View Full Version : Platte Valley Saddle Shop
Excess
04-20-2007, 07:44 AM
I just want to let everyone know how wonderful these people are and what quality tack they have. I had the opportunity to meet the owners and they sure took care of me while I was looking at their tack. I ended up purchasing a mohair mecate, bosal hanger and bosal from them. All of it is amazing quality with a real nice feel. I sure didn't think I'd like the feel of a mohair mecate, but I love this one. I also got a shoofly from them and the most amazing chinks I've ever seen. They are cream colored moccaisin finish skin and ultra soft like elkskin but more durable. They have great tooling and fit like a glove. They have all real great vaquero tack and are 2nd generation. The store was started by their parents and they're no spring chickens either! Here is thier website: http://www.plattevalleysaddle.com/shop/ and here is a photo album of my tack. Since most of my tack is at the barn, I just have pictures of the tack that's at home which so happens to be just the Platte Valley Saddle Shop: http://pets.webshots.com/album/558689147Dcukvh
I just wanted to let everyone know as I don't think a lot of people have heard of them. I know I always like to hear about new tack places!
Congrats on your new gear Excess.............always fun to get new stuff to use, trade and hoard. There are a couple of felllas in our part of the world that ride saddles from those folks you did business with.....they like them, and from what I have seen, they look built right.
You probably realize this..........but just in case...........judging from the photo of your new hackamore rig, it looks like your new bosal needs to be shaped before you go to using it on your caballo. That "triangle" shape that a lot of new bosals have these days will be ineffective, rattle around on your pony's noggin, and peel the bark on his jaws. JW.
Excess
04-21-2007, 05:46 PM
Congrats on your new gear Excess.............always fun to get new stuff to use, trade and hoard. There are a couple of felllas in our part of the world that ride saddles from those folks you did business with.....they like them, and from what I have seen, they look built right.
You probably realize this..........but just in case...........judging from the photo of your new hackamore rig, it looks like your new bosal needs to be shaped before you go to using it on your caballo. That "triangle" shape that a lot of new bosals have these days will be ineffective, rattle around on your pony's noggin, and peel the bark on his jaws. JW.
Oh he's not ready for a bosal yet! We still have a but to go before he can go in it. I threw it on him quick to see how he accepted it but only for 3 minutes. He went well. But he's got a bit to go in the snaffle before he can go in the bosal. What do you mean about peel the bark on his jaws?
Excess, a hackamore needs to be shaped like a horse's face, and fit kinda like a good hat fits yer head. A proper shape will be more oval, oblong.....rather than triangle shaped. The nose button needs to follow the contour of the nose/face.........not just rest on the top of the face like a stick laying across it. If the bars/cheeks of the bosal are coming down in a V shape, then it will be rubbing on the jawbone of the horse.
Check out these photos of properly shaped bosals.............
This is one of mine: http://members.aol.com/bluestem82/page2/hackamore.gif
Cal Classics Hackamore : http://www.calclassics.net/images6/reedbosal.jpg
Benny Guitron's Ortega Hackamore : http://www.bennyguitron.com/articles/images/5eigthsortegahackamore.jpg
Excess
04-21-2007, 07:36 PM
Excess, a hackamore needs to be shaped like a horse's face, and fit kinda like a good hat fits yer head. A proper shape will be more oval, oblong.....rather than triangle shaped. The nose button needs to follow the contour of the nose/face.........not just rest on the top of the face like a stick laying across it. If the bars/cheeks of the bosal are coming down in a V shape, then it will be rubbing on the jawbone of the horse.
Check out these photos of properly shaped bosals.............
This is one of mine: http://members.aol.com/bluestem82/page2/hackamore.gif
Cal Classics Hackamore : http://www.calclassics.net/images6/reedbosal.jpg
Benny Guitron's Ortega Hackamore : http://www.bennyguitron.com/articles/images/5eigthsortegahackamore.jpg
JW - I understand the proper shape for them, but I'm confused as to HOW to shape them. I would think manipulating the rawhide would make the braid come loose? Or do use some sort of stretchers like with hondas?
Hey Exy..................don't worry about ruining your bosal by shaping it, this is rawhide we are talking about. Most of the bosals that I have purchased the last few years came from folks that know what a good hackamore is, and they required relatively little shaping. But, I have made myself a few shaping blocks that work well for me. A good bosal with a good core will hold a shape pretty well in short order..............plus I use mine everyday on a number of horses, and shape them with my hands as I go, which helps a lot. Here are a couple of links to show different bosal shaping blocks...........
Lost Buckaroo's shaper block : http://lostbuckaroo.com/prodimages/headgear/bosals/bosalblock.jpg
Brannaman's shaper block: http://houlihanhorsegear.com/shop/images/MI1000.jpg
fantasia
11-24-2007, 03:49 PM
Your chinks are beautiful. I tried to get on their website, but there's a placeholder in it's place. Guess I'll have to try again. Are you enjoying them and are they wearing well?
Excess
11-24-2007, 04:03 PM
Your chinks are beautiful. I tried to get on their website, but there's a placeholder in it's place. Guess I'll have to try again. Are you enjoying them and are they wearing well?
Thanks! They're wearing VERY well! Lol. They're wearing so well they're definitely not white anymore. I always wear them over my chaps and woolies. I wouldn't hesitate getting another one from them again.