Thanks Ben, I met you in Sheridan this past May, as you were critiquing the geometric stamped saddle that took 1st place. The saddle I ride is a 50-year-old Juan Lara hand-made saddle from Santa Ynez Valley California. Now that I'm nearing 67 years of age, my knees take a beating when I ride multiple days in a row. Thanks for your tips, I've only ever done your process to one other client's saddle in the recent past. So, I'll give it a go on my own saddle. Thanks Partner.

I've looked at a few ways and this is the best I can see. Thanks! One lady suggested reversing just the blevins buckle by removing and reinstalling the rivets and all...

@epona9166

26 күн бұрын

Yes I was just watching that. It accomplishes nothing. She's not the only one recommending it, so I'm on a mission to figure out how removing the blevins and flipping it over (which most of us can't do, because we don't have the equipment) is helpful. This is the best I can see as well. It makes perfect sense and it's easy to do. The only question is whether you want to bother pinching the leather and wrapping it like that. It definitely looks cool but it's not necessary. You can just leave the leathers flat.

@ctsolano

25 күн бұрын

@@epona9166 the blevins must be taken off and flipped so that you pinch and twist the leather. Ben has already done this prior to starting the video. The twist is what makes the stirrup hang perpendicular to the horse. Another way to help the stirrup naturally hang perpendicular is to leave the Blevins attached the standard way, thoroughly wet the fender and stirrup leathers with clean water, attach the stirrups and stirrup hobbles then twist each stirrup 180 degrees (both sides) and place a 2x4 through the both stirrups. The 2x4 will hold the twist in the stirrups while the leather dries. Use your hands to shape the fender to maintain the fender tail perpendicular to the saddle while the leather is wet and it will maintain this shape when it dries. You are bending and shaping the front 3-4” of the wet fender outward 90 degrees to the back half of the fender. It is easiest to do with the saddle on a saddle stand. This is what I would normally do for our customers prior to them taking delivery of a purchased saddle. It takes several hours for the leather to dry and take a set. The technique Ben is demonstrating is more difficult and requires equipment, supplies and technique that most might find challenging.

Good stuff!

It's all about the details.

Excellent. Why don't saddle makers do this from the get go?

@ctsolano

Жыл бұрын

Circle Y Saddlery has done this on their top tier saddles for at least forty years.

@epona9166

26 күн бұрын

People ask this all the time. Manufacturers prob don't turn the stirrups (putting the Blevins prongs through the other side of the stirrup leather) because leaving them flat takes up less room shipping and displaying the saddles. There would be no reason to turn them before the saddle is put in service. It takes two seconds and works right away. The leathers don't need to be soaked in water or "trained" or anything. As for pinching the leather and wrapping it, not everyone wants that done (it's not necessary to turn the stirrups) and I'm guessing many serious working western riders have their own way they want to do it. If I were such an icon, I'd prob want to do it myself.

One thing to note, the Blevins buckles must be mounted with the pins facing what would be considered backwards from the conventional direction.

@epona9166

26 күн бұрын

No I don't think that's correct. I'm trying to find out (here on youtube) what purpose that serves and so far nothing.

@ctsolano

26 күн бұрын

@@epona9166what are you trying to figure out? Maybe I can explain.

@epona9166

26 күн бұрын

@@ctsolano Great thanks!! What I'm trying to find out is how, specifically, detaching the Blevins buckle from the leather, flipping it over, and reattaching it (now with the prongs facing the opposite direction) aids in turning the stirrups. Most people, myself included, do it like Ben does here: With the Blevins attached to the leather the "normal" way, and the fender hanging from the saddle in the "normal" way, twist the buckle end around 180 degrees and insert it into the side of the stirrup leather you normally wouldn't insert it into. Meaning you would insert the prongs "toward the horse" into the holes. You can do this with or without pinching the leather together and wrapping it like in this video. That doesn't affect the way the stirrups face. I've seen several videos where they talk about completely detaching the Blevins buckle in order to turn the stirrups (Leather Lady LLC and Carson James, so far) but neither one actually demonstrates it. I hope that makes sense.

@ctsolano

25 күн бұрын

@@epona9166 You are correct that the way Ben is doing this is the only way I know it can be done. My original comment was made to simply point out that to accomplish what Ben is demonstrating, the Blevins pins must be attached to the fender as you see Ben has done in the video , which is 180 degrees from the standard way they are normally attached. While it might be obvious to some, Ben doesn’t demonstrate attaching the pins or point out this detail in the video. The pinch in the fender tail/stirrup leather and lace wrapped twist repositions the pins facing the standard direction and creates a rotation of the fender tail, when attached to the stirrup leather, that makes the stirrup hang nearly perpendicular to the horse allowing for insertion of the rider’s foot with no twisting of the ankle. Circle Y of Yoakum starting doing this on many of their saddles in the early 80’s. While I am sure they didn’t invent this idea they were the only production saddle company to my knowledge, to have done this. I am unaware f others suggesting that there is another way to accomplish this. I will look at those you have point out and see if I can understand their logic.

loved your video! I am going too do that to my stirrups. I have been trying to locate the lace pull tool you used, but haven't been successful. Is it called something else or where can I purchase? Thank you!

@BMGeisler

Жыл бұрын

It's called a lace pull. Barry King sells them, Bruce Johnson might have a used one for sale, or you can make your own out of an old screwdriver if you've got tools and time to kill.

My blevens buckle is attached to my fenders 180 out from yours. Will this twist still work or do I need to have my blevens rotated such as yours?

@BMGeisler

7 ай бұрын

You'll have to rotate it 180°, that's what sets the twist.