Deer Saddles

[Ewich]

Jamie,

You could try Sandy MacArthur, Rogie Farm, Contin, by Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, Scotland - think he makes and repairs deer saddles and tack for hill ponies.

 

[roaring_stag]

I’m reviving this Very Old thread, as I’m on the look out for a Strathfarrer Saddle, or contacts to someone that would take on an order for a new saddle. Any thoughts/suggestions?

RS

 

[willie_gunn]

I’m reviving this Very Old thread, as I’m on the look out for a Strathfarrer Saddle, or contacts to someone that would take on an order for a new saddle. Any thoughts/suggestions?

RS

You might try posting on the website of the Highland Pony Society, as they sometimes have deer saddles for sale:

Traditional Deer Saddle

Location: Tain IV19 1PE Advertiser: Derry Argue, Morrich Highland ponies Email: 01473jihg@gmail.com (No phone calls) DESCRIPTION Deer Stalking Saddle for Highland Ponies for deer extraction from the hill. Used by Morrich Highland Ponies for breaking our own ponies but the stud is now closed and...

www.highlandponysociety.com

 

[roaring_stag]

You might try posting on the website of the Highland Pony Society, as they sometimes have deer saddles for sale:

Traditional Deer Saddle

Location: Tain IV19 1PE Advertiser: Derry Argue, Morrich Highland ponies Email: 01473jihg@gmail.com (No phone calls) DESCRIPTION Deer Stalking Saddle for Highland Ponies for deer extraction from the hill. Used by Morrich Highland Ponies for breaking our own ponies but the stud is now closed and...

www.highlandponysociety.com

thanks, good find will take a look at this.

Any other pearls of wisdom on deer saddles very welcome.

 

[Freeforester]

thanks, good find will take a look at this.

Any other pearls of wisdom on deer saddles very welcome.

Make sure it is one that the trees are suited to the intended beast of burden.

We used to repair both Strathfarrar and Glenquioch type saddles for many estates all over Scotland; in my experience many, but by no means all offered for sale were made with a tree or trees ill-suited to highland ponies. Now that there are still fewer deer forests extracting with ponies you might be lucky, and find one well suited to your pony.

We used to handcut with a scythe over an acre of rye each year in order to have a supply of dry straw for the following year’s anticipated repairs.

Many of the relatively few newer saddles are filled with a type of foam, which though ‘kind’ anatomically to the back of the pony - as indeed traditional straw-filled saddles are - they tend not breathe, and to thereby make the pony ‘sweat’ excessively on and around the withers.

Edit: you could try the Ormiston family, who broke in (trained)many ponies for deer extraction and general hill work.

 

[roaring_stag]

Make sure it is one that the trees are suited to the intended beast of burden.

We used to repair both Strathfarrar and Glenquioch type saddles for many estates all over Scotland; in my experience many, but by no means all offered for sale were made with a tree or trees ill-suited to highland ponies. Now that there are still fewer deer forests extracting with ponies you might be lucky, and find one well suited to your pony.

We used to handcut with a scythe over an acre of rye each year in order to have a supply of dry straw for the following year’s anticipated repairs.

Many of the relatively few newer saddles are filled with a type of foam, which though ‘kind’ anatomically to the back of the pony - as indeed traditional straw-filled saddles are - they tend not breathe, and to thereby make the pony ‘sweat’ excessively on and around the withers.

Edit: you could try the Ormiston family, who broke in (trained)many ponies for deer extraction and general hill work.

Thanks FF,

I have a contact for Sylvia - good suggestion I might pick her brains.

Do you know if there are still saddlers who would accept commission orders for new saddles?

RS

 

[opticron1]

I wonder whether it would be worth trying to get in contact with Estates who have used Garrons in the past, such as the Reay Forest Estate at Achfary. They might still have a useful contact or two. I also wonder whether some estates might have a few spare pony saddles around if they've.....err..reduced their deer numbers a lot?

 

[Freeforester]

Thanks FF,

I have a contact for Sylvia - good suggestion I might pick her brains.

Do you know if there are still saddlers who would accept commission orders for new saddles?

RS

I don’t know if anyone making from new, sorry. The cost of a full rig out on a second hand one is not insignificant.

I wonder whether it would be worth trying to get in contact with Estates who have used Garrons in the past, such as the Reay Forest Estate at Achfary. They might still have a useful contact or two. I also wonder whether some estates might have a few spare pony saddles around if they've.....err..reduced their deer numbers a lot?

We used to repair/service the Achfary saddles, among others. Good shout.