Merry Christmas to everyone. May peace come to us 2022_2023✌

I’m a little long winded but I appreciate your wisdom about saddles. I’ve earned a livelihood on large ranches in Texas and New Mexico and eventually worked in saddle shops. The discomfort of horse and rider definitely has to be taken into consideration. While cleaning and repairing saddles, I witnessed the results of poorly made ones. They might have looked good on the outside with nice carving but were put together with a thousand staples and cheap materials underneath. Like a cheap piece of furniture made overseas. Often the repair costs were more than the saddle was paid for new. A well made saddle can be repaired because of the quality of materials it was made from originally, while the cheap ones fall apart and can’t be repaired without rebuilding the whole thing. It was interesting to see the customer pick up his cleaned and repaired cheap saddle, put in the back of his new $40,000 truck and drive off. I’m thankful that master saddle and tree makers like Dale hardwood and Rod Nikkle and others have passed on their wisdom to the next generation of saddle makers (historically this wisdom was not shared) for the benefit of the horses and their riders. Everyone has to start somewhere but the old saying “Good work ain't cheap, cheap work ain't good.” definitely applies to the craftsmanship and materials of well made saddles and tack. Thanks again for passing your wisdom off to the next generation and the end user.

The main thing that stuck out to me that you said is about semi vs full QH bars, my experience has been the exact same as yours. Full QH saddles might not fit high withered horses when they thin out in the winter, and we ended up using thicker pads or contoured pads or shims to try to make them fit. Definitely not the best way to do it. This is probably my main issue with Corriente saddles (which I have 2 of and I've commented about in the past). The majority of Corriente saddles I see for sale on facebook is because they didn't fit the horse. I personally don't have that issue with my horses so I'm a satisfied customer, but it is a known and common issue. Great video as always!

I don't know the first thing about saddles (don't even have a horse!), but! I just wanted to say thank you for continually uploading your words of wisdom in the form of these videos. I benefited greatly from your words on controlling anger, and I'm no longer torturing myself for not "having it made" at 32 years of age. God bless and good day to you!

im not a cowboy... Im a city slicker... Acupuncturist, jazz musician... buddhist... I get SO MUCH from these video's!!! Thank you!!!

Solid wisdom. If you have to buy an entry level saddle, it’s tough to beat a Corriente. But like you said, if you’re making a living in it, you buy handmade saddle. Period. Best money you can spend. Keep this good stuff coming!

I love every single one of this man's videos! Amazing to wake up to 🤙🏽🖤

I rode 8 hours on a saddle one time and i had blisters on my BUNS. They were 50 cents piece size on both of my BUNS. Trust me you do not want that. Everytime i tried to go the restroom it hurt. OUCH Thank you for sharing.

I have a few different saddles, one really old one that is good quality but worn out, a couple generic medium ones and one that I ride is a prize saddle my buddy gave me. His grandfather won it at a rodeo in’05. It’s a really nice saddle, thick and heavy but fits my horse and me really well. And the price was just right 😂

Duane peace and solitude is priceless. That’s what I miss about the country the most. Away from people and their vehicles

Holy Smokes! Even without a cigar. Dewayne, Dewayne, Dewayne, you're going to need 'a whole host' of KZfaq channels. Smokes, guns, philosophy, riding and gear.... Deanne is getting several video suggestions as well. So fun to be along for the ride.....😊 Pun intended...So many ways to spell Dewayne... who knew? May your holidays be safe, happy, healthy, warm and dry!

Merry Christmas Dwayne!

Sure miss my old Ralph Shimon saddle and my old Greenock from Texas, they were the real deal!

I must've tried every saddle "The Ranch" I worked for had, and none of them fit me for all day use. My thighs and knees ALWAYS hurt. I rode a friend's Aussie stock saddle on an all day trail ride, and didn't hurt at all. Went back to the cutting, roping, trail saddles at the ranch, and went back to hurting. Finally saved up enough and bought my own Aussie, never had another problem. It fit every horse I put it on, fits me, and the leathers are long enough for my 40" inseam, and I can cut, rope, and do all the ranch work with it. The guys make fun of it, but it's mine, and I like it. Basically, ya gotta try a bunch of different ones to find the one that fits you, and most horses, and the job that needs done, the best.

Good saddle equals Great experience and comfort!

I love my Cecil Phillips and Robbie Phillips Will James ranch tree saddles. They employ the sons and daughters of the old legendary saddle makers you spoke of. Still high quality!

