The Akhal-Teke (Ah-cull Tek-y) is a horse with great endurance originally from the Middle East. Today these lovely horses are used in many sports. In particular, they excel in racing, show jumping, dressage, and endurance racing. They are typically bay, grey, black, dun, chestnut, or gold in color and stand 14.3 to 16 hands high.
This distinctive breed has a gazelle-like appearance and is graceful and a beauty to watch. Experts believe that the Akhal-Teke is at least 3000 years old and may be the only remaining strain of the Turkmene, a horse that has existed in some form or another since 2400 BCE.
From 500 to 1500 CE, or what we call the Middle Ages, the Akhal-Teke was found primarily in the Kopet Dag Mountains in Turkmenistan. They lived with the nomads there and were treated like valuable members of the family, often being tethered near or even in the shelters used by humans. By the early 1900s, this magnificant breed was being used by the Russian calvary. Today, they are primarily used for sport and valued for their unique beauty.
The coat of the Akhal-Teke shimmers, especially in bright light. It is important to note, however, that some coat colors shine more than others and the degree of shine is dependent upon the health of the horse and the quality of the coat. This breed has a thin neck that is incredibly flexible. While the Akhal-Teke is considered 'above the bit' by modern standards, this neck is a necessary asset in the flat desert. The Akhal-Teke has a narrow frame and a flat, gliding gait that is perfect for moving swiftly and silently in the desert.
The Abaco Barb is one of the rarest of breeds and is in danger of extinction. These beautiful horses are descended from Spanish horses in use during the time of Christopher Columbus and is considered one of the most noble breeds. The only known herd in existence is located on the conservation area on the Bahaman Island of Great Abaco. They are typically bay, brown, or pinto in color and stand 13.2 to 14.2 hands high.
These horses are thought to have come to North America on board ships bound for the New World with the very first Spanish explorers. Many, if not most, of these ships never reached the New World, often being lost at sea or pirated before they could reach the safety of land. However, some of the horses did eventually make it to the island of Great Abaco. Today, the only remaining herd is still where the breed has survived for centuries.
Like many of the Spanish breeds, the Abaco Barb has a low-set tail, convex face, and a long and beautiful mane and tail. Pointed ears are the standard for the Abaco Barb as are broad tapering foreheads. Though small, these horses are exceptionally strong, though they were not typically used for pulling when they still populated Spain.
These horses are more than just lovely to behold. Abaco Barbs are unique in that they have only five lumbar vertebrae, unlike most other breeds. New reserach has also discovered a difference in the Wing of Atlas. This is the first bone in the neck adjacent to the skull
Though there are many different saddles available, including English saddles, sidesaddles, and dressage saddles, western saddles are the most common choice for recreational riders in the United States. These saddles, which were originally developed by cowboys in the 1800s, are designed for comfort, security of seat, durability, and longevity. However, these saddles can be quite costly to purchase, so many people are learning how to make a western saddle for their own use.
The Materials Needed to Make a Western Saddle
Before attempting to make a western yourself, you’ll need to invest in the correct materials. Make sure you are purchasing only quality parts and materials, consulting a professional if necessary before you invest in saddle parts. You’ll want to purchase the best materials you can afford.
You’ll first need a wooden saddle rack to sit the saddle on while you work on assembling the pieces. These are available at most tack supply shops. Purchase a saddle rack that can bear your weight so that you can test your saddle as you assemble the proper parts.
Perhaps the most necessary materials are your prefabricated saddle parts. This will include items such as the stirrups, skirt pieces, and fenders as well as additional pieces. Buy these as a set, not individually, to be sure that they will all fit together properly. Do not attempt to make these pieces yourself, unless you are an expert leatherworker. Saddle parts have to fit together perfectly for the comfort of both the rider and the horse, so save yourself some trouble and buy the pieces you need.
A saddle tree forms the very basis of your saddle. A saddle tree is a wooden frame to which you will attach the saddle part. Make sure that you purchase a saddle tree of the appropriate size for the prefabricated saddle parts you bought. If they are not the correct size, the parts will not fit on the saddle tree correctly. Most saddle trees, though wood at the core, come covered in rawhide. If you are a beginner, you should purchase a saddle tree with the ground seat already in place.
You will have to purchase enough felt or wool to cover the underside of the saddle. This is again an area where you’ll have to select the correct material for you and your horse. Felt is probably the best choice, but it can be expensive. Whatever material you use, you’ll want to ensure that it’s designed for heavy duty use.
You’ll also need some heavy duty leather or suede, leather lacing, a good length of sheepskin, a piece of foam rubber, a leather tool kit, small saddle tacks, and saddle glue. Do not use regular glue, as it will not hold. Saddle glue is available at most tack shops.
