So you want to buy a cheap saddle package?

Here is a Tree from one of those 500.00 Imports, it is Hollow Fiberglass, the Cracks are shown with Circles, the purple looking stuff on the edges shown with arrows is what the Cheap Makers call a Rawhide Wrapped Tree.

PS, Saddle was never dropped and Horse did not roll on it
Think it was ridden twice. The Tree weighs about 3lbs. A Real Tree weighs 8-12lbs.





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I knew someone on here had a picture of a cheap western tree! I just couldn't remember who. Thanks, Southern, for finding this thread!

I had been sent two english saddles in which the tree had broken in both. One was a high end, the other like the above. I had obtained these for the sole purpose of dismantling them. The low end looked much like the one in the pics Golden Horse posted. I usually refer to that type of flocking as mouse nesting. This was a hunt saddle so I even checked into the suede knee rolls. Fine shavings in there along with two pebbles. Both saddles had broken in approx. The same place but the high end was over 50 years old and had seen a lot of jumping. The quality in the hardware was top-notch and not a speck of rust. The leather was incredible, so pliable. Unfortunately, my camera was film and on the fritz so no pics. Now I keep two cameras, digitals of course.

I had a saddle come in for consignment, something I won't do with such a low quality saddle but I was curious about the tree. Every effort was made to conceal it so I grabbed a big honkin screwdriver and slipped it between the skirt and the tree in the air channel. Using the screwdriver like a pry bar I was able, with the help of a flashlight, see the tree. I've never seen anything like that wood in my like. All that came to mind was worm wood as it had a bazillion tiny holes in it. I set it on the rack and sat on it and for the life of me couldn't find the stirrup that was right there. I had to lean over and turn the stirrup for my foot.

To just answer the question in the thread name: no, I don't want to buy a "saddle package"!

The last two photos posted by the OP look like road-kill after two weeks.

Sort of makes one's hair stand on end, doesn't it?

Does anyone have pictures of a quality dismantled saddle that we could compare to the junk one?

I find this really interesting.

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps9b091bb0.jpg

Looks like something my cat threw up on the living room rug.

Can we sticky this?
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Thats awful :/ I have never really looked at those kind of saddles and wow... am I glad. I can't imagine what that would do to a horses back :(
(Now I also feel better about splurging on a prestige saddle)
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