new saddle

[aladatrot]

Here's the new saddle on the short eared mule. It rides nice and fits better than any other saddle I have ridden on him. Given his size, the saddle is all you see on him but it fits his back very well with no special padding. As he gets riding fit, he will fill out more in the shoulders and I may need to re evaluate my pads.

Been looking at pads, found one that I really liked, located a dealer 5 miles from me, and then found out that the pad is $200. Bummer. It's nothing special, just a plain contoured 100% wool felt with wear leathers either 7/8" or 1" thick. Guess I'm still looking. I don't mind spending good money on a good pad, but $200 is a little extreme even to me.

Cheers
M

[matt_aggie04]

Saddle looks nice, I assume you are happy with the way it rides.  It sure looks comfy, how do you like those bucking rolls?

[aladatrot]

LOVE them, but my colt won't buck so I can try them out. They don't get in the way like I thought they would. The saddle rides nice and balanced - more like an english saddle than a western one. I am having trouble dallying around the horn, but I'm pretty sure it is my lack of rope knowledge rather than the saddle.

Cheers
M

[matt_aggie04]

Is the rope wanting to come over the back of the horn?

[aladatrot]

Yep. I have to dally twice because one loop is coming off. Then I get tangled up.

Cheers
M

[craig]

i like the new saddle , looks real good.

get some one to turn those stirrup leathers for you and will make them ankles feal better..

try a softer rope , it might dally better for you..

[aladatrot]

Craig,

Thanks! I did turn the stirrups for a week on the saddle stand with a pvc pipe through them. I didn't wet them though, and I didn't hang anything from the pipe. Guess I need to do it right rather than halfass it.

On the rope, the one I'm using is so soft it won't hold shape. It is more like a cotton rope than the lariat it likely was ten years ago. I'm pretty sure the problem is me. I got so tangled up! When you are holding the rope in your hand with the tire hooked to the other end, do you go in front of the horn and wrap it counter clockwise? The other way I tried it was starting behind the horn and dallying clockwise. Either way I got tangled.

Cheers
M

[tobyb2007]

Try sticking a stick, pipe etc. through your stirrups and hanging it upside down by the stick, pipe etc.. It will work itself out eventually.
As far as dallying go in front of the horn and go counter clockwise (assuming you are right handed). Dally with your thumb up and try to get the first wrap as close to the bottom as possible.
Hope this helps

[craig]

Mandi
 you can twist the stirup leather its self and wrap it with a piece of lattigo, to help hold the stirup out for you.

i would also cut of that tail on your stirrup leathers,flush with the top of the stirrup once you have set your lenghth,  might keep your foot from hanging in the stirrup someday.