Latest Posts
Herman Oak Leather Tannery VideoHere’s a fascinating video from Hermann Oak Leather (the premier maker of leather used for saddle making) on the leather tanning process. Read More →
The Cowboy WayMy last post was about the great Animal Planet series “Last American Cowboy” which features the Galt Ranch in White Sulphur Springs Montana, and several other ranches. I thought I’d share a fascinating book that also takes place on the Galt Ranch. The Cowboy Way: Seasons of a Montana Ranch by David McCumber is an eye-opening look at... [Read more ...]
Saddle Tips
My Best Best For Sore Riding Knees
Achy, breaky knees. If you spend any amount of time in the saddle, you know what...
Rope Strap: Attaching It To The Saddle
I’ve had a few questions about the rope strap and how it attaches to the saddle....
How To Carry a Western Saddle
Western saddles can be quite heavy and a challenge to manage for the shorter and...
The Cinching Stretch
After you’ve finished tightening your cinch (Make sure to read about the proper...
Read More Posts From This CategoryFeatured Posts
Slippery Saddles
I receive a fair amount of mail asking me what causes slippery saddles and how to...
Saddlemaking Video: Start to Finish
The saddlemaking process is fascinating and complex. Keith Valley, an accomplished...
Saddle Repairs & Alterations: Saddle Specialists Only
We receive quite a few inquiries from folks looking for somewhere to have their saddle...
Cheap Saddles Aren’t Cheap
The tough economic times we’re experiencing has all of us looking for ways...
Read More Posts From This CategorySaddle Fit
Saddle Fit QuizThe folks over at Horses.About.com have posted a Saddle Fit Quiz that is a good test of your saddle savvy. I took the test and was quite relieved to have gotten all the questions correct. It sure would have been embarrassing to have the editor of the Western Saddle Guide flunk the test or get even one wrong. Luckily for me, Katherine Blocksdorf, About.com’s... [Read more of this review]
Saddle Fit And Horse AnatomyThere are four critical points of the horse’s anatomy that impact saddle fit. Withers Shoulders Spine/Back Point of Hip/Loins Withers. Ideally, the withers of the horse are level with, or a little above, the highest point of the rump (or croup). Withers that are higher or lower than this would need special consideration when choosing a saddle. To... [Read more of this review]
The Western Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle Fit BookVeterinarian, Joyce Harman’s much-delayed book on saddle fit for the western horse was officially released today, July 2nd. The Western Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book Dr. Harman’s earlier books and DVDs have clearly established her as the preeminent expert in saddle fit, but, more importantly, as someone who can make the... [Read more of this review]
The Impact of Saddle Position on Saddle FitSome saddle fit problems aren’t caused by a poorly fitting saddle, but rather by a saddle positioned poorly. Saddles are designed to match the horse’s anatomy when in their proper position. If the saddle is positioned in front of, or behind this position, it can cause physical problems for both the horse and rider. Proper saddle position... [Read more of this review]
The Very Best Resource for Western Saddle FitI would estimate that well over half of the emails and questions I receive are about saddle fit. So, while I believe it’s not as complicated as some folks make it out to be, it’s obvious people are looking for answers. There’s quite a bit of saddle fit information on the Western Saddle Guide site, but there’s always more to know. Western... [Read more of this review]
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