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Tattered-Dreams β Mega Tack Tutorial Part 1 - Saddle Basics
Published: 2012-05-13 23:35:53 +0000 UTC; Views: 82651; Favourites: 940; Downloads: 0
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Description
Its finally here!!!!
Part one of the huge series of tutorials I'm planning.
For full details on all the tutorials to follow, go here: [link]
Horses:
Mistletoe Kisses
Faerie Promise
Walking with Angels
Peregrin Took
Explanations:
First - I am not trying to insult anyone's intelligence with this. Not at all. I am simply starting right at the very, very beginning, with the idea that someone who has never looked at a saddle in real life before, can learn as much about drawing them as someone who rides daily.
Second - side saddles will be covered entirely separately.
Third - This is information that I personally have gathered. People have different methods of tacking up, or different names for saddle parts all over the world, so it may simply be that I know a different variation. By all means, ask if you think anything I've said is outright wrong; but I have endeavoured to ensure it is all factual.
Fourth - Please, please pay attention to my rules of use. I really want this to be useful for anyone here on DA who wants it, but it took a lot of time and I will remove it if my work is not respected
This Tack Series is intended primarily for HARPG use, but should be relatable to rl situations.
In rl, a saddler or more experienced person should be called on to correctly fit a saddle, as I haven't gone into detail on fit of the panels around the shoulders. You can't rely solely on this to fit a saddle to a real horse!
The how to draw section was added due to a mixed response from my watchers. Some wanted it, others wanted more focus on other parts. I decided it couldn't hurt to add in that extra bit.
When Drawing: Just remember you don't have to do it this way. I don't even do it this way; but I used to, because it was easier when I didn't understand shapes in my mind so well. And always remember that sketches can be shoddy and scribbly and you can change them. Don't try to get it perfect on the first attempt. You'll drive yourself mental, I guarrantee it.
Rules:
Do not, under any circumstances:
Distribute this image anywhere off of DA! Copy any of the images/artwork/text on it for use in your own art or tutorials. Leave comments saying "That's not how I do it!" (As I said, I'm aware everyone has different methods) Disrespect my artwork by ignoring these rules. I want to share this, and I am really eager to get the whole series out, but I will take them down if I find it distributed without my permission, or any of the images used elsewhere.Please do:
Learn from it what you want Ask questions if there's something you don't understand Link back to it if you use it in your own work for any reason Link it to anyone you know, if they're looking for something to help them with tack Send me a link if you use it to help your artwork - I really want to see people benefit and I'd love to see what comes of your work!Next up: Bridle Basics. Featuring more of the Lakewood Horses.
Once the Basics tutorials are over, the specific ones can start. It is these ones that I will be borrowing the volunteered horses for; so you still have a little bit to wait. But thank you so much to those who've let me borrow horses ahead of time
I won't lie to you - so I don't know when the next bit will be up. I'd like to see how this goes down first, but I promise, I will try not to take forever.
I utterly lost count of how much time went into this.
Tiny sketches scanned in and everything done on Photoshop, with text typed in paint then embedded.
Believe this if you want or not - but no refs were used. Just a heck of a lot of experience, obsession and research over the years
Art, characters and tutorial image are copyright to ~Tattered-Dreams
Do not take, copy, edit, redistribute or manipulate.
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Comments: 150
I did this so so long ago that I honestly can't remember what was said in it back then. All I can say now is that I've ridden both English and Western and I think a lot of it is down to preference and individuality.
I ride English far more, so I'm more familiar with the feel of an English saddle and can comfortably sit in one for hours. But I do find western ones comfortable though I've just had less opportunity to sit in them as much. Many different cuts of western saddle are actively designed to be comfortable for long-term riding and they tend to encourage a more relaxed posture than that of English riding. But really what it comes down to is you as an individual and what you know and find best.
Thanks for the comment and the thoughts on it!
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Thanks for replying!
