Written by Chuck Stormes This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.13 Many of the nineteenth and early twentieth century saddleries were large firms doing much of their business by mail order. Depending on their market share, they employed from twenty to two hundred workers, including harness makers, strapworkers, saddlemakers and flower stampers. The […]
Written by Chuck Stormes There are three elements of a saddle that are of primary importance: the tree, the seat and the rigging. If all three are properly designed and constructed, the result is a good, useful saddle, regardless of style and aesthetics. If any one of these is wrong, or poorly done, the saddle […]
Written by Cary Schwarz Better horsemanship begins with paying careful attention to details. One of those details that figure into the larger picture is adequate care and maintenance of the one thing you use every time you swing a leg over your horse: your saddle. The quality of care you give your saddle should match […]
Written by Chuck Stormes This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.5 The Vaquero’s horse with characteristic headset rolling the cricket of a silver-mounted bit suggests the essence of California horsemanship. Unlike the Arabic ring bit, which most historians agree was introduced to North Africa and Spain with the spread of Islam in the […]