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Re: [RC] Off billets... why not?? - Ed & Wendy Hauser"Follow-up question: do off-billets need to be the 2" or so width, or could I have a set made in 1" wide biothane? Does a product like that exist already? (The only reason I'm thinking narrower is to hold down the cost.)" My personal opinion is that the western saddle tradition uses much heavier rigging than is required. Western riders also tend to tighten the chincha much tighter than is required. I believe that there are two reasons for this. First, If one is roping rank cows, things have to be very strong. Are you anticipating roping large, rank cows? Myself, even though my new horse has been a ranch horse, I would have no idea how to get a rope on a cow, or what to do with it after I got it there. Secondly, typically western saddles do not properly fit the horses, thus they must be very tightly cinched to stay on. I wondered why the first mare we sent to our trainer came back a bit chinchy until I watched the trainer saddle another horse. In her defense, she had to use one saddle on all the horses she was training, so it didn't fit most of them properly. I suspect that a lot of riders get in the habit of tightening things much more than required, even after they get a properly fitting saddle. All that said, 1" biothane is probably as strong as a normal latago, especially after the leather is in use for awhile. I changed Wendy's older OF endurance from western rigging to dressage length English, by sewing (by hand) biothane billets and purchasing an elastic end, neoprene girth. (Wintec I believe, but I have used brands with good success. Professionals Choice was an exception.) It works great. There are also systems to convert with a different method sold somewhere, but I can't remember where (Sporttack???) If going to buckle system, having two billets does make saddling etc. much easier. Girths with stainless steel roller buckles are also worth the extra cost. Note: When putting the holes in biothane use a hot nail or soldering iron to seal the edges and cut ends. If you do this the billets will last a long time. Mine are ~5 years old and I think have another year or two left. Leather only lasted me 2 years between replacements. Ed Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower Road Victor, MT 59875 ranch@xxxxxxxxxxx 406.642.6490 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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