Anyone a saddler?

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springer1021

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I've just had the girth straps replaced on my Wintec by a Master Saddler.

The saddle is brown so I presumed he'd use a brown leather but the leather he has used is very light blue/grey, the straps stick out from the bottom of the saddle and also the leather is very thick.

I didn't like to question him as I'm not a confrontational kind but does this sound like it has been done properly?
 
Everyone calls themselves a Master Saddler, and very few are. What they mean by that is that they're members of the Master Saddlers Association, and it's open to anyone and it means nothing!!

Anyway, it sounds like the material used was chrome leather, which as a previously practicing saddler, I wouldn't have used, it tends to stretch like chewing gum, and it certainly, for a brown saddle shouldn't have been grey. Some new saddles are fitted with chrome straps, because even though it may stretch, it's very strong.

It could be stained to the right colour, but on chrome leather, the only dye which will work would be spirit stain and not water based stain.

Whether it's worth making a fuss about, is up to you, and with regular use of glycerine saddle soap, it should, given time, darken down.

Anothr idea might be, before you apply any dresing, is to go to your nearest tack shop and buy a bottle of Havanna coloured spirit stain. you wont want much, perhaps 50-100mil, and if they can't get it, head them towards Abbey Saddlery & Crafts, or even 'phone them yourself.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
Everyone calls themselves a Master Saddler, and very few are. What they mean by that is that they're members of the Master Saddlers Association, and it's open to anyone and it means nothing!!

Anyway, it sounds like the material used was chrome leather, which as a previously practicing saddler, I wouldn't have used, it tends to stretch like chewing gum, and it certainly, for a brown saddle shouldn't have been grey. Some new saddles are fitted with chrome straps, because even though it may stretch, it's very strong.

It could be stained to the right colour, but on chrome leather, the only dye which will work would be spirit stain and not water based stain.

Whether it's worth making a fuss about, is up to you, and with regular use of glycerine saddle soap, it should, given time, darken down.

Anothr idea might be, before you apply any dresing, is to go to your nearest tack shop and buy a bottle of Havanna coloured spirit stain. you wont want much, perhaps 50-100mil, and if they can't get it, head them towards Abbey Saddlery & Crafts, or even 'phone them yourself.

Alec.
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Thank you, I'll ring them myself and get some, my usual saddler is a travelling one and but couldn't come till middle of June:eek:, as long as the straps are strong that's the main thing. I'll try and trim them myself.
 
I convert dozens of wintecs every year from synthetic (Biothane) girth straps to leather for local riding schools mainly as the leather is far superior.
I use 45mm rawhide (about 5,000lbs per square inch breaking strain) with very little stretch and no the girth straps shouldn't show from under the flap on GP style saddles, they are too long if they do.
All leather will stretch in various amounts depending on type of leather and thickness and as Alec has pointed out, chrome will stretch !
You'll end up with dressage length girth straps if it's chrome!
And did you know that correctly fitted girth strps should be sewn on so the grain side of the leather (shiny side) is facing downwards towards the horse?
Not many are made like that today but it is how they are supposed to be made and if I got a pound every time I am asked why I am sewing on new girth straps "upside" down I'd be a rich man!
 
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cremedemonthe said:
I convert dozens of wintecs every year from synthetic (Biothane) girth straps to leather for local riding schools mainly as the leather is far superior.
I use 45mm rawhide (about 5,000lbs per square inch breaking strain) with very little stretch and no the girth straps shouldn't show from under the flap on GP style saddles, they are too long if they do.
All leather will stretch in various amounts depending on type of leather and thickness and as Alec has pointed out, chrome will stretch !
You'll end up with dressage length girth straps if it's chrome!
And did you know that correctly fitted girth strps should be sewn on so the grain side of the leather (shiny side) is facing downwards towards the horse?
Not many are made like that today but it is how they are supposed to be made and if I got a pound every time I am asked why I am sewing on new girth straps "upside" down I'd be a rich man!
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These are shiney side up:(

How can I tell if it is chrome leather - apart from ringing him and asking him?
 
If it's chrome it's almost indestructable but it will stretch and the holes punched in it for the buckle tongue on the girth buckles will elongate, eventually allowing the buckle tongue to slide out rendering it useless, this will be the determining factor in the life span of the strap rather than it breaking. Holes in girth straps as well as stirrup leathers should be oval not round, it helps make them last alot longer.
 
cremedemonthe said:
If it's chrome it's almost indestructable but it will stretch and the holes punched in it for the buckle tongue on the girth buckles will elongate, eventually allowing the buckle tongue to slide out rendering it useless, this will be the determining factor in the life span of the strap rather than it breaking. Holes in girth straps as well as stirrup leathers should be oval not round, it helps make them last alot longer.
Click to expand...

Thank you , guess what - they're round:D
 
springer1021 said:
Thank you , guess what - they're round:D
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lol, don't worry all massed produced saddlery now is made like that, we have come so far away from the traditional methods I was taught many years ago which is a shame, alot of manufacturers are not Saddlers unfortunately, I've even seen Roko buckles on the front straps of rugs and on headcollars sewn on back to front by a big name manufacturer!
 
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