Can you tell me anything about my saddle?

[CustomDesign]

I saw the other poster’s thread and it inspired me to start my own.

I am not a western rider, but bought this saddle a few years ago for my husband so he could trail ride with me. The person I bought it from said she thought it may be an old Bona Allen (I think that’s what she said).

Anyway, all I know is that it is a Western saddle, it appears well-used, it’s frikkin heavy, and it has a 15" seat.

Is it a decent saddle? What type is it? Any guesses on brand? I haven’t been able to find any brand markings. How old do you think it is? What might it be worth? (Wondering if it’s worth what I paid for it). Anything else you might be able to tell me?

Thanks

[PeanutButterPony]

that’s a nice older saddle. This may be it on the left

http://www.cabincreekcds.com/images/BonaAllen/Bona_Allen_Page_13.jpg

http://www.cabincreekcds.com/BonaAllen.htm

[PeanutButterPony]

that’s a nice older saddle. This may be it on the left

http://www.cabincreekcds.com/images/BonaAllen/Bona_Allen_Page_13.jpg

http://www.cabincreekcds.com/BonaAllen.htm

[Donkaloosa]

That is an older saddle, and I’m sure it weighs a ton! The round skirts were common on work saddles at one time. Old enough to be before Blevins buckles. Most likely a wide tree and definitely made of wood. Looks to be in good shape still. We had a bunch of this type at summer camp years ago when I was a stable manager, and they were used on our biggest horses (the ones I suspect were part draft). Older saddles seem to have always been smaller, but then again, how it fits depends on how exactly you sit in it. Value-wise, it’s worth whatever someone will pay for it. But if it fits your husband and the horse, hang on to it!

[CustomDesign]

Thanks for the links, PeanutButterPony! It does look like that might be the one! Very cool to see the old ads.

Donkaloosa, it definitely doesn’t fit my husband (it was sold to me by an Internet friend from another forum as a 17" which is basically the entire reason I bought it, because I couldn’t find any 17" in my area at the time. When I got it I measured it and it’s definitely a 15") but I’ve kept it around for so long basically because I think it’s very pretty :lol:

It has fit the 2 horses I’ve used it on, one a half draft and one a giant appendix QH. And it does seem to fit me fine-- which, even though I don’t ride western, is obviously further justification for keeping it around

Thanks for the info! It’s fun to think maybe it was used as a work saddle on a big cattle ranch many years ago

[beau159]

Nice looking older saddle. I do agree it looks like a Bona Allen saddle.

If you are going to use it, I would recommend getting the fleece redone.