narrow shoulders

[pegleg]

has anyone noticed narrow withers and shoulders becoming a bigger problem? I see it even in horses with a little more bone.

[R Severe]

As a tree and saddlemaker I see that and more. The horse breeders of today seem to forget that it's saddle horses that folks are looking for. They gotta be able to pack a saddle for that.
I just saw one of the worst backs on a horse I've ever looked at. Of course they want a custom saddle for him but it needs to fit other horses when he's gone

[pegleg]

I have been seeing it in breeding stock. I wonder what they're thinking does that baby doll head and tiny ears offset that? I guess you don't have to worry about that saddle sliding on you but all the time put into selecting saddle pads and building them up isn't worth it. light bones and poor breeding. I would prefer a well built hammer head then a pretty rail.

[Powder River Walker]

R Severe,
I had a bronc saddle one time long ago that you guys made. It was one of the nicest saddles I have ever sat in. I was wondering what it would cost for a 15.5" wade tree, not fancy but practical. the wife and I raise and start all our own horses (QH). Right now I start our colts with a calf saddle works ok but they are made to get out of not stay in, LOL.
PRW

[Mike Leonard]

PRW,

Let me tell you I can get out of a Wade slicker than cat chit on a marble floor. LOL! Unless you got bucking rolls or your slicker rolled tight and tied in front there isd not a whole lot to hang on to in a Wade other than faith in the Lord. LOL!
But I do love a wade for riding big country and roping outside. Generally if you get them built by a Master Saddle Maker like our very own Robin here they actually seem to set down into the horse and not on top of him and that really gives you a lot of feel. But for colts and or a humpy string give me my old Leuallen.LOL!

[Cowboyvon]

Seems like I've noticed more mutton withered horses instead of having good prominent withers .. but we might be talking about something different as far shoulders go, I don't like to see a big heavy shouldered horse.. most of the time they can't turn around and are just not that athletic. I like a good sloping shoulder not too bulky with some good inside muscling and a prominent set a withers so you don't have to pull them in two for your saddle to stay put...

[R Severe]

The breeders need to pay attention to that back. It's a whole package deal, brains and ability need to mesh with conformation for the job at hand. In this day of shipping semen and cheap stud fee's folks should be able to get some real nice horses in that pasture.

Biggest trouble I see is that by the time you've educated yourself enough to spot what you need to look for it's harder to swing that leg over the cantle.

Mike, you got me grinning on that slick fork coment. Nowdays I don't mind so much leaving early in a bronc ride, seems to be the least healup time.


I sent you a private measage PRW.

[Dan Edwards]

Let me tell you I can get out of a Wade slicker than cat chit on a marble floor.

I couldnt agree more. I wont ride in one for this reason.........well that and I always seem to be on something thats a shade less than desirable.

[Dan Edwards]

As far as withers and shoulders go though...........there are more and more sorry built horses today than ever before. They just really are sorry in almost every way. Little bity heads and them tiny ass ears accompanied with a 000 on a 1100 pound animal. Ya, just makes a whole lot o sense to me. WTF are people thinkin?

[Mike Leonard]

That's no joke Robin! LOL!

I use to think I had to hang,shake, spur and rattle and do anything to stay in that saddle.

But these days when they grab their ass and duck and feel them shoulders come up twixt yer knees and you know they are gonna buck

Hell I just throw caution to the wind or so some might ponder
I pitch em the slack, fan with my hat, and look a way off in the yonder

Oh they dump me for sure and usually damn fast but to me it's the better part of glory
To save all those bruises the aches and the pains and having to tell the sawbones a story.

For weatherin the storm in a bronc contest can win you a buckle to own
And hanging on tight in the great out yonder can save you a long walk home.

But as you get older and yer joints start to creak and healing and headache takes more than a week.

Then just whoop and holler and grab for yer hat you'll still look wooley and grand
Then kick loose yer stirrups and take to the air and look for a soft spot to land!

[Powder River Walker]

LOL I like it Mike.

I planned on getting buck 'n rolles for my saddle. I have never been anything but a damn team roper, calf roper, steer wrestler. So now that is all the saddles I own. to me when I get a colt that throws a fit I want to beable to hang on with my thighs keep my shoulders behind my ass and ride the storm out. a martin rope saddle is great other then to ride out side.

I would like some of you guys to come by and look at our stuff if you ever get through wyoming. from what you guys say you like in a horse sounds like what we are breeding. We just started our program a couple years ago and this past year was our first year with colts on the ground. Not saying we have the best or anything like that but I like to have input from other people since it is you guys that I want to sell to.
PRW

[Mike Leonard]

Let me know where you are located and I will come by I get up to Sheridan Area as I have a sone who lives there. He is into the horses so he may be interested as well.

[pegleg]

I've ridden with a few Mexicans that can stay on about anything. but the high back bear trap saddle's some of them favor could hold a sack of feed in! I screwed myself down n down n down into one of my buddy's saddles. the CLAUSTROPHOBIA set in bad. I had no doubt I couldn't get out of it in a wreck if I had to. I am not a bronc stomper but in my country the rocks provide a good argument for stayin on top. so I compromise and ride my daughter's horse I do prefer a levelheaded horse thats a bit closer to the dirt wont be long till I'm riding a burro at this pace neither.

[Powder River Walker]

Mike I am in kaycee, If you have been to sheriden then you have drove through Kaycee, we are right on I 25. Stop on and look at the horses and you can asses my hounds (but I already know they are the best, )

pegleg don't be so eager to jump on that burro. My daughter baught a donkey to run with our sheep and I tried to ride him and he bucked me off faster then I have ever been bucked off....wait I take that back one of the kid's horses got me one time too.

I had another thought when I was driving home from my daughter's volleyball practice. I as thinking about horses and their feet and how they are similar to people, I was drawing a blank then I thought about the one thing we put metal on our feet for and that is anything to do with ice. that braught me to my question, is it just coincidence that a figur skater has a narrow blade on their skate, while reiners and cutters want a small foot on a horse, and a hockey player has a wider blade and they are bigger and more physical while that to me is what I want on my rope/ranch horses.
PRW

[pegleg]

hooves now there's a debate anywhere. I look at it like this though ever see a mustang with tiny feet compared to body size? not unless they threw a stud in to improve the blood. I don't believe in big ol platters or long toe. turn that horse out for a year and see what size it comes in at. that should be your shoe size. look at the many and varied shoes we've nailed to them through out the centuries. I know this will get me black balled but I use easy boots and have for nine or ten years. I like them for these reasons. traction on the rocks can't be beat period. that point I'll argue forever. ease of use about the same as shoeing maybe more but less skill required. can't really lame or quick one with a boot. durability the things last for miles. things I don't care for, some horses are hard to fit sometimes. poor fitting can cause a loss" but a thrown/loose shoe can cause serious problems especially in the hills".pricey at first but work out much cheaper in the long run. your string probably won't wear the same size. so multiple pairs needed. they don't LOOK right at first . need to be careful they don't have to much grab at speed. but for hoof health I put them way out front. and recommend them for any one that has few head of favorite horses. I might even use them in the feedlots for more grab.