Question about old (possibly antique) English jumping saddle

[mallorywilson87]

My family recently found an old, maybe antique, English jumping saddle. It is by a company called John E. Butler, Ltd. out of Walsall, England. Does anybody know anything about this brand? I cannot find much online, other than it appears to be a company that was started in England in the late 1800’s by two brothers. It then appears as though the brothers split. One brother went to Australia and John E. Butler went to New Zealand.

I assume the saddle is old based on its style. I attempted to ride in it, but it does not fit me at all, and it is not a great fit for my horse. The leather is still in decent shape, although there are some nicks and marks on it. I do not have room to keep a saddle I cannot use, so I am hoping to find any information about the brand to help me determine whether I can sell the saddle or whether I should just scrap it. Thanks for any input!

[mrs_beasley]

Post a photo here and also I suggest posting it on the Side-saddle groups on Facebook. Those ladies are expert historians and will probably have some insight even though it is not a side-saddle.

[mallorywilson87]

Thank you for the information. Attached are 3 pictures. I can take more if needed. I have also asked to join a few side saddle groups on facebook.

[mallorywilson87]

Sorry. The other 2 pictures did not attach.

[merrygoround]

It looks not dissimilar to a saddle which I believe is still in use. That saddle purchased by a friend’s husband in the early 1960’s was a Gibson All Purpose, purchased from Col. Gibson himself, in Newmarket.

The leather is still wonderful.

[mallorywilson87]

Thanks for your input! Any ideas what I can do with my newly-inherited saddle?

[ladyj79]

Turn it into a barstool.

[merrygoround]

I’d clean it gently and oil it with something like Hydrophane. I would then check with someone such a the Middleburg Tack Exchange, and see if they have interest in selling it.
They have a clientele of dyed in the wool fox hunters.

[Rackonteur]

What merrygoround said. That is a lovely saddle! It reminds me of the ones I learned on. I’d soap it and then oil it with neatsfoot oil or Lederbalsam.

Good luck with it!

[ClaireBear_NZ]

John E Butler saddles still appear in NZ quite frequently and are typically still being used although sell in the sub $200 (NZD) price bracket.

[merrygoround]

@ladyj79

Turn it into a barstool.

Take the comment from whence it cometh.

[JustTheTicket]

@ladyj79

Turn it into a barstool.

I found a nice cutback saddleseat saddle in an antique store a while back, and this is what I did. Its still a nice enough saddle, but there’s a cut in one of the flaps and it wasn’t worth to try to fix it and sell it, so I bought a stool to use as a saddle stand and I just made it into basically a barstool. If your house has an equine décor theme, then it might be a fun addition. If not, I bet you could find someone who either wants to ride in that or that wants it as decoration.