A good saddle is like a member of the family. Careful putting your good saddle on that Haflinger! 😉

I have a Hud Roberts Signature Series wade tree saddle that was built this year, excellent quality. Interesting enough you mentioned Dakota, my 11 year old daughter just bought an older Dakota saddle from an older gentleman that can't lift it anymore and I am pleased with how its built. We ride alot and often hit all day trails where you tell the difference quick on a good saddle vs a not so good saddle.

Two days ago I was inspired from a political philosophy channel where this channel was highly recommended so I came here and honestly the best thing I've done in a long time. You and your wife are a wonderful couple and when I heard that you have 7 children, I really felt spiritually close to your family. My parents, a long time ago, created 11 children, actually 12 but one was stillborn. 8 girls and 3 boys, raised above the arctic circle in northern Sweden in the mining town of Kiruna. There we hardly saw any horses or cows, but reindeer in the mountain areas far away from town. Both of your channels are amazing, humanly natural and philosophically humble, exactly in my taste. I wish you all a Merry Christmas from Sweden and Stockholm.

So pleased for your success my friend. Your videos are captivating. I'm from a small seaside town in the UK. Your lifestyle is absolutely fascinating to me!

The sound is fine! Your voice is always very soothing to hear - highway or no highway noise underneath it! However I totally understand moving towards silence, excited to see the new adventure unfold.

The picture quality is just Outstanding for sure & The sound quality also.

I ride english dressage I bought a used saddle and had it fitted to my horse by a pro. It is made of quality leather and heavy. Best decision. Like u say the new ones r not the same and really expensive.

I’m glad you are refreshing this topic! Always love to learn from real experienced wisdom! Truly the the proper way to learn imo!

Thanks for this. Very helpful in the search for my first saddle!

I’ve followed your channel for last few years and just realized that you live in the neighboring county from me. Probably 30 minutes or so away from my home in Lawrence County. Thank you for all you do , I always look forward to your videos.

Your saddle is your life. True. I have recently broken my back from my saddle. I bought a saddle and the latigo strap on the right hand side tore down the holes until the saddle fell off taking me with it. The strap was new. Turns out it was terrible quality and I didn't know the difference. I broke my L2 vertebrae in my spine. I am at week 3 and having to use a walker to get around. I cant do anything myself and my horses are in the paddocks waiting for me to heal. I hope I heal 100 percent. Check the quality of your leather folks. Your saddle is your life.

Had a 70's Herford back in the early 80's that was a hand-me-down and a cousins horse. In the 90's I was lucky enough to afford a custom made Colorado Saddlery saddle. And totally agree on the $350-$550 used Herford vs a new $1500 (junk) saddles.

mornin

very good information, thank you sir. man i learned a lot of this stuff the long hard way but thank the Lord I learned it.

The sound is great right now.

Had an old Hereford saddle loved it, had a horse fall over backwards on me & broke the tree. Haven’t found a comfortable saddle since. … that I could afford

Dwayne that’s a sad situation. The workmanship is not there anymore and it should be. But the times of changed. I know exactly what you’re talking about with a lot of things the craftsmanship and the workmanship it’s not what it used to be

Good content. Im a custom builder and I will confirm most of this content. I will say, i can make a lighter saddle but at some point you sacrifice quality so his comments about lookig for a heavy saddle are pretty much spot on. Also i would try to avoid using "quarter horse" or "semi quarter horse" terms. Talk to your maker and talk about your use and the horses you plan to ride and they should be able to find a fit for you. Qh and sqh are terms just relative to each other and mean different things to different people/makers.

I’m sure you already know. But if you think it’s cold in Tennessee, wait till winter and the wind is blowing in Wyoming. Lol. Now that’s cold sir!

I love your style and I love learning through your videos thanks for taking time to pass on your experience and wisdom

I live in New York where I have scarcely seen a horse, but you make me wanna be a cowboy

Thank you for another informative video. Blessings.

I absolutely love these types of videos. They are the reason I subscribed to this channel in the first place. I have long been a fan of the American west and you are one of the best sources I've found for accurate information. Thank you Sir, and Merry Christmas to you and Deanna!

man, cowboys are so friggin stylish.

Look for Dwayne’s video entitled “A Ship in the Storm” about a month ago. It was a game changer for me!🎄💜🎄

Great topic. When possible comment on what exercise or conditioning a person that never rides but is preparing to ride soon can do. For example someone attending your school and is new to the world of horses. Thank you

honestly felt as though you were speaking directly to me, I know that's not the case however, I am so new to this that everything felt greatly applicable. Welcome home and thank you for preparing and filming this content for us.

