Has anyone dealt with a centerfired saddle and if so, what do you think of this setup?

Question

http://cgi.ebay.com/Supra-Cinch-Girth-for-Round-or-Mutton-Withered-Horses_W0QQitemZ7226503607QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3167QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Instead of centerfiring my son's saddle for his pony mule... what do you guys think of this setup? I'm headed to SD this weekend to have it centerfired and then I find this on ebay..

Its the same principles, and I'm about ready to buy it, but wanted others opinions.

Answer 1

I've seen a few centerfire rigs in my lifetime, most were 1920's-1940's slick seated, high backed rigs.  Keystone was known for making them.

Kicking Bear's named it!  It's called "V"ing a cinch.  We did this a LOT when I worked at Sea Horse Ranch, Half Moon Bay, CA (Saddling 75 head of horses on weekends and 35 during weekdays, you learn something.) and brought it with me when I moved to LA in '73.  I've shown a few stables how to "V" a cinch.  First, like Kicking Bear said, you use the cinch billet and the flank cinch billet on the off side of your saddle,  rig it so that it sets back a few inches from where your mule's got the cinch sore.

Then on the left side, you can use your flank billet to move the cinch back and hold it there and simply cinch up as usual with your latigo.

Answer 2

I'm in the UK and I'm afriad I've never heard of center-firing.

If the problem is the saddle slipping on the mule, could you try a breastplate (Racing or hunting, depending on how it slipped) or a crupper?

Sorry if this isn't what you are looking for!

That product seems a good enough idea, though without trying it I couldn't comment, and nothing replaces a well fitting saddle!

Answer 3

For some horses it works really nice, and it is great if the horse has a sore or pain issues.  That surcingle is nice but you can rig a regular rope cinch the same way to try it out.

On the off side of the saddle, take the two billets and attach the cinch buckle to both of them - so that the two billets look like a "v".  Attached to the surcingle.  Then on the other side, run your cinch strap down through the surcingle like you normally would, but istead of going back to the front ring to tie it off, run it to the back ring and tie it off there.  It may not look as pretty as the one you found, but it might allow you to test out how it will work.

I have used it a lot with horses that develop a sore right behind the elbow.  Just make sure you use a breast collar because it is too easy for the saddle to slip back from that spot.

Edit : If you are like my family - hunting season is looking really good as the freezer is getting almost as bare as the bank account.  Best of luck!

Edit:  I knew I had pictures somewhere: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29782990@n0...

Answer 4

That is brilliant! One rig that helps distribute pressure evenly along the entire length of the saddle and won't gall? I could use that myself.

My horses go out with cruppers and breast collars to keep the saddle from sliding. This could make my life a whole lot easier. I would definitely buy that. Thanks for the link too.

Answer 5

This looks interesting.  I was about to set out in search of a centerfire or at least a 3/4.  My Appy doesn't fare the best with conventional rig.

Answer 6

it looks like a good idea for trail riding and is a whole lot cheaper than a centerfire rig.