'll post a picture of the skirt later if you want. Thanks for the advise! I think I might fix this one so I can use it as a knock around saddle, as well as looking into getting a new saddle. This one is just way too comfy!
 
#26 ·
6gun, every saddle that comes into my shop leaves with my initials discreetly placed for identification in such a way they'd be very difficult to remove if found. Here's on for you. Years ago my hubby was enjoying a few brew at the local watering hole when a fellow came in hoping someone would buy him a few or loan him some money so he could. Hubby asked him what he had of value because he knew he'd never see his money. A saddle. Hubby knew nothing about saddles but tho't it would please me so he gave the guy $75. After proudly announcing what he'd done I was skeptical as I went outside to see it. It was a top notch roping saddle that had belonged to the guy's wife. I've often wondered what she did to him.
 
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