Saddle tree comparison question

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Saddle tree comparison question Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2018-03-14 9:11 AM 3 replies, 3040 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


ajs2002 Reg. Apr 2006	Posted 2018-03-14 6:08 AM Subject: Saddle tree comparison question
Expert Posts: 1367 Location: mi	Ok I have an older Billy Cook that fits my horse great, that has the CJ tree in it. I have been scanning the used saddle ads to up date to a newer used one and just not finding the right size/tree combo that I like and fits in my budget. Anyone familiar enough with trees to recommend a different tree that might fit similarly? I have been told the BW would be close enough or the Double J Lynn McKenzie.... just trying not to be buying and reselling saddles all summer. And I really don't want to buy new. Also is a CJ in a different brand of saddle the same as what is made for Billy Cook? or would that be comparing apples and oranges? Thanks for any guidence. Edited by ajs2002 2018-03-14 7:17 AM
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IRunOnFaith Reg. Dec 2009	Posted 2018-03-14 8:55 AM Subject: RE: Saddle tree comparison question
Expert Posts: 3815 Location: The best kept secret in TX	ajs2002 - 2018-03-14 6:08 AM Ok I have an older Billy Cook that fits my horse great, that has the CJ tree in it. I have been scanning the used saddle ads to up date to a newer used one and just not finding the right size/tree combo that I like and fits in my budget. Anyone familiar enough with trees to recommend a different tree that might fit similarly? I have been told the BW would be close enough or the Double J Lynn McKenzie.... just trying not to be buying and reselling saddles all summer. And I really don't want to buy new. Also is a CJ in a different brand of saddle the same as what is made for Billy Cook? or would that be comparing apples and oranges? Thanks for any guidence. If I were you and the tree fits your horse perfectly, I would recover the tree you have. You can buy the exact same tree from the same maker but it may not fit exact. As a tree maker, you can make each tree exactly the same and they will all fit just a smidge differently just because of how they dry or how the rawhide was laid, or how the stitching dried into the rawhide, or an array of other things that may happen during the drying process. It's not enough to call them all different trees because they all measure the same with a tape but if you take calipers to them you will make yourself crazy trying to find the exact tree. It isn't enough to measure differently by tape but the caliper measurements is enough to make you crazy when talking about fit with those who barrel race LOL. If you are unhappy with the way the saddle looks aesthetically ask to recover the seat, ask for tooled fenders if you have roughout fenders, update the side jockey, recover the cantle binding and add a name or something to the cantle. if it's light oiled ask to darken it to update it to the chocolate leather and heavy oil times we are living in. You can even ask for a deep clean from places like Teskeys who will literally take the saddle apart at the stitchline to deep clean the saddle. It made my old ones look brand new. It'll be cheaper than trading or buying used. It'll buy you time to save money so oyu can keep the saddle you have and buy a "twin" to it later. I would hold on to a saddle if it fits. You can update the look of a saddle. Heck you can even rip the tree out of the saddle and have a place build you your dream saddle on that exact tree in your saddle you have right now. You have a lot of options, but if it were me I wouldn't go looking for this trees twin just because you want something new and up to date, because you may get close but you won't ever find it exactly. At least then you still have a saddle that fits like a glove while trying to find a "newer" one. Edited by IRunOnFaith 2018-03-14 9:01 AM
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ajs2002 Reg. Apr 2006	Posted 2018-03-14 9:04 AM Subject: RE: Saddle tree comparison question
Expert Posts: 1367 Location: mi	Thanks. I had not thought of that. BUT I was planning on keeping the old saddle. always nice to have an old tried and true on a rainy day race or just for working in during the dusty days. or ..... you name it. I had no intentions of selling the older saddle. :)
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IRunOnFaith Reg. Dec 2009	Posted 2018-03-14 9:11 AM Subject: RE: Saddle tree comparison question
Expert Posts: 3815 Location: The best kept secret in TX	ajs2002 - 2018-03-14 9:04 AM Thanks. I had not thought of that. BUT I was planning on keeping the old saddle. always nice to have an old tried and true on a rainy day race or just for working in during the dusty days. or ..... you name it. I had no intentions of selling the older saddle. :) WHEW! I thought you were talking about trading saddles all summer with the one that fit now LOL
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