Turning Western Stirrups

It shouldn't. The saddle I used for the example is a light/medium oil and the color returned to normal when it dried. Many many of the top brand saddles and custom saddles are done in that way. I've done it without wetting the leather as well but the saddle had very pliable leather - not stiff leather.

hm. Maybe im just scared to try. My saddle is VERY light:)

Any idea on how I could turn the stirrups on a synthetic fender? I tried the stick method and it didn't work. TIA.

I just turned a Fabtron saddle for a friend. It's done the same way except you don't need to wet the "leather" since it is synthetic.

Thank you. I have a Fabtron. I'll give it a try.

I did it! Thanks so much.

OK, I've read this entire post, and I'll admit I'm an idiot. I have a vintage saddle on the way and I want to do this before I take it to the barn. But I got lost on the 'pit your blevins in the right holes, then remove it, and I looked at the pictures and I'm not a visual motor spatial relationships type person and I couldn't figure out what to turn where. I mean I know in my head which way you want to turn it to have it in the right position, but I'm still stuck on removing the hobbles, etc. Don't they have to be turned too? Am I making this harder than it is? Cheryl

I guess to put it another way, note the holes the blevins went in, take it off, and reverse it (so that if the metal was facing in, it should now face out), and use the same holes when you put it back.

Sorry if it wasn't as clear as it could have been.

Try following the pictures instead of reading the directions. - hope that helps. If not, PM me and I'll try to walk you through it.

I'm sorry, I think I got confused on the blevins. So when my saddle comes, I should put it on my mare and sit it in and get it where the stirrups are right. And the blevins is just the metal part on the hobble? I hear people talk about (as with the saddle I bought) it has blevins stirrups, and I never knew that meant the piece of metal that goes in the holes. I think if I put it in backwards like you suggested, it would help. And I am going to look at the pictures again. Thanks so much, Cheryl

This is good advise except that it will Not work unless your Blevins are already on backwards. This is sometimes done on factory saddles to allow for the use of Tappaderos but in most cases, saddle stirrup leathers will not come with the blevins as you have them pictured. (backwards..this causes the extra leather to have to wrap around the stirrup bar, unless the stirrups are twisted)

Most times you will have to knock out your rivets and flip the blevins over and re-rivet them order to twist them.

Hope this helps clear up any problems that some of you may be having while trying to figure this sticky out.