New custom saddle

[FfionWinnie]

I'm having a new saddle made for one of my horses. I already have a saddle the same make, but the two horses who shared it have now changed too much to be able to share. Plus I really need one each.

So, I have always always wanted one of these, but they won't fit my type of horse, however I want to find out if I can get this leather, is it calf skin? How is the greasy effect achieved and will it be as hard wearing as a normal leather saddle? I will be using the saddle daily so don't want to pay extra for something that won't be up to it. But I would love one like this and Santa is bringing it so you never know eh! 😍

 

[spacefaer]

Yes, it's calf skin and no it's not as hard wearing. You need to keep it conditioned/moisturised with a leather conditioner (I used the Amerigo beeswax balsalm on my Devoucoux, which has the added benefit of smelling delicious!)

Try not to get it wet, and I know the Devoucoux warranty was invalidated if you ever ever rode in jeans/half chaps - had to be breeches/long boots.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Oh heck I ride in ariat half chaps and in the rain. Maybe I better not then

 

[LeannePip]

FW - Where/ who do you get your saddles made by? Nobody in my area seems to make them, they all just sell m2m from the big brands?

 

[FfionWinnie]

FW - Where/ who do you get your saddles made by? Nobody in my area seems to make them, they all just sell m2m from the big brands?

A specialist native saddle fitter. . Very happy with the one I have, ridden in it at least once a day for a year.

 

[JFTDWS]

My new one is calf skin... I should have it by the end of the week

 

[sbloom]

If you'd like hard wearing and grippy I'd recommend memel or vintage pig print - the calf skin is an entirely different way of making a saddle as it has to be a two layer structure, the calf wraps over a stiffer piece of leather and is stitched around. We have made one or two so can do it, but it's more expensive than the aforementioned options .

 

[Goldenstar]

I have three calf saddles I clean them using a cream and they are doing well standing up to a lot of work they are ageing better than I thought they would .

 

[9tails]

What is that saddle, FW? It's real purty.

 

[georgiegirl]

I bought one of these at the beginning of the year made to template....

http://www.idealsaddle.com/catalogue/view/12/walsall-riding-saddles#ad-image-0

These are calfskin and beautiful to ride in and pretty exceptional value for money for a m2m saddle of this type. I have ridden in mine in the rain etc and its wearing beautifully, although as someone has said above, it only gets ridden in with proper breeches etc - in fact its looking better now it has that 'worn in' look. Im saving up for the dressage version of it!

 

[FfionWinnie]

My new one is calf skin... I should have it by the end of the week

Oh god send me a pic!

If you'd like hard wearing and grippy I'd recommend memel or vintage pig print - the calf skin is an entirely different way of making a saddle as it has to be a two layer structure, the calf wraps over a stiffer piece of leather and is stitched around. We have made one or two so can do it, but it's more expensive than the aforementioned options .

That's handy to know as I haven't asked Andrea yet . I've got one in the normal leather. I don't like vintage but I've been lusting after calf skin for years.

Goldenstar do you wear jeans and half chaps (somehow I doubt it!!!) and how long have you had your saddles?

9tails that saddle is a devoucoux which wouldn't be any good for my cobs but I want one that looks like that without the blue bits lol

 

[FfionWinnie]

I bought one of these at the beginning of the year made to template....

http://www.idealsaddle.com/catalogue/view/12/walsall-riding-saddles#ad-image-0

These are calfskin and beautiful to ride in and pretty exceptional value for money for a m2m saddle of this type. I have ridden in mine in the rain etc and its wearing beautifully, although as someone has said above, it only gets ridden in with proper breeches etc - in fact its looking better now it has that 'worn in' look. Im saving up for the dressage version of it!

Lovely looking saddle. I'm happy with my current saddle shape and fit, so I'm sticking with the same make just maybe going to bling it up a little

When you say proper breeches what to you mean? I don't wear denim only cotton jodhpurs but I do wear ariat half chaps. And it will be used every single day (I do use a waterproof saddle cover if it's raining but maybe it won't like that either!).

 

[georgiegirl]

I was in a similar boat to you that the likes of devoucoux and similar were never going to fit my chunk ISH who has big shoulder movement hence going for this one on a wool panel - the flaps on the side are very flexible to allow for big movement without pushing the saddle back - particularly when jumping which is what we were struggling with with other saddles.