Great video. You can tell you have Jesus in your heart. Way to calm cool and relax to not have.

A Halflinger is "a 55-gallon drum with no withers." That's brilliant. We have a very stocky Haflinger at my English lesson barn where I volunteer and that animal is so hard to tighten the girth on. I've sat on him and made as certain as possible that I tightened that girth as tightly as I could. The saddle still slips. I've ridden less than a half-dozen Haflingers on English hunter/jumper saddles, and some (usually the smaller mares) do have withers to grab a saddle to in the gullet. But I've ridden some larger round geldings that are exactly a "55-gallon drum with no withers" and the saddles slip no matter how tight I make the girth even after checking it again once I'm mounted. There's nothing so disconcerting as a slipped saddle. Been there, done that, don't like it. Fortunately, nothing happened to me or the other people I've ridden with that had a slipped saddle, but it surely can become dangerous.

Wyoming is awesome! Rode my Harley through there couple years ago and up to Yosemite. Congratulations on move up there and the growth on your channel. I reckon I got on to this channel due to cigars...funny how you tube works but also like the philosopher tid bits and your breath of knowledge of life in general. It's a fresh perspective that takes me back to my roots🙂

I had never been interested in anything horses until I came across this channel.

Glad I caught this video, good info to know

I wish I still had my 1978 Ford pick up I was an idiot for selling it. Was a nice truck

The one on the far left is my pick, thanks for the wisdom sir.

I think mama knows best, nothing can outmatch Papa Duane's voice 😂

Appreciate your videos. Have had an old circle y from the early 80s that my uncle cowboyed with that I’ve ridden since 2001 always sore after riding. Gonna try out different saddles. Thanks for the simple advice I needed to hear.

Ive got too many horses and not enough money. That means they all get ridden and one saddle and blanketed to fit. I’m not a working cowboy but 20mi days horseback in the Rocky’s is not uncommon for me. I’ve never had an issue arise due to padding for a better fit. That being said I did it with Pat Puckett’s saddle which is a working saddle for a decent price in my opinion.

Thanks for another great lesson!! When are you moving to Wyoming? Merry Christmas y'all and God's blessings in the New Year!

Very helpful thank you

I wish I had known about YOU back when I was young and had horses.

Good one Dewayne.

I use my cheaper Sheridan and Corriente saddles on the younger/ranker horses or when doing rough day work, I use my better saddles in the roping pen and when on longer rides.

Thank you

Send some of your clients to N.M....I am having a hard time finding anyone that can guide, or work with horses

Thank you for sharing

I realize this is months after your post, but this is more apropos of your move to Wyoming than saddles. Although we could stand many more posts on saddles. I’ve viewed your book/library video, so if you don’t already have it, I’m going to recommend some John McPhee. The book where he talks about his ancestor first coming into Wyoming, and the geography and history of Wyoming. BASIN AND RANGE is the title I believe. You may have to do a little research. I wish you and your family well. Stay upstream of uranium tailings. Take care and thanks for your channel.

I hate traffic too. I rode a horse once in Spain never again but your experience With saddles is illuminating.

I love your videos. My 2 best saddles is a 1955 saddle don’t know the brand. And my 40 year old herdferd saddle. If im spelling that right.

Very enlightening . I havent ridden a horse in years and even my dad has horses in take care of them sometimes but must admit I wouldnt know anything about buying a good saddle

Wyoming is cold and very windy.

Good morning I love your channel I could listen to you talk all day long you're very knowledgeable and I know you're doing what you love to do now and that's great but I think someday you could should consider riding a book I think you would do an excellent job please keep up the good content

Also, since you mentioned it, would love to see a video covering some different types of stirrups and their benefits, maybe tapaderos too if those are something you use!

Schleese saddles are the best. 5K is a lot of money though.

I’m a big fan of yours, I just got my first A Fork , a very little used saddle . I’ve searched for information on the maker but have came up with nothing! It is well made and heavy. Much like the saddle in the middle. Have you heard of Alan Goodhue ?

Good video!

🇺🇸🇵🇷🇵🇪😎 thanks for your channel, I have been watching since you only had less than 1000 subscribers, at 76 I'm only a want to be Cowboy, but when you got into the Philosophy side I had to subscribe! You are the best...So Happy with your success with the channel, and all the other stuff, podcasts, things I haven't looked into..Good Luck with going out West. I'm in Florida for the season ¿Are you going to make it to Fort Pierce for the ride?Wishing you and your's all the best in the New Year 🐎🐴💝

i like ruff over smooth. i feel like i would come out of smooth

Glad to see you getting back to your roots! I love these videos. Actually just bought “my saddle” - my first new saddle. Do you Dewayne or anyone else here have experience with Vickers saddles? First couple rides have felt great, seems to be real well built. Happy holidays from MN!

