Neglect. When I was working, I faithfully cleaned and oiled my saddle at least once a year, and twice when we lived in the desert. As the first few pictures illustrate, you can argue about how hard I worked, but you can't say my horses didn't work. I want this saddle to be cherished by someone in my family for years after I'm gone, I spent many hours and days in it.

I should add, I'm in good health and could well be around for many years, but I think about things like this more often now. I may throw a leg over a horse on some trail ride if the country is new and unique to me, but I may never again throw my own saddle on a horse again and it makes me pretty melancholy.



You see the salts all over the saddle; that's the neglect I spoke of.



I can't explain all the salts from sweat. I don't know how it could have traveled through the layers necessary to get to the front jockey.



or the rear



The fenders are easily explainable, they were often wet from sweat.



Quick story. That's a Blevins Buckle (or at least half of one, the other half is attached to the end of the stirrup leathers.

They are only made in Wheatland, Wyoming and were invented by a man who, during WWII, was part of the group who rode horseback up and down the Eastern coast watching for enemy ships coming into American waters. It was time consuming to have to unlace the stirrup adjustments each time a new rider with different length legs had to take his watch.



Clean



and oiled.

Hope you enjoyed this little photo essay. This saddle was custom made for me in Wickenburg, Arizona. It's 40 years old now. It cost me $1,000 to build and I traded in a used N. Porter saddle on it that I never liked for $400 credit. Fifteen or more years ago I was kinda craving a new saddle. I had seen so many nice ones built on the 3B Wade tree that I admired (mine's built on a Weatherly). At that time the ones I specced out were running $3,500 or better. I decided I still liked my saddle. How much more to build a comparable one now? $5,000? More? I guess I don't know.

How do you know that's salt? You licked it, didn't you?

My Mom's side of the family (5+ generations) are all from Wheatland and the surrounding area. I've never seen Wheatland mentioned anywhere before :-)

That's pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing the story and pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
My Mom's side of the family (5+ generations) are all from Wheatland and the surrounding area. I've never seen Wheatland mentioned anywhere before :-)

We hear Wheatland mentioned often in reports of I-25 closures this time of year, for high profile vehicles. You don’t want to be a trucker with a load of sailboat fuel driving with wind gusts up to 65-70 mph.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
This saddle was custom made for me in Wickenburg, Arizona. It's 40 years old now.

It is a beautiful example of very nicely tooled leather work. Did Bruce Meier make that for you?

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
This saddle was custom made for me in Wickenburg, Arizona. It's 40 years old now.

It is a beautiful example of very nicely tooled leather work. Did Bruce Meier make that for you?

No, 40 years ago Ben and Claudia Billingslea owned Ben’s Saddlery, Bruce worked there and learned the trade before he took over the business. My saddle was built by George Martin, who had a saddle shop not far away, maybe across the street from the Saguaro Theater.

Bruce and I remain friends, although I don’t get down that way much, the last time was about 2014. He made the Arizona-style breast collar you see draped over the saddle in the last picture. George moved to Battle Mountain, Nevada (I believe) about a year after building my saddle. George began building custom boots too, and I know for a fact that he taught his daughter, Kelly. She’s a bootmaker over in Benson, Arizona.

ETA: Little Wickenburg history, Henry. Before the Billingsleas owned Ben’s Saddlery, it was Ray Bybee Saddlery. That location has been a saddle shop for a long time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TMats,

I only have 1 question. How do you get the horse out of the basement???”

That is a pretty saddle and I totally get the urge to preserve, care for and pass on.

Take care, shoot safe.
Chris

Great photos---I can smell this!

quote:

Originally posted by photohause:
Great photos---I can smell this!

Ha ha. Feibing’s Saddle Soap, now in a convenient spray bottle, as well as the original paste in a can. “Pure” Neatsfoot Oil—never neatsfoot oil compound. It is a glorious smell (in combination with with the smell of horses) right up there with Hoppe’s #9

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
How do you know that's salt? You licked it, didn't you?

Who wouldn't?

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
ETA: Little Wickenburg history, Henry. Before the Billingsleas owned Ben’s Saddlery, it was Ray Bybee Saddlery. That location has been a saddle shop for a long time.

Yep, I've chatted enough with Bruce to have got the whole "Ben's" history. You might remember Karen L. who apprenticed with Bruce for 14 years, including the 1990s. She's a good friend of mine, and she finally broke away from Bruce to open her own custom saddle shop, called Riata. It's located in the U-shaped shopping area just west of the old theater, behind the restaurant. With all the team ropers invading every winter, we now have a couple more saddle shops as well, but Ben's is still the classic. In case he hasn't told you yet, Bruce is looking to sell Ben's and retire.

Thanks for the photos and education. What a beautiful piece of leather and craftsmanship.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
during WWII, was part of the group who rode horseback up and down the Eastern coast watching for enemy ships coming into American waters

Coast Guard Mounted Beach Patrol

http://horseconnection.com/wp-..._Coastal_spreads.pdf

I like buying something, using it for all its worth, and still having a lot of miles in it.