My whole life riding english, I’ve had to ride with one stirrup longer than the other in order to be comfortable in the saddle. Now that I’m getting older, I realize it was because there’s some biomechanical hip stuff going on - it used to be it was just a “feeling” that I was off kilter, but now that I’ve got pain issues and x-rays and MRI to show me what’s going on, it makes sense.
Of course riding a half-hole longer on one side is easy with english stirrup leathers, but how in the heck am I supposed to do that in a western saddle? My comfort and ability to ride depend on it!
You lower one side one hole, or raise the other one hole?
Or half a hole, whatever works best for you?
Western saddle fenders can be adjusted just like English ones.
Some western fenders have lacing, some Blevins buckles, some two hole ones, some one hole ones, all adjustable.
Bluey, I think the issue for the OP is that one hole down is too much - she needs a slight variance from the pre-drilled holes? I’m just speculating.
OP - you can make half holes yourself - I use a drill (like an actual drill that is made to drill holes in the wall - I use a bit that’s the right size for the hole I need.)
Just make your holes in between where your too long/too short pre-existing holes are located.
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/poly-mallets
These are a waste of money:
https://www.amazon.ca/Ohuhu-Heavy-Leather-Round-Puncher/dp/B00P61YA18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467137101&sr=8-1&keywords=leather+hole+punch+set
[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8724585]
Bluey, I think the issue for the OP is that one hole down is too much - she needs a slight variance from the pre-drilled holes? I’m just speculating.
OP - you can make half holes yourself - I use a drill (like an actual drill that is made to drill holes in the wall - I use a bit that’s the right size for the hole I need.)
Just make your holes in between where your too long/too short pre-existing holes are located.[/QUOTE]
Yes, that’s correct. I need “half holes” and don’t know if that’s a no-no for fenders (in terms of maintaining structural integrity).
Almost all of my ancient saddles that I still use have half-holes.
If it is on the left side, your saddle may have been used to mount from the ground quite a bit, and the whole fender may have stretched over time.
[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8724800]
Yes, that’s correct. I need “half holes” and don’t know if that’s a no-no for fenders (in terms of maintaining structural integrity).[/QUOTE]
The holes in western stirrup leathers are pretty far apart; just be sure your new holes are exactly half way between the original ones (measure and mark them - no eyeballing!) and you should be fine.
You can add holes, just measure carefully. On many of the newer reining and other saddles you’ll see many more holes for precise adjustment.
[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8724800]
Yes, that’s correct. I need “half holes” and don’t know if that’s a no-no for fenders (in terms of maintaining structural integrity).[/QUOTE]
Done that with every saddle I own.
Ok, well that makes me feel better. My trainer is actually a saddle maker, too, so maybe he could help me punch some half holes. Thanks!
