doble dee or flat plate rigging or in skirt

[wtacket]

What type of rigging do you prefer and why ? Which is the strongest and most durable that you have found? Has anyone tried a cable rigging?

[Spencer]

I have in skirt rigging on my saddle. Less bulk under your leg is why I like it. Sparky Wallace of Cow Camp Supply has made a few with cable rigging. If I remember correctly he said that it is good because you are not stuck with one position for your rigging as it can slid forward and back to accomodate different horses. Also less bulk with cable rigging. I am sure there are a lot more experienced guys on this forum that can give you a better answer, this is just my experiences.

[wtacket]

I also have an in skirt riiggin and like it but have also heard that they will rot out quicker and will not wear as long as the other types of rigging. Also from a roping standpoint I dont know if there as stout as the double dee or the drop plate, but I dont have to really woory about it cause I am always on the mugging end anyways.

[Mike Leonard]

For real heavy roping and tripping the double Dee is probably the stoutest but only because of where it sets in relation to the tree. You will see most professional roping saddles built with this type rigging. For my part I like the dropped flat plate and if built correctly it should offer nearly as much dragging or logging to the rear strength as the former. When you are standing some heavy jerks to the front such as heavy tie down roping or heeling some really heavy steers ( because in essence many times you are getting the jerk of the steer and some of the heading horse as well) you will want heavy Dee on the rear cinch as well.


I don't care for most double Dee set ups for hard riding because it seems to place the bulk up higher and just isn't as comfortable as the dropped flat plate. I don't have any expereince with cable riggings, am too much a traditionalist and just never paid them any mind.

I never have been a fan of in skirt rigs but I am sure they are fine for general riding and if the leather is kept well conditioned they should last a long time.

[Cowboyvon]

I've roped out of the same saddle now for about 6 years and its a plate rigging.. I really like the way it allows the saddle fit down on a horses back with out the bulk.. I've never had any problems and I've taken some pretty good jerks heeling..

[Mike Leonard]

Brett,

What kind of a rear rigging does that fancy saddle of your's have? As I recall you generally gather the back end , so it must work fine.

I think with a quality built rig that fits as long as a person takes care of it the rigging will be plenty stout for most any roping. The way it distributes the jerk on a horse's back is important but with todays quality saddle pads much of that probelm has been eliminated or reduced anyway.


I remember back in the lap and tap team tying days seeing many old cheap roping saddles come apart after a few wrecks, and saw a lot of injured stock as well. Glad they got away from that and went to todays team roping....

[Cowboyvon]

Mike,

Both my saddles, the Yarbourgh and the fancy one I had made both have the same rigging. The back is in skirt and of course I use an extra wide back cinch and its not just back there for decoration..Its pulled up tight even when I'm not roping but tighter when I am.

Thought I might throw this in.. Check out my new horse.. I just started her this year Double bred war leo roan and double tough..

I've roped thousands of steers out of this saddle with that riggin and have taken alot of jerks with no problems..

[Cold Track]

Nice mare, your looking pretty wolfy yourself on them heels. By the way, that pup I got from you by way of Mike is turning the crank.

[Cowboyvon]

Thanks I think she's going to be a great horse....

Glad to here the dog is doing good.. thats that big spotted pup right? Send me a picture of him if you can..

brettvaughn@hughes.net

[Cold Track]

I'll send you one, might be on the weekend. Don't get to the house in the daylight too often.