I started out riding Western and the saddles were fine for riding in for my lesson but if I had to sit in one for overnight it would be very uncomfortable, although since they were lesson saddles they were probably worn and old so maybe that was a factor. When I started English I liked the saddles more, even if I had to get used to how they felt. To me, the leather used in making English saddles seemed "softer" to me? I still like English saddles more
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Yeah lesson saddles would generally get more worn down by lots more use, and lots of different people in them. They should also be fitted for the horse/pony and not the rider to any extent, because the rider changes so much. When you have your own horse, its a bit easier to get a saddle fitted to their back as well as your seat which adds to comfort. I can't be certain for the leather because types and treatment will vary a lot between brands and how they're handled afterwards but western leather I think does tend to be thicker at least. Then again; you can get quilted seats/suede padding and so on for western saddles which you see far less in English ones. so really it comes back to individual makes and experiences I think. But whatever is better for you no one can tell you otherwise!
As for posting - you generally don't post in a western saddle. Its an entirely different style of riding and as just one part of that your stirrups are meant to be worn much longer. You sit to the trot in a western saddle whereas its traditional to rise in an English one so if you started in Western ones you wouldn't have been taught to post. Its correct, but yeah - I can definitely see how that might lead to memories of it being more uncomfortable because its one of the bounciest gaits to learn when you don't rise to it. When you know, sitting trot is fine, but when you're learning you feel like a sack of potatoes being thrown around
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I do understand that posting is traditionally English but idk, I think posting is good for any kind of riding. I think it can help you feel like you are in rhythmΒ and in syncΒ with the horse.Β
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Sorry this took ages to reply to! But yes; I agree that posting is good for any kind of riding. It's very good to help teach balance and rhythm as you said, and you can also help to control pace with it. I don't think it's taught traditionally with western riding because of the different approach (And the longer stirrups make it harder) but that's not to say it wouldn't be useful
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I used this to help with these pictures; Sssshire... Bagginssss... and Through the Woods
Thanks for the resource!!!
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Good start - glad I could help
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Oh my goodness, I was looking for this since ages! Truly a life-saver, if you ask me :3 Thank you a lot for sharing!
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You have? Glad to help then XD Thank you so much for the comment, and you're welcome, I guess haha
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You're welcome! Also, re-reading the rules I've noticed I forgot to mention you in the credits: mistake fixed (even though DA doesn't let me add the link to the tutorial itself, and I can't understand why :/)!
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Thanks for crediting (nice work, too - saddles aren't always easy, especially if you don't work with them closely). It is odd that dA won't let you link it, but sometimes it does glitch.
You should be able to copy either the fav.me link or the thumb into your artist comment section. It'll drop the thumbnail in, but if you hover over it, there should be black boxes that say 'link' 'draw' 'remove'. just clicking the link one should change it to a hyperlink. But as I said, dA can be tricky.
(failing that, if you copy the fav.me link into word, put a space in it (anywhere you want), then copy it back into your artist comment and remove the space. That gets around dA's coding that automatically makes it an image ^^)
Good luck with your future tack endeavours
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It was a mistake on my part, since you clearly wrote on the description that it was required to link back when using c: I'm sorry for having got back to you so late!
Yup, I've noticed that from time to time DA goes a bit on the glitchy side, so I'm not really surprised. However I'll try that, let's see if that helps c: Thank you!
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No worries
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Thank you! Glad you think so
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This is very well done and helpful. Thank you!
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Thank you ^^ I remember trying to cram so much info in when I did this, but I'm really glad its been a useful resource and not too cluttered
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I think it would be a great idea if you could offer this for sale as a poster... it would be very helpful to put up in lesson barns, for example! (Minus the how to draw bit). Β I didn't see a link where I could actually buy it.
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No, it's not actually for sale. At the time I did it, it was primarily to assist in understanding saddles, and aiding in learning to draw them, aimed at HARPG players on dA.
I'm working more and more on selling my artwork, and this could well be a poster one day, but I would want to put it through an update first (plus, as you said, this has a 'how to draw' section that isn't too relevant for stables or equine classes). Keep an eye out, but as for right now its not for use as a poster or for any purpose other than those I've stated.
Thank you for your comment and your faith in it as a learning tool, though. I appreciate it
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Awesome! Both helpful for drawing and real life interractions with horses and saddles!
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Thank you! That was exactly the idea of it
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This is great! I love how much detail you've put in to it, especially about how there are two types of ways to do up a western girth. Not many people remember to put that in tutuorials.
Great job!
