Having turned stirrups will allow you to ride more comfortably. If you are working as a packer, a guide or riding spring or fall gathers on larger ranges it become imperative. If you desire to be able to dismount and walk to your bunk without excruciating pain. Otherwise, you will end up crawling to the bunk, and if you get that midnight call, you'll wake the whole camp with your groans a cussin'. After the first two weeks of spending hour upon hour in the saddle your knees will become so sensitive that you won't want to put your feet in the stirrups. I have done the rod thing it is not very effective in my experience. What worked for me was to take the blevens buckle apart remove the rivets in the part with the pins. Remove and reverse the slide part used to secure the pins in the holes. Relocate the part with the pins so it faces the opposite direction, install new rivets and the soak the stirrup leathers as you said, put a twist in it, place back in the buckle and wrap some leather around the leathers to let them dry in place with the twist, so your stirrups always face front to back and never turn sideways on you like they do on most production saddles. If you want real comfort, take the belevens buckles completely off install a little longer stirrup leathers and punch oval holes an inch and three quarters apart (horizontally) and spacing them an inch apart up and down the leathers where you will want adjustment. Set your proper length and lace the leathers together with saddle string maintaining the same twist. This eliminates the hard bulge of the blevens buckles against your shins, which can also cause discomfort if you are living a horse back. Now you have to watch when leading you mount that you do not let the stirrups catch on branches, dead fall and other stirrup snagging debris.
You can do the Nevada twist with either way the blevins come in. I've done 2 saddles that had the blevins different ends. From watching the video you recommended
Something I've found beyond what you've done is to keep the fenders and stirrup leathers lathered with neatsfoot oil then stick it in your trailer with your dowel rod. It will keep them trained and soften everything up at the same time.
I love your dog.
Having turned stirrups will allow you to ride more comfortably. If you are working as a packer, a guide or riding spring or fall gathers on larger ranges it become imperative. If you desire to be able to dismount and walk to your bunk without excruciating pain. Otherwise, you will end up crawling to the bunk, and if you get that midnight call, you'll wake the whole camp with your groans a cussin'. After the first two weeks of spending hour upon hour in the saddle your knees will become so sensitive that you won't want to put your feet in the stirrups. I have done the rod thing it is not very effective in my experience. What worked for me was to take the blevens buckle apart remove the rivets in the part with the pins. Remove and reverse the slide part used to secure the pins in the holes. Relocate the part with the pins so it faces the opposite direction, install new rivets and the soak the stirrup leathers as you said, put a twist in it, place back in the buckle and wrap some leather around the leathers to let them dry in place with the twist, so your stirrups always face front to back and never turn sideways on you like they do on most production saddles.
If you want real comfort, take the belevens buckles completely off install a little longer stirrup leathers and punch oval holes an inch and three quarters apart (horizontally) and spacing them an inch apart up and down the leathers where you will want adjustment. Set your proper length and lace the leathers together with saddle string maintaining the same twist. This eliminates the hard bulge of the blevens buckles against your shins, which can also cause discomfort if you are living a horse back.
Now you have to watch when leading you mount that you do not let the stirrups catch on branches, dead fall and other stirrup snagging debris.
You can do the Nevada twist with either way the blevins come in. I've done 2 saddles that had the blevins different ends. From watching the video you recommended
Something I've found beyond what you've done is to keep the fenders and stirrup leathers lathered with neatsfoot oil then stick it in your trailer with your dowel rod. It will keep them trained and soften everything up at the same time.
That's a great call! I have a dowel rod through them right now.
Good stuff
Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster! . Are the best!!! And there fun for you to!!!