buying a saddle for the pony and little kids. . .

[tinah]

So we now have a complete baby sitter of a pony, and he goes English and Western. He fits fine in my medium tree pancake jumping saddle, and the hunt for a tiny (12-13 inch our so) western saddle is on. I found one on Ebay that is cute as a button, and is supposed to be a gone-over Montgomery Ward pony saddle ready to ride. Also, on craigslist is a kids Allen Ranch barrel saddle for 350 that we will probably look at tomorrow.

I’ll post links a soon as I get to a real computer. I’m the meantime, what do I need to watch out for? Is checking a tree just a matter of grab and twist? What do I need to know about high dollar repairs that don’t look like a lot of damage, like replacing the seat on an English saddle? And anything else on saddle buying I’m missing!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351018821974?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/grd/4319992116.html

[aktill]

Not much gullet width on that Ward saddle! Somebody recently replaced the stirrup leathers. The seat shape is pretty horrible too (as in shape, not condition).

[Sparrowette]

RE: Repairs. Don’t know about where you are, but here, I found an old guy who works out of his garage. He did loads of repairs on a Simco for less than what a shop wanted just for just the replacing the fleece. He’s not always home and doesn’t speak English (grandson does, though) but he is a whale of a leather worker.

You might try asking around if there’s anyone like this in your area. I found this guy WoM from former BO. He doesn’t advertise…

[ccoronios]

I’d want to see more pics of the CL saddle. Fleece, billets, front & back, …

[tinah]

I will more than likely go see the craigslist saddle in person. How do I assess the tree? What measurements typically make a semi qh bars?

[macmtn]

Use a piece of wire to make a wither template off your pony and take that with you. Condition means nothing if it does not fit…

[tinah]

Bought the Allen ranch saddle and dropped it off with the Allen ranch to have the latigo holder replaced and the nylon latigos replaced with leather. Our, as Stanley calls them, the rigging. He’s also making me a custom bridle with a futurity browband and split reins for the little guy since everything I can finds locally is either nylon or crap leather.