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Thank you! The way I figured it, there were plenty of (no offence intended) half-assed tutorials on tack out there, so I took this on with the idea of making it as complete as possible, not just to share the basics. That included explaining different ways of securing different girths
Anyway, I'm really glad you liked the tutorial, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment on it ^^
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Yep, that's the plan! Its just sadly taking a lot longer than I intended
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Awesome! Well, keep on truckin' - this has been a massive help
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Will do
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It says that the stirrup bar can not come free in an accident, but that's actually not true. The other day when I was riding the saddle slipped and I didn't manage to get my foot out of the stirrup so the hinge went back down and the stirrup fell off, pretty handy
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Some saddles are like that; the hinge has been worn loose over time, or is just well oiled/fitted so that it does drop easier. You may find them on new saddles or at the other end of the spectrum, on saddles used by riding schools, for instance, where they may be lifting them up and down and swapping stirrups constantly.
The idea is that if the bar is up, it shouldn't drop down of its own accord, but then, as you said, if its up and you get into an accident, its pretty handy if the hinge is looser. Anyway, because its intended to remain up, that's why I've said that. This is a basics tutorial and it does generalise in places
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I see, thanks for clearing that up
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No problem
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I already knew this, but this is a really great tutorial. I love it.Β
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Thanks! I'm glad you think so ^^
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Great tutorial with beautiful illustrations and easy to understand explanations, I learnt so much from this! Have you made the bridle tutorial yet, and if not would you consider adding the Micklem Multibridle in there?
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Thank you so much
The bridle tutorial is maybe half done...I work on it in pieces when I can. It is all laid out, though and like this tutorial - it's not focused on any particular bridle. Its just about the bridle as a whole; parts, fitting, storage and a bit about ways to hold reins. Types of saddle and bridle are going to be addressed in the later tutorials, and that's when specific ones will get some attention.
That said, I know a little about the multibridle but I've never worked with them personally, so I don't know specifically about their fitting or use. I'm always happy to do my own research, so I may look into them some more and feature them in the types of bridle tutorial. I will definitely try, since it's good to know that I'm including things people actually want
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Okay, thank you for the quick answer!
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Love this, I learned quite a bit about english saddles from it! However, I have a horse taking into endurance, and have no idea how to draw endurance saddles, would you consider a tut on them?
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Thank you! I'm really glad you learned something from it
As for Endurance saddles, that's a little awkward. In the 'types of saddle' part of this tutorial series I have planned to feature an endurance saddle, but there isn't actually any single one that is used for the discipline (unlike dressage, which has a distinct saddle). Some people compete in a general purpose english saddle, some people compete in lightweight western trail saddles (sometimes synthetic ones, rather than leather). There are a number of styles of treeless saddle which are marketed for endurance riders because they're designed to be comfortable for someone in the saddle for long hours. A treeless saddle is one I'd planned on featuring.
But because all these different kinds of saddles can be used for the discipline, they'd take up an entire tutorial on their own, and I have a big enough task with what's already planned. In the end, the type of saddle (and bridle, headgear,boots and other equipment) all comes down to preference. What is best for the rider and the horse? Once you decide on a saddle, the best suggestion I have is to just study a lot of photos of it. Even treeless saddles retain some basic shape so you can experiment with adapting the 'how to draw' steps for either the english or western saddle in this tutorial, since saddles vary a lot anyway
And if you decide on a saddle and want some specific tips on how to draw it, feel free to drop me a link of a photo and I'll be happy to help
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I see what ya mean, so I decided to research, I found that Australian saddles seem to be listed as "Endurance" saddles in some magazines. There didn't seem to be many actual western saddles that looked light enough to be good endurance saddles (since I'm assuming you'd want the lighest saddle possible), but I did find something called "Trekker" saddles, that were basically lightweight western saddles with and without horns, and those looked like a possible thing to use, and finally, I found a more english saddle that had extra padding in the seat and was advertised as a good endurance saddle and long distance trail riding. It's the "EquiRoyal Comfort Trail Saddle". All 3 types have back hooks, more than the average english or western saddle, and I'm assuming you want those extra back hooks in order to take the correct supplies.
