Flint Gallery: Model Horse Western Saddles

WESTERN SADDLES

empty empty empty

Vintage Chris Flint Western Saddles
Back in the early 1980's, Chris made some of the most impressive tack the hobby has seen, then or now! The far right piece pictured here actually had gold filigree stamped into it!

empty Vintage Western Saddle
Created circa 1980.

empty Vintage Western Side Saddle
Created circa 1980.

empty Vintage Western Saddle
Created circa 1980.

empty Vintage Western Saddle
Created circa 1980.

empty Vintage Western Saddle
Created circa 1980.

empty Vintage Western Saddle
Created circa 1980.

empty Vintage Western Saddle
Dyed and tooled circa 1984; completed 2007. Chris describes this piece: Recently "discovered" a couple of saddles that I had tooled and dyed way back in 1984. I took some time a couple of weekends ago and put one of these saddles together. This is a "Classic" scale saddle pictures on one of my "Pregnant Pause" resins. And as you can see, it is fully carved (not just stamped with a design) and even has tiny "Decorative Cuts" and raised petals - just like the finest full-sized leathercarving would have. Being one of my old saddles (dating from WAY before Rio Rondo ever made kits!), there is no "tree" in this saddle. It is formed entirely out of leather. In the future, I will be using mostly the Rio Rondo patterns with brand-new, original carving designs.

empty Western Saddle
Completed 2008. First saddle after 24 year break. In progress photos below.
empty empty empty

empty Western Saddle
Created 2008. Chris describes the saddle: This one is a corner tooled working type saddle. Not super fancy and NO additional silver. It has a couple of different features; a different "welt" (seam) down the pommel. I put a narrow strip of skiver over the seam to help hide it and it really makes that pommel look "seamless"! The other thing I did differently is that I cut the tooled cantle piece a little narrower. The bridle I made is a simple strap headstall with a unique bit made from a Rio Rondo etched bit with a concho attached to either side. The reins are hand-braided embroidery floss that match the set and drape nicely. They will fit into the hands of a doll rider easily as well.

empty Western Saddle
Created 2008.

Corona saddle pad in red and white
Created 2009. Chris describes the creation: You know what they say about "Necessity is the Mother of invention" - right? Well, I really needed a Corona Saddle Pad to go with this cool Parade set I just got from Vicky Norris, but I could not afford to BUY one. So I had to figure out how to **make** one. Now I am having WAY too much fun making these when I am "watching TV" with my Husband on the weekends.

empty

Corona saddle pad in black and white
Created 2009. Chris describes the creation: This is an OLD saddle I made way back in 1981!

empty

Corona saddle pad in red, white and blue
Created 2009. Chris describes the creation: I incorporated some metallic threads into as an "experiment" and I am thrilled with how it turned out! I love the "sparkle" and I love the more "raffia-like" texture (as opposed to the fuzzy/fluffy texture).

empty empty Tricked out tack box
Created 2008.

Back to Harness

Up to the Flint Gallery Home Page

Return to the Model Horse Gallery Home Page