Western Sidesaddle?

[CHT]

Rugbygirl put the idea in my head of trying western side saddle due to my changing physical limitations.

I am trying to get more information on sizing at such. The websites seem to cater more to English side saddle, and then say most riders want a smaller seat in western…is that true?

And what about the trees? If she goes in a full QH bars western saddle, is it the same/that simple for a western side saddle?

I had kind of thought of getting an entry level western side saddle to try it out…but not sure they exist in full QH bars.

Any advice or information would be appreciated!

[Kerrysmom818]

Check out Hundred Oaks - the Steele sidesaddles are to die for. Don’t settle for a cheap entry level - you’ll regret it! See if you can find a nice used Steele - so worth it (ask me how I know!!)

http://www.hundredoaksinc.com/western_sidesaddles_for_sale

[CHT]

yeah, I was kind of looking at the Used western Steele. Looks pretty basic, but I figure if I show, how much of the saddle can actually be seen? (I would want to show in a historical costume…). My horse is an Arabian (wide with low withers) so this sounds like the right tree for her…but not sure if a 22" will work for me. When I do the measurement of my leg & “seat” I come to 20.5".

[aktill]

Help with trees?
http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/index.php/pictures-of-trees/side-saddle-trees/

[cowgirljenn]

Go to Hundred Oaks. Marti will help you find the right western SS - I’m hoping one day to get one of the Steeles myself!

[horsegal301]

I would go with a Steele. Steer far away from Hilasons… and probably most other blingy western saddles as they’re either created on an astride tree, or if actually created on an aside tree, they’re just not built for someone to effectively ride aside in it!

[aktill]

Here’s a nice one:
http://tcowboyarts.org/wp-content/gallery/okc-2007/okc2011_325.jpg
http://tcowboyarts.org/wp-content/gallery/okc-2007/okc2011_342.jpg

[CHT]

Thanks for the link on trees Aktill! I wonder if I could contact him to see who buys his trees locally? I did find out there is one sidesaddle maker that is fairly local, so may try to find out what they charge.

I really like the look of the one linked to above…I like the pretty tooling. Not sure the point of the silver though…wouldn’t the sidesaddle outfit cover most of it? Or is that more a display saddle?

[aktill]

Yep, Rod should be able to point you at whomever uses those trees.
Here are some more links:
http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=15736
http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/index.php/tree-and-saddle-fitting/measuring-the-rider-for-a-side-saddle-tree/
http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/index.php/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/side-saddle-design/

As to the other one, at over $40,000, I’m guessing it’s largely a display piece

[CHT]

I found some of those pages last night! His blog on learning how to make a western side saddle tree was so interesting, and really opened my eyes to how complicated and precise the sidesaddle needs to be fitted for the rider to help keep everything balanced and comfortable. The measuring the rider page was much more detailed than most of the other sites.

I am thinking I need to start saving up!

I did find an old “Sears” western side saddle for sale, and a Goodnight…any idea if those would be good starter saddles?

[ThreeFigs]

There’s a good guide to buying side saddles on eBay. it’s worth reading. It also says nix to the Hilason saddles. Steeles are well regarded.

The Sears would (naturally!) be a catalog saddle – anybody’s guess if it would fit you and your horse. I think Goodnight himself came up with the Goodnight side saddle design for his wife. Keep in mind horses in the old days were narrower than today’s horses.

Always have the rigging checked on those old saddles.