As for your treeless saddles, I'd still be interested in a tut showing those, as I've never heard of them (only treeless barrel racing saddles as far as treeless goes). I've seen the treeless barrel saddles up close and seen people ride in them and I actually really like them, and I think if the saddle you're talking about is similar to those, then it'd be very light and comfy for both horse and rider. I'd still love to see you're "endurance tack tut" with the treeless saddle as I've never seen one designed for endurance, provided you had the time of course. I just love your tuts cause they are very explanatory and make sense, which can be hard to find in tuts.
I might take you up on that offer. I'm not only considering taking up endurance with the horse, but I need to show some old (and I mean old as in 3 years ago uploaded old lol) horses that are warmbloods and don't fit into the disciplines I've taken too, and want to try to show them and resell later on, but I'm so iffy on the english tack it isn't even funny lol Cause I have an idea of it, but it's a foreign world to me.
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Yes, Australian saddles are also used for endurance riding. Many western saddles are too heavy, you're right, but as you've found, there are a couple of odd ones that work. This is a western saddle used for endurance riding: [link] . And as I mentioned, there are synthetic saddles (either with or without horns) that are visually similar to a western saddle, but much lighter. That comes down to preference too, though - I personally can't stand synthetic saddles. English saddles with padded seats are another option and one that I quite like. Basically there's a lot of variations of a basic english or western saddle that make them better for distance riding.
There are a lot of different treeless saddles, too: [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] and then if you want reeeeeaaally lightweight - [link] . For the endurance saddle feature in the types of saddle tutorial I'd planned on doing a treeless saddle, because they are quite different from english or western ones, and they are popular, but I just won't have time to do an entire tutorial for all the types of endurance saddle. The purpose of studying lots of different types is to point out why they work - ie, a dressage saddle has a deep seat and straight flaps to make aids more secure and show off the shoulder movement. A cutting saddle has a deep seat to keep the rider secure with the horse making sharp movements. And endurance saddle needs to fit very comfortably for both horse and rider, be light weight and fairly flat - so you can lift out of it easily. Having it synthetic can also help because it'll fare better in bad weather and you can clean it quicker. That's the kind of thing I'll focus on in the types of saddle tutorial. How to draw them, fit them, adjust them and whatnot is all (or mostly) here, so its just about adapting little bits for the different types of saddle.
I'm really glad you think my tutorials work well and help. There's just so much diversity in saddles its impossible to cover them all, so I've had to get across the most significant parts. That means there isn't so much focus on any single discipline (other than side saddle, which I am doing separate because that brings on a whole host of different rules). I think its really great you're putting so much effort and thought into it, though
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All my saddles are rough out barrel saddles or full leather cutting/reining saddles 
Those saddles are no where near what the treeless barrel saddles I'm used to look like 
If I'm not familiar in something, I definitly try to study up as much as I can. I've never ridden english, but went with some friends to jumping clinic, the clinician said to go over the ground poles in 2-point, and I knew what it was when the girls in the clinic did not, so even if I don't compete in something myself, I try to be knowledgeable in it so I understand what is happening anytime I watch. Endurance isn't largely done where I am (despite being in the desert and mountain region of Califonia), so it's a different thing for me. I never really put much thought into it, I knew the basics, you needed certain things like the health kits and usually a breast plate and possible croupper to keep your saddle in place, and that you needed a saddle, but I got to thinking about seeing different saddles and got curious and now that I'd like to start doing artwork of the event, I'd like a little more knowledge of it
Thank you again for even this, just getting anything I can will soak in and fill in the blanks or concrete the other spots
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Yeah - riding in a forward cut wintec in college really put me of synthetics XD
