That is horrendous. Gad what is the world coming to? Why should any decent saddlery have that weird logo stuck on a privately purchased saddle, glaring out at people like oil stickers on a stock car.
It is wrong to inflict grotesque advertisements onto your customers. Taking liberties when they should know better. :no:
The owner of the saddle is named on the plate.
I was tickled pink when I had my first one. Eons ago. Back when saddlers had good taste. I’m terribly sorry for the “rant”. I’ve had a cognac now and have recovered my usual good humor.
I have two Sommers, and they both have huge maker’s plates which I hate. They take up the entire back of the cantle. The older one’s plate is a silver background with black letters and very noticeable, but the newer one tones it down by having a black background with silver lettering.
Umm…how does one keep leather care products from ‘gumming up’ in those Swanky monograms? Or is that what grooms are for?
My Stubben rep offered the nameplate for free. I was hesitant because it seems like bad luck to semi-permanently affix your name/initials to something as ephemeral as a saddle. But it does look nice. I’ve had the saddle for about 6 months and the rep is coming out soon to adjust it because mare’s back has changed pretty drastically (she’s turning 6). I guess I’m about to find out if it really was bad luck!
:grief: Where were those Swanky plates wayback when I got my oh-so-plain-vanilla (brass) teeny rectangle for my saddle?
Just my name in block script 
Screwed into the tree to identify in a tackroom and/or prevent theft.
Almost 30yrs later it’s still there, although saddle is no longer in use.
I might have to order a monogram one for my 10yo Stubben that came with a very discreet antiqued silver oval (their name, not mine).
“Jewelry for your saddle” 
Considering I wear next-to-none the tack may as well get some bling.
Now where on a harness can I put one… :rolleyes:
Stubben Rep did not offer, nor did I ask for a nameplate since horses live at home, so no problem determining which saddle is mine.
Stubben did send me gratis about $50 worth of leather care stuff.
Agree, the Butet billboard is icky :disgust:
Toothbrush & elbow grease 
To quote The Duke: I wouldn’t!!!
Having a name plate on a saddle is probably not a bad idea but I’m not into “garish” and I’d make it small, visible, but unobtrusive. And nothing that would ever need a toothbrush and elbow grease!!! Cleaning and conditioning in a hot climate is quite sufficient, thank you very much!!!
G.
@Guilherme :lol:
Just telling HOW, not that I actually do it.
Which makes me rethink the curlique Swanky monogram plate… :uhoh:
Yes, but if I may add to the rant (with an observation which may be unfounded…all the better for a rant):
I ordered a swirly tag from them, as well as a belt buckle and both felt very cheap. I think their filigree monogram plates are a lovely idea. But I’d want to see someone else’s in person before I shelled out.
FWIW, I think all of those nameplates-- Butet, Pessoa, Stubben— are a fubar idea because it’s impractical to think that you are going to be able to get the plate removed, engraved with your name and put back on.
Not interested in having a saddle I paid for with the manufacture’s name on the name plate. Defeats the purpose, yo. Just how stupid do those guys think we are?
Yeah it’s ugly. And now do you need to buy a new ugly one for your own name? And if you replace it with a normal name plate and try to sell it, the buyer might say is that really a butet? Where is the logo?
I’m undecided on the saddle name plate concept but I wouldnt want a saddle with some one else’s name on it, i’d remove. Am however considering a name plate for my new Walsh leather trailer halter, since that could walk away very easily. I do put a discrete bit of colored electrical tape or nail polish on all my gear that goes off property because I lend my trailer to my coach and we have duplicates of so many basics.
As far as the butet logo, asymmetrical around horses just makes my skin itch 
The problem is it is so obvious when they are removed! Those screw holes practically jump out at you!
While currently searching for a high end used saddle, I prefer ones that never had plates. I guess that will be a moot point once saddle makers start to doing it automatically.
I bought my saddle new directly from Stubben during one of their sales, so it has the big Stubben plate… with a blank spot where my name should be. I asked if I could send it in to them to have my name put on, or pay for one to be sent with my name, but the plates are done in Europe so that was a no-go. I’m too lazy to take it to a random engraver OR to figure out another plate size that’ll cover the holes, so I’m just on year three of the blank plate. I’m sure there are people at the barn who think my last name is Stubben!
The butet logo makes the plate asymmetrical, which is really irritating. Everything should be symmetrical from the back
I bought a cheap old Crosby on ebay to replace my favorite “fits everyone and not too valuable if a greenie hurts it” saddle. It came with a nameplate that says “YODER”. I left it there and it makes me laugh. It is now the saddle’s name.
I just got a new custom Jeffries saddle that came with a blank nameplate already attached. It’s a standard small one with no logos, but I don’t really want it engraved, but can’t remove it at this point because it would leave holes. I think it looks pretty funny to be on there and so plain. I’m not sure what to do about it.
I’m kind of offended by the asymmetry of that Butet plate, but the Pessoa logo on the back of my pony saddle never particularly bothered me.
Glad everyone recognizes the extreme level of seriousness this topic deserves ! LOL
I was all cool ignoring the Swanky plates til I saw the diamond monogram one, and would be at risk of getting one if not for the locations of the holes. Forgot my butter knife yesterday but looked at the nail placement when I was cleaning the saddle and am pretty sure that a rectangular plate using the farthest two holes will be centered, and the middle hole will be covered. The wonky round part may leave a mark, but worst case I have to get a Butet plate for it.
Hmm, Mango, you could always write something on the blank plate with a sharpie. That’s what I did with a brass stall plate after I sold the horse engraved on it. Flipped it and wrote the new horse’s name in sharpie. Then erased it and wrote the next new horse on it. I’m all class like that.
Good idea with the sharpie! I had a pony club mom suggest “we should get a label maker” (since every single thing needs to be labeled in pony club). I said “we already have a label maker - a sharpie”.
WHAT!!!
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