General Saddle Topics

June 11, 2009

  • The Cinching Stretch

    After you've finished tightening your cinch (Make sure to read about the proper way to cinch a horse), there's one more step to ensure your horse's comfort and prevent saddle sores. (…)

May 15, 2009

May 7, 2009

  • Can You Oil a Saddle Too Much?

    The answer to this important question is an emphatic YES.

    Over time, excessive application of oil will break down the fibers in the leather and weaken it. (…)

February 7, 2009

  • Slippery Saddles

    I receive a fair amount of mail asking me what causes slippery saddles and how to deal with them. I have to be a bit delicate in my answer because the culprit is invariably a low quality saddle. (…)

January 9, 2009

December 19, 2008

  • Plastic Western Saddles?

    Sound crazy? Well, it's true. During a short period of time in the 1940's, the All Western Plastics Company in Nebraska produced plastic saddles. (…)

December 11, 2008

  • Big Horn Lives On?

    A month or so ago I announced that Big Horn had shut their doors. Now it appears that they might yet live. Word is that American Saddlery will be purchasing Big Horn or certain of their assets. (…)

December 5, 2008

October 31, 2008

  • Big Horn Goes Out of Business

    Chattanooga saddle maker Big Horn Inc. has closed its doors after decades of manufacturing saddles, horse riding equipment and personal leather goods. (…)

October 30, 2008

  • Antique Saddles & Collectible Value

    Many, many people email us asking if we can help them identify the maker of their antique saddle and determine it's value. Unfortunately we don't have the resources to provide that service. (…)

October 17, 2008

  • Ride Many Saddles

    You can learn a lot about western saddles from reading and talking to knowledgeable folks. There's tons of  information available on our Western Saddle Guide website. (…)

September 11, 2008

  • Mentoring Program for Cowboy Gearmakers

    There's a great article in the September issue of "Western Horseman" magazine (if you don't yet subscribe, add that to your to do list) about the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) mentoring program. (…)

August 21, 2008

  • Saddle Repair Is Best Left To The Experts

    Well-made saddles can take quite a bit of heavy use, but eventually you may find your saddle in need of repair. When this happens, it's tempting to try to fix the saddle yourself. (…)

July 25, 2008

  • Saddling and Handling a Horse: Which Side?

    Traditionally, horses have been handled from the near (left) side. Today, you'll see most folks leading, saddling, and mounting their horses from the near side. Why? (…)

June 29, 2008

June 4, 2008

  • Gaited Horse Saddles

    The popularity of gaited horses among recreational riders is definitely on the rise. (…)

May 29, 2008

May 5, 2008

May 2, 2008

  • Western Saddle Marks

    Most manufacturers and saddle makers will place their mark on their saddles. (…)

April 19, 2008

  • How To Ship Western Saddles

    We received a question from "Ben," a visitor and Saddle Sense newsletter subscriber, asking what was the best way to ship a western saddle.  We thought that was a great question and something we should share with all of our readers. (…)

Learn all about western saddles