Heavy @$$ saddle help.

[KBC]

@Bluey

I think I will hang a pulley from a beam and hang the saddle there, lead the horse underneath and ease the saddle down on his back.

Already starting to plan this option :lol:

[Bluey]

Seems that someone already builds and sells saddling cranes?
With remote control:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HERC-U-LIFT…-/291715296916

You can find anything on the internet.

[VAQUERO_45]

My heaviest saddle I ever owned was a Cactus 16 " Speed Williams pro roper . Weighed in at 41 lbs .

[js]

Agree with getting (if you can afford it) a lighter weight western saddle. Many barrel racing saddles weight less than 30 lbs, and there are synthetic’s that weigh 15-18 lbs, Cashel makes a nice trail saddle that weighs 24 lbs.

[KBC]

@Bluey

Seems that someone already builds and sells saddling cranes?
With remote control:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HERC-U-LIFT…-/291715296916

You can find anything on the internet.

Wonders of it could then lift me into the saddle?

[clint]

I have two western saddles, a 34 lb. Circle Y that I absolutely adore, and a very light Circle Y synthetic. The synthetic is as easy to put on a horse as any of my jumping saddles, and they aren’t very expensive, if you can find one you like.

[Joozybug]

I do it the Warwick Schiller way. It is still difficult for me if I don’t get it in the right location right off the bat. I can’t adjust it so I have to take it off and put it on again.
When I have a day when I think I only have one swing left in my shoulder, I step onto my step aerobics step and put it on! It’s only 6 inches or so high, but it’s just enough height and it’s like 30 inches long so that I’m not worried that I will fall off!

[TWH_Girl]

@goodhors

There ARE western saddles that weigh less than 50#s!! My old Tex Tan with wooden tree, only weighs in at 35 pounds.

Another idea is to saddle horse from his right hand side! I have done this for years, SO MUCH easier!. Hook the left stirrup on the horn, swing saddle up and on. Nothing to catch underneath, so you need less swing height to clear his back and blanket. You are already on his right side to straighten cinch, then walk around to girth up. I think horse getting tacked from the right is helpful too, letting horse get used to people doing things from that side. Blanketing from the right with sheets etc is also easier without surcingles flying around! We also saddle English saddles from the right side, nothing to get caught under after swinging saddle up and on horse back. Straighten the hanging girth, then walk around to girth up.

I agree that starting with western saddle is easier, spreads out the load better and then horse thinks any other saddle weighs nothing!! Ha ha

This is how I do it! My arms are weak and I can still get the western up. My guy is about 15’3 and I’m 5’3" .

[jonem004]

I have a synthetic saddle, but it’s narrow for Jr and the trainer thought some weight would help sack him out. This horse has a wide back and while I’m happy to take this trainers advice (he’s really given me a language in common with this horse) I’d prefer not to buy anything that I could borrow for this phase.

Also, it turns out y’all have some good saddle swinging tactics. I’m pretty sure the be-silvered western pleasure saddle I’m borrowing isn’t actually 50lbs, but it felt really heavy carrying it around! Once I hooked the stirrup on the horn and picked it up WITHOUT the saddle pad (that’s it’s own ball of wax) it was less horrible. I am actually able to swing it up pretty easily with the techniques I learned here! So thanks COTH for coming through for me again! Y’all are the best.

[Lokinator]

I find husbands very helpful when it comes to tacking up western! :winkgrin:

Might have to try some of these other methods for when he isn’t around.