The 1978 Ford truck was the best looking pickup ever made...change my mind!

so its all about stability and durability for a working saddle yess yess, boy this is just like buying boots to me i work outside on a laundry dock i hang bags of dirty stuff all day and let me tell ya i need some strong boots

Im a city boy with no horses but I still watched this whole video. Just in case ya know? 😂

Another comment. He stated that saddles can make you hurt. Also saddles can hurt horses. Horses come in all shapes and sizes. He was absolutely right that semi quarter horse bars will fit a wider aray of horses. But he didnt mention the rock of the bars. Many cheap saddles will have too much or not enough rock due to the straightness of the horses back. This isnt as big of a deal if you are a lighter person. But if you weigh 200 plus pounds that starts to become a big factor. So if you have a saddle that fits a particular shaped horse. Don't buy another horse that is built completely differently. Try to find horses that are built the same so the saddle will work for both. I have personally spent thousands of dollars on both horses and saddles because one is not built to fit the other. I would rather myself be a little sore than my horse that I ask to do all the work. Many horses that people claim have issues of running off or bucking are due to bad saddles.

Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah

I ride bear back it's a big money saver

Hypothetically, if you have a large and random collection of saddles, how do you tell if they have quarter or semi quarter horse bars? Or something else?

Good morning Dad

❤️❤️❤️

Hey dewayne, I saw your video on why you smoke cigars and in it you mentioned that maybe in the future you’d possibly do a video on how to smoke cigars. I know there are plenty of ways on how to smoke a cigar but can you make a video on how you smoke your cigars? Thank you!

Just a random thought, but I remember on one of your videos you had introduced us to your Mule. I'm curious to know if you have worked with the Mule at all. Thanks!

Good wood is essential. You can ride with a sore @ss, but you can’t ride a sore horse.

Did you ever to the part 2 video to go over the other parts of the saddle?

Once I rode a slick seat, I don't want anything else.

Wish you would talk aboutthe saddle your right hand is on I just bought one

I am an adult-onset cowboy (still green), and your channel is such a great help. Thank you so much for taking the time to share what you have learned. Thank you

👍👍

McCall saddles is about as good as it gets for commercial saddles I like mine just as well as my 1975 Jesse Smith saddle difference in price was around 650 both purchased used. If your in the washington area go to kennewick and see Jack James for the best hand made saddles around.

Hello people, I am very curious about the stirrups shown in the video. This is an open questions to anyone who is willing to answer serious and respectfully. What is the reason the more orange-colored saddle on the far right has wider stirrups ?? What are wide stirrups used for ? Or what is the difference between the stirrups of these saddles. I appreciate the answers given.

35 male. I figure I have about 20 years of "good" work ability, and have a tradesmen background. Is it too late to get into something like Wrangling or Trail Guide? I would be starting from scratch. Have not been on a horse in years, and was less than a novice back then.

What thickness of leather is good for a saddle, especially a saddle seat?

Very thankful for all your insight and videos Dwayne. The saddle you had on the far left with the bucking rolls that’s the type I’m interested in. Would it work well for multiple horses? As you touched on earlier?

You should make a podcast!

Very smart man!!. I have a Quarter horse a part quarter hores ( he is A rescue ) and a TWH. I'm learning to ride. Some people say you need a gated saddle some don't. What is your opinion? Thank you

Hello Dwayne I looked up the school for a class next year 2023 but it says your moving to Wyoming is this correct I have some land in TN and found it easy to get to you in TN since I’m currently in Florida.

Hello loved the video. Iv been working with leather for a while now and would like to take a stab at making a saddle . i have a person with a Percheron horse, that is willing to let me test it on. The tree i was look at having a wood and rawhide tree made from a tree maker or one he has in stock. question. she told me i need a 19"diagonal for the horse and her. that is different then the seat size? she wants a trail riding saddle for long rides, with high back skinny horn. I looked at roping trees and Olin young style. none said trail riding so a cow poke saddle is an all day saddle from the sounds of it . but the two on you right side (my left) look like a wade style saddle, with big horn . the one to your left ( my right) looks good kinda barrel style . I'm sure there is a style tree that would be perfect. do you have any suggestions to help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.