How to Put Together a Western Saddle
Now that you’ve got your materials, you’ll want to begin assembling your saddle. Your saddle pieces will generally come with a basic diagram indicating how you should assemble your saddle. The specifics will vary depending on what pieces you chose to purchase. You can also find some general pictures at Cowboy Showcase. If you are having difficulty following the pictures and directions provided with your saddle pieces, consult the manufacturer or a professional saddle maker.
Start with the saddle tree. Place it on the wooden saddle rack, ensuring that you have easy access to both sides of the saddle. Attach the stirrup bars to the saddle tree. Look towards the very front of the saddle for the point of the tree and bolt the stirrups there. Ensure that the movable thumb piece is facing the rear of the saddle. You may also have to attach the ground seat, rigging, and horn, unless you purchased a saddle tree with these things already in place.
Place your foam rubber over the seat, cutting it to size if necessary. Gather your sheepskin and stretch it over the saddle tree from the pommel to the canter. In other words, from the very front of the saddle to the very back. Secure the sheepskin with small saddle tacks. Put your felt or wool over the canvas, then add your leather or suede. Stretch this very tightly over your frame and secure with saddle tacks and saddle glue. Allow the glue to dry before proceeding.
Now that you have covered the saddle tree, gather up the skirt pieces and attach them to the saddle. If you want a more attractive saddle, you can decorate the skirt pieces before you attach them. This can be done by tooling, adding studs, or even painting. When you’re ready to attach them, you’ll need heavy duty leather lacing, tacks, and glue. Again, wait for the glue to dry.
At this point, your saddle will be almost complete. All you have left to do is to add the fenders and the stirrups to the stirrup bars over the skirt of the saddle. Just as with the skirt, the fenders and stirrups can be decorated beforehand. The fenders are almost impossible to decorate after they have been attached, so make all decisions regarding decorations before you secure the fenders. Once attached with lacing, tacks, and glue, allow everything to dry.
Finally, stretch the remaining sheepskin over the underside of the saddle, covering both the tree and the underside of the skirt. Secure this with tacks and glue, then attach the cinch ring and any additional rigging as required. Once this is done, your saddle is complete.
Western saddle making is an art and so is not easily mastered. You might want to consider purchasing cheaper saddle parts and practicing a few times before you invest in higher quality materials. You should expect that you will make a few mistakes while you are learning how to make a western saddle. Eventually, with time and patience, you will be able to assemble a saddle that will make you proud of your own handiwork.
Measuring yourself for an English saddle is vitally important when selecting the proper saddle both for yourself and your horse. A saddle that is too large will cause you to shift around in your seat as the horse moves. This puts your horse off-balance increasing the risk of muscle strain or injury. A saddle that is too small causes you to assume a poor posture while in the saddle. This is not only uncomfortable for you, but it puts unnecessary pressure on the horse’s back. Learning how to fit a saddle properly to yourself keeps both you and your horse comfortable and safe during your ride.
The Difference Between Tree Size and Seat Size
In order to assess which size saddle you’ll need, you need to understand what is meant by certain terms. When purchasing an English saddle, you’ll often see two measurements: Tree size and seat size. Typically found in narrow, medium and wide, the tree size is for the horse. Seat size is typically measured in inches commonly ranging from approximately fourteen to twenty inches. Since most seat sizes come in all three tree sizes, it is important to determine your own size first.
Instructions for Measuring Yourself
Measuring yourself for an English saddle is not all that difficult, and it requires very little equipment. You’ll need the saddle of your choice (possibly several saddles) and either a horse or a saddle rack that is designed to bear your weight. Standard saddle racks probably cannot hold the full weight of both saddle and rider. You may also want a tape measure, although it isn’t necessary.
Put on all gear you will wear while riding, including your riding boots. Sit in the center of the saddle, finding the most comfortable position without having your feet in the stirrups. Without moving your body, glance behind you. There should be two to four inches of saddle seat exposed. If you cannot tell how much space is left behind you, use a measuring tape to be sure. You might want to have a friend help you with this. You should have the same amount of saddle seat in front of you. Measure the distance from the saddle nail to the center of the cantle to find your saddle size.
Place your feet in the stirrups and check your knee placement. Your knees should be behind the knee roll but on the padding, assuming the flap is padded. If you have longer legs, you might find that your knees extend over the edge of the flap. In this case, you will probably need a saddle with more forward flaps. You might also have to consider a saddle with longer flaps, if you find they are not quite long enough for you. Most saddles can be special ordered to accommodate different flap sizes.
Make sure the saddle is truly comfortable for you. Move around a little, making sure your gear does not catch on any part of the saddle. If you find your gear and saddle are not compatible, you’ll either need a different saddle or new gear. Even if the saddle size is right for you, that particular saddle may not be just right in all other respects.
It is important to realize that English saddles and Western saddles are different. If you typically use a fourteen-inch Western saddle, you may need a sixteen-inch English saddle or perhaps even larger. In addition, English saddles are not ‘one size fits all’ saddles. You must measure yourself for your English saddle and consider comfort above all else.
