Hope Saddle tree maker

[Jack]

Hello Gentlemen,
I would like to find a reputable saddle maker who uses bull rawhide for finishing the tree. I know the design I want;finding the fellow to do the work is the hard part. I will finish the leather rigging myself.

I'd appreciate it if any of you can help.

Thanks,
Jack Mc Coy
bellehaven@videotron.ca

[T.Kern]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

The term Hope saddle had a very limited usage during the war most often it 's refered to as a texas saddle. Bowden/ritter has made some fair trees or James saddle trees ( I beleive in Ga,). either might be able to use bull hide if requested.?
Todd kern

[Mike Nickerson]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

As Todd, said "Hope" was but one pre-war Texas saddle maker. Calling all Texas type saddles a "Hope" is like calling all cars, a Ford. Although I think we have all done it

I have a Texas built on one of the GA trees and I'm very happy with it.

I also ordered a Bowden 2 years ago and it's a $250 piece of scrap. It took 9 months to build, the quality is very poor for both wood and rawhide fit-and-finish, and the design/dimensions (oversized in all directions) scream FARB! I would never build it for use in the hobby!

Mike Nickerson

[Jack]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

Thank you Todd and Mike,

I was using the word Hope more as a generic term such as the term "Kleenex". I appreciate your responses more than you can know.

I sure would like to get a few pictures of your gear if posible. In my research, I have seen some saddles which had a high cantel, simular to the drover saddle of that time period and later into the '80's.

I sent off info to Bowden, but heard nothing. It's lucky for me that I caught this reference. Just today I was graciously given the name and phone number of the James Costom Wood shop in Ga. (Praise the internet.) I am hoping to get them to take the project on.

You men have proven once again that there's some one out there that knows what you're looking for or has been down the same path before.

Jack Mc Coy
bellehaven@videotron.ca

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

As Todd, said "Hope" was but one pre-war Texas saddle maker. Calling all Texas type saddles a "Hope" is like calling all cars, a Ford. Although I think we have all done it

I have a Texas built on one of the GA trees and I'm very happy with it.

I also ordered a Bowden 2 years ago and it's a $250 piece of scrap. It took 9 months to build, the quality is very poor for both wood and rawhide fit-and-finish, and the design/dimensions (oversized in all directions) scream FARB! I would never build it for use in the hobby!

Mike Nickerson

Mike,

I guess it's like Todd's experience with Serio vs. those of us who have had good experiences with them. I've had excellent results from the trees I've had Francis Bowden build for me personally. They were the closest to the original specimen that I've found. I found Mr. Bowden to be accessible and easy to work with in building me what I wanted. I've had a couple of Bowden trees over the years and liked both of them and found them to be as close to museum quality as any I've seen. On the other hand, I have seen some out there that I wouldn't put on a Shetland pony.

[Mike Nickerson]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

Well Larry, I guess I didn't know what to order at the time. As I requested one of their "Hopes" (as listed on their web site) configured as close to a C/W era Texas as possible and still fit a 1/4 horse. The tree I received looked like it was in 110% scale. The rawhide in the cantle/seat had been nailed in rows with over 40 SS nails, with a loose " jelly roll" of rawhide protruding between each row of nails. The pommel is made out of laminated plywood (certainly not "museum quality").

In all fairness, knowing what I know now, I feel I could order a much better tree from Bowden by providing exact specs (with the fit-and-finish issue not withstanding).

Mike Nickerson

[light horse]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

Hi Jack,

I recently purchased a Texas tree from Bowden and, like Larry, for the most part was pleased with the tree, workmanship and quality of materials. I called the company when I went to order and was able to speak directly with one of the owner/builders and got all of my questions answered politely and to my satisfaction. Delivery time was a bit longer then promised (five months to the promised two), as Mike ran in to, but for a specialty item I didn't find that to be a problem. I also payed in advance by cc and they shouted for shipping.

The tree profile looks good, it has a proper low cantle, is well balanced and, most importantly, fits my horse.

Good Luck,
Ridgely Davis

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

Most Teaxas saddle repros have a much shorter pommel than the originals I have seen so far. Usually originals have a pretty massive pommel. How is the Bowden tree in this concern?

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Hope Saddle tree maker

Mike,

The tree you described sounds like a Texas tree I saw once from Superior Tree Co. (or something like that). It was hideous. The nails in the seat, laminated rawhide, plywood, etc... all of that. It was pure junk. The only nails in my bowden trees were under the rawhide and then only in the corners. Nothing on the seat at all. I also requested unbleached rawhide and made sure I specified that I didn't want plywood. Maybe all of that made a difference.

J.H.,

By pommel, I assume you mean horn? The originals I've seen didn't have a massive pommel swell, but the horn cap was pretty large, reflecting the Mexican influence. The smaller horn cap I've seen on some of the other Texas trees out there is one reason I went to Francis Bowden in the first place. I found his horn and flat cantle to be more representative of the originals I'd seen. Still not perfect, but closer. The only fault I've had is that some of the originals had thinner horn necks with the swan curve to them and the Bowden horn neck is a little thicker, but the larger cap makes up for the difference.

Regardless of where someone decides to purchase a tree, it's always wise to talk directly to the builder and explain in great detail what you want built. David Bernard built both of my saddles and a couple more for others with Bowden trees and they were great quality saddles. In most cases, he sent a template of the horse's back to Mr. Bowden and he built the trees to fit the horse or mule individually at no extra charge. He also sent in pictures of the original saddles and specified what he wanted or didn't want in the reproduction.

I do agree that his prices are higher than the rest and his turn-around time is much slower. He's primarily a commercial saddle tree maker and his specialty trees seem to take a back seat in priority.