A look at some of the most horrible examples of horse equipment on the market today.
Please remember, this blog is simply MY opinions. Everyone has some and like armpits, some stink! It is all subjective anyway. I am not telling anyone what to use at all. I am just making observations and stating my own likes and dislikes. If you do not agree, fine, you are entitled. THERE IS NO ONE RIGHT WAY.
Please, read and enjoy and try not to be ugly to others. Everyone has a right to their opinions.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Red, White and Bleh
I have nothing against being patriotic, but this thing is just fugly.
In defense of this particular saddle, I actually owned one for quite a while and loved it. It was comfy to ride in, my daughter gamed in it on my black breeding stock Paint mare with matching pad, bridle, breatscollar and leg gear, and I even trail rode in it. Everyone always commented on how "cool" it looked. It was originially purchased for carrying the flag during parades and rodeos/horseshows and was used for that many times. I guess what made it special to me was that it had been ordered, and when I went to pick it up at the tack shop it was September 11, 2001. I lived on a Navy base at the time and so because of the heightened security that day they did a complete search of my truck while going through the gate. The guy doing the search (he was a horseperson too) pulled the saddle out and held it up for all the other guards to see, commenting on how fitting it was for the day. After years of use, it finally ended up sitting in it's saddle carrier bag collecting dust so last fall I sold it (and matching tack) on consignment at the same tack shop I bought it at. It really did look great on my black mare. Unfortunately, the seat faded in the sun a bit, and I had to occationally touch up the white leather and red leather with leather paint to keep it looking nice.
It's good to hear about a fugly saddle that actually worked well. I can see it as a parade saddle just fine on a white/grey or black hores. Carrying the flag and the rider dressed up, the saddle would be OK in the ensemble. And I love patriotic displays - July 4 is my favorite holiday (along with Halloween.) As an everyday saddle - no way. Too hard to keep clean.
They do look better in person, in my opinion, but, yes it was hard to keep clean. The whole get-up looked pretty good on my chestnut AQHA gelding too and it was light as a feather! The horn, swells, and jockeys were leather (red horn, white other) that I wiped clean with a damp cloth after each use. A small amount of Leather New sprayed on a cloth then wiped over it helped, but too much leather cleaner would discolor the white. I used red leather paint on the horn, blue on the leather conchos and white shoe polish for tennis shoes on the white leather as the white leather paint seemed to want to flake. The rest was red or blue synthetic material...that just wiped clean with a damp cloth. The seat was blue suede and so coloring it was about impossible. Never had a problem with any of it discoloring my jeans though...and my daughter gamed in white jeans! It was very time consuming for maintenance, but worth it for parades and stuff like that. That's why it was constantly kept in a saddle carry bag.
I agree awesome story...I can see the saddle being used for patriotic displays like parades and opening ceremonies at the rodeo but for every day use...uh uh.
In barrelsaddle's case, I can see that being appropriate. For other occasions, to each their own.
This particular saddle doesn't look like there's much to it. Especially in the seat area. You know, to keep you off the horses spine. If so, great. If not, that's what I have a problem with.
I wouldn't mind if someone burned THAT! It is anti-patriotic and a disgrace to U.S. colors!
ReplyDeleteIn defense of this particular saddle, I actually owned one for quite a while and loved it. It was comfy to ride in, my daughter gamed in it on my black breeding stock Paint mare with matching pad, bridle, breatscollar and leg gear, and I even trail rode in it. Everyone always commented on how "cool" it looked. It was originially purchased for carrying the flag during parades and rodeos/horseshows and was used for that many times. I guess what made it special to me was that it had been ordered, and when I went to pick it up at the tack shop it was September 11, 2001. I lived on a Navy base at the time and so because of the heightened security that day they did a complete search of my truck while going through the gate. The guy doing the search (he was a horseperson too) pulled the saddle out and held it up for all the other guards to see, commenting on how fitting it was for the day. After years of use, it finally ended up sitting in it's saddle carrier bag collecting dust so last fall I sold it (and matching tack) on consignment at the same tack shop I bought it at. It really did look great on my black mare. Unfortunately, the seat faded in the sun a bit, and I had to occationally touch up the white leather and red leather with leather paint to keep it looking nice.
ReplyDeleteBarrelsaddle----That is an AWESOME story! I guess I'd have to see it in "real" life.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear about a fugly saddle that actually worked well. I can see it as a parade saddle just fine on a white/grey or black hores. Carrying the flag and the rider dressed up, the saddle would be OK in the ensemble. And I love patriotic displays - July 4 is my favorite holiday (along with Halloween.) As an everyday saddle - no way. Too hard to keep clean.
ReplyDeleteThey do look better in person, in my opinion, but, yes it was hard to keep clean. The whole get-up looked pretty good on my chestnut AQHA gelding too and it was light as a feather! The horn, swells, and jockeys were leather (red horn, white other) that I wiped clean with a damp cloth after each use. A small amount of Leather New sprayed on a cloth then wiped over it helped, but too much leather cleaner would discolor the white. I used red leather paint on the horn, blue on the leather conchos and white shoe polish for tennis shoes on the white leather as the white leather paint seemed to want to flake. The rest was red or blue synthetic material...that just wiped clean with a damp cloth. The seat was blue suede and so coloring it was about impossible. Never had a problem with any of it discoloring my jeans though...and my daughter gamed in white jeans! It was very time consuming for maintenance, but worth it for parades and stuff like that. That's why it was constantly kept in a saddle carry bag.
ReplyDeleteI agree awesome story...I can see the saddle being used for patriotic displays like parades and opening ceremonies at the rodeo but for every day use...uh uh.
ReplyDeleteIn barrelsaddle's case, I can see that being appropriate. For other occasions, to each their own.
ReplyDeleteThis particular saddle doesn't look like there's much to it. Especially in the seat area. You know, to keep you off the horses spine. If so, great. If not, that's what I have a problem with.
Looks like a drill team kind of thing.... not my style. I'm such a brown leather person....
ReplyDeleteBarrellsaddle, that is a great story, though.
Very glad this saddle doesn't have a flag where you can sit on it.
See, bleeding heart peacenik liberals can be patriotic tooooo!!!!!!!!!!