And haha; yeah, endurance treeless saddles can look kind of quirky. In some ways, they can resemble portuguese tack - [link] [link] . Comfort is a key thing with endurance tack. Comfort and weight. And that's for you and the horse. As for the stirrup, having a wider base is a bit of a support thing. It gives you more to press against and helps keep your foot from slipping (especially if it has grip pads or ridging). If you're in a two point position over rough terrain, that's quite important. Then you can get cage stirrups - [link] (I just found this, too, and I quite like this saddle - [link] ) which are designed to keep the foot in place by not allowing it to slip forward. A foot slipping out of the stirrup is one thing, but if the foot slips too far forward and the horse stumbles, misses a stride or anything else, you could get your foot stuck or twisted and possibly break it. Even worse, you could break it and still have it stuck then get dragged. They're not mandatory, but especially for younger kids, or people who are prone to putting the stirrup under the middle of the foot, rather than the ball, they're good tools just to be safe. Technically your leg doesn't 'rest' when you ride. Even when you're not applying aids, it should be in place and ready. A sure, independent seat isn't possible without the legs. Wide or cage stirrups just offer extra support or stability; the work is still all up to you
And I'm like that, too. I studied up on western riding for years before ever sitting in a western saddle, and I've only done that a few times, but I know lots more of the theory, even without the practice. Similarly I know a lot about bareback riding and natural horsemanship than I've ever actually done. I think its a really great attitude to research and teach yourself
And you're welcome! I'm just glad if my ramblings help ^^
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I had the "cage" type on my saddle when I was a wee little girl, those little pony saddles, yup, totally had one on there...I actually am the freak when it comes to my stirrups, I ride better without them usually - bareback included - and my foot has to sit in the middle, not on the ball. My ankles don't twist/turn/roll that way, so I make sure to have a good heel on my boots. My ankles hardly move at all without causing pain or numbness
I know quite a bit about natural horsemanship, since that's how our friend trains and she had my mare for a while before I got her, and bareback wise, my favorite time in the saddle, is without the saddle. Riding bareback is my release....I like teaching myself, I'm able to understand things better, and cause I'm a question asker (if you haven't noticed), it's just easier to do it one on one or by myself so I can search things.
I'm a total rambler, and sadly it is worse when I'm tired...
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I know a number of other people who experience pain from riding - legs, ankles, back, neck etc. I say that your leg should be correct and ready all the time and all this other stuff, and its true, but I completely understand that riding is a joy and a release from stress for a lot of people and they find ways to keep doing it, despite pain. So if you enjoy riding, and you've found ways to make it possible to ride more, I'd say keep on with that and don't worry so much about riding 'properly'. Yes, some methods of riding can actually cause harm to the horse (for instance if your back aches down one side so you sit over to the right of the saddle. That means you can ride without pain, but over time, always sitting to the right can damage the horse's spine, muscles, way of going and the damage can worsen) but things like riding without stirrups, or having the stirrup in the wrong place don't really cause the horse a problem - riding without stirrups is actually very good for your balance and seat, too. And I've been told in college that all the stirrup is, is a place to put your foot - ideally, as a rider you should be capable of applying all aids and riding securely without stirrups at all (yes, even a rising trot).
Anyway, that's enough of that
I know quite a bit of NH, too. I've never owned my own horse (I fell in love with one four years ago, couldn't keep him and haven't been in a rush to replace him since) but NH has always fascinated me - Lakewood uses a lot of it in my rp stories and art. I studied Monty Roberts for a while, and went to one of his seminars, and in recent years I started studying Pat Parelli. I went to one of his weekend celebrations about horsenality, and I worked with an Arabian gelding for a few months using Parelli techniques as part of my university project. Since then, I've come to disagree with some of Parelli's teachings, but NH as a whole I still think highly of. But other than a couple of seminars and work with a horse, most of what I know is also self researched/taught. I definitely like that best, too - you're right about the fact that its easier, because you can move at your own pace, and even study off on a tangent if something interests you
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OMG, the time this must have taken!
Thank you. As a HARPG'er with no RL access to horses, this is just amazing. 
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...It did take a while. I've had the bridle basics one half done for months, but things keep pushing it back. I can't wait until I can actually get them all posted
And that's exactly why I did this, so you're welcome ^^. There's a fair few tack tutorials already, but they were all very simple (in my eyes) and not much good for someone who doesn't have a starting point at all. Something I've always believed is that if you understand the mechanics of something and how it works, it becomes much easier to draw - which is why I wanted to cover everything I could.
I have an 'equipment' tutorial planned, but who knows how long that will take to get out, and that's going to cover halters, foal slips, rugs, boots, bandages and other bits and bobs that aren't always just for riding. Some may be useful for a young horse, but Keira may have grown up by the time I get it done XD
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