Just normal breeches but definately no jeans or breeches with studs/sticky out pockets on the back

I've not bothered with a waterproof saddle cover - it does get cleaned/conditioned every time it gets rained on though

 

[FfionWinnie]

That's great thanks. My 3 pairs of aldi specials should be fine then

I've already got a saddle that fits so definitely going for the same make - I've got two horses wearing the same saddle, it fits them and most importantly can accommodate my very long thighs (I am 5ft8 and my horse is actually a pony if we get into the nitty gritty, at 14.1!).

We ride in all weathers and live in Scotland but I've just seen the Rambo mack in a sack and reckon that would solve that problem nicely!

 

[sbloom]

The calf is nice, have you seen a photo?

 

[JFTDWS]

I use a cheapo waterproof cover when I'm hacking and it's grim. Not that I care much about my current saddles. The new one, if it lives up to expectations, may get a fleece ride on cover under the waterproof one

 

[FfionWinnie]

The calf is nice, have you seen a photo?

No not yet.

I use a cheapo waterproof cover when I'm hacking and it's grim. Not that I care much about my current saddles. The new one, if it lives up to expectations, may get a fleece ride on cover under the waterproof one

I've ordered a Rambo mack. Bit annoying it's going to make my very visible horse pretty invisible but apparently you can't have it all!

 

[Tiddlypom]

What is it about the calf skin finish that is so desirable that makes it worth considering over other, more conventional and more hard wearing finishes?

 

[FfionWinnie]

What is it about the calf skin finish that is so desirable that makes it worth considering over other, more conventional and more hard wearing finishes?

It looks gorgeous . My horse is gorgeous and we deserve it?


That's not a good enough reason is it.



Quick someone give me a good enough reason!

 

[JFTDWS]

It looks gorgeous . My horse is gorgeous and we deserve it?


That's not a good enough reason is it.



Quick someone give me a good enough reason!

Good enough for me!

 

[Tiddlypom]

It looks gorgeous . My horse is gorgeous and we deserve it?

I'm a Daisy fan, and I agree that she is gorgeous!

Not convinced about the calf skin, though..

ETA Is the calf skin for your palomino? She may well be gorgeous too but I like a workmanlike finish over a fancy but vulnerable one..

 

[meesha]

I have Memel on my saddle, lovely and supple and v hard wearing !

 

[FfionWinnie]

I'm a Daisy fan, and I agree that she is gorgeous!

Not convinced about the calf skin, though..

ETA Is the calf skin for your palomino? She may well be gorgeous too but I like a workmanlike finish over a fancy but vulnerable one..

Well my cunning plan is that the palo gets the current one and Daisy gets the new one. If that's not possible, I've if the palo is too fat for the current one to be adjusted for her now, and she has to get the new one, then she will be getting workman like as she's an idiot and does not deserve calf skin lol.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Good enough for me!

And you did agree with me I should just buy Daisy and hang any risk of buying unseen, so you've got points there

 

[FfionWinnie]

I have Memel on my saddle, lovely and supple and v hard wearing !

What's that?

 

[meesha]

Sbloom will be able to describe it better but its soft, supple but hardwearing, its not over whole saddle I don't think

 

[JFTDWS]

And you did agree with me I should just buy Daisy and hang any risk of buying unseen, so you've got points there

And I was right about the motorbike too (not that you needed any telling there!). I'm always right.

(Although good lord I hope my calf skin beastie fits!)

 

[sbloom]

Memel is a similar quality to the vintage - soft, hardwearing and weatherproof, grippy - but has a very small pebbled texture, it's on most of our dressage saddles if you look at photos of them. Like vintage pig print it is flaps and skirts only, there are always two types of leather on all saddles, the seat and knees always have thinner leathers so can't be the same, unless of course the whole saddle is calf wrapped .

 

[FfionWinnie]

Thanks Sbloom

Had the saddle fitter out today and the girls have absolutely done my bidding as the D has grown into the current saddle "like it was made for her" and we've chucked the rear riser now she has muscled up so well.

This means the most worshipped cob in the land gets the new blingy one which is going to be calfskin and I won't use it in the rain

Saddle fitter said to me why is she so special to you lol er well cos she is!

"Because I'm worth it"

 

[JFTDWS]

Welcome to Club Calfskin, Daisy!