Saddles in Motion

Custom 30x30 🖤

All merino pulled wool pad. Ruby, black and white

A great graphic of what pictures I’m looking for when your tree comes in.

Several companies will send out their trees for you to try. Some companies put your name on it so you know that’s your exact tree going into your saddle.

Bare tree fitting is the first step for fitters and makers. But understanding how the skirts will affect fit as well as what the back does while moving is what brings the perfect fit together.

Had a few inquiries on how the “marble” wool would look on a pad. I whipped up a mini test pad so I had an example.

It looks like marble cake 🖤

Another beautiful pulled wool pad. I’ve got a second and third one in the works this one was so loved. 🖤

Thank you!

One picture was inside because everything is wet and it’s raining but was able to capture the teal outside.

One of the guiding principles behind my work is simple:

The horse is the baseline.

Before I evaluate a saddle, I evaluate the horse.

Before I assume saddle fit is the problem, I gather information.

Because horses don't read textbooks.

They don't care what brand name is stamped on a saddle.

They don't care about trends.

They simply tell us what works—and what doesn't—through their movement, posture, and behavior.

That's why every fitting begins with the horse.

Not the saddle.

Not the rider.

The horse.

When we start there, we often learn far more than we expected.

🐴 What is one thing your horse has taught you recently? (It doesn't have to be related to saddle fit)

Underside of the 1920s saddle.

Interesting feature I found was how the fenders were run through the rigging.

Does anyone know why this would be or if this was an oops?

I know the answer and will reveal later.

This amazing wool blend came in. Anyone want pulled wool pad with this combo?

It’s so pretty! I can’t wait to see how it looks finished up.

Last time I posted a saddle before and after cleaning someone inquired why the saddle was lighter after being cleaned.

This is a 1920s-1930s George Lawrence saddle. Comparable to a hamley back in the day.

I’ll be restoring it by replacing the dry rotted strings and the fleece but otherwise this is an amazing well made saddle with a solid tree.

But back to why they get lighter. This is only the first scrub. I wanted to see what I was working with under there. Years and years of sweat dirt oil and grease have made this saddle darker. Scrubbing it takes all that off back to the original color.

A lot of people oil their saddles without cleaning first locking in more dirt and grime. Please don’t do this. A good scrub brush, blue dawn dish soap (one to two drops) clean water and some elbow grease cleans them up nicely.

I’ll be showing off some of the neat features of this saddle as I tear it down to restore it. But wanted to show how much just a basic scrub can change the look of a saddle