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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you know the difference between Solid Silver, Sterling Silver Overlay and Sterling Silver Plate?
If not, here is some information that may be helpful.
Types of Silver
2. What is the difference between Solid Sterling, Sterling Overlay, Silver Plated, Alpaca, and German Silver/Nickle Silver?
The quality is this from best and most expensive to the least quality and expense:
a. Solid Sterling - is 925/1000 or 92.5% silver, and 7.5% copper, this is fixed by law to be called "Sterling Silver"
b. Sterling Overlay or Overlaid - is a layer of 25% solid sterling overlaid onto another metal. Overlay hold it's brilliance and will last many years.
c. Silver Plated - is made by electroplating fine silver on a base metal alloy, usually of nickelsilver, Britannia metal, brass or copper. This costs less, but will wear through and not hold it's brilliance.
d. Alpaca/ German Silver /Nickle Plate ( an alloy of coper, nickle and zinc, generally a mix of 10% nickel, 50% Copper, and 49% zinc and really contains no silver at all)
How to read Circle Y Serial Tags
Circle Y Serial Numbers
1. How do I read the Circle Y serial numbers?
According to Circle Y the number system changed in 2004 so we will address saddles prior to 2004 first.
Example: Serial number 175557019601 the 9th and 10th numbers indicate the year the saddle was made.
Example: Serial number: 175557019601 this 5th number indicates the tree size, a number 5 = Full Quarter, and any other number = a semi quarter tree.
Example: Serial number 175557019601 this 8th number indicates the color of the saddle.
#0 = Dark Oil
#1 = Walnut
#4 = Regular Oil
#7 = Ultra Light
#8 = Pecan
#9 = Light
After 2004 Number system
The last number on the serial number indicates the tree size, a #4 = Semi Quarter tree, a #5 = a Full Quarter tree.
How to Measure a saddle seat
The most accurate way to measure a saddle is from the point at bottom of the pommel at the front of the seat to where the padding starts at the cantle, this will give you the actual size for your rear.
Most saddles are measured however to the beginning of the leather on the cantle as shown.
How to measure the Bars
To measure the width of the "Bars" on a saddle, I will generally use the conchos as a guage across the front of the saddle as shown.
Semi Quarter bars are from 6.5" to 6. 3/4"
Arabian Bars 6.3/4" - 7"
Full Quarter Horse Bars start at 7"
Semi Quarter Bars are said to fit approximately 80 % of the horses.
Arabian Bars are shorter front to back then the Semi Quarter or Full Quarter to fit the shorter backed horses.
Some of the wider breed horses such as Paints, some Arabians, and Morgans may require Full Quarter Horse Bars to accomodate the wider sholdered horse.
How to measure the skirt
The lenght of the skirt is measured front to back as shown on this last saddle.
The length of the skirt is important if you own a short backed horse.
Most of the Arabian saddles measure 26" on the skirt length to accomodate the shorter backed horse.
Many of the National Show Horse bred horses can use up to a 27.5" skirt.
Skirt lengths can go up to 30" and what length is best is dependant upon the horses back length.
A long bodied horse will look better in a longer skirt then a short backed horse.
How should a saddle fit
The saddle should fit behind the horses shoulder and in front of the horses hip as shown in the photos below.
A saddle that goes further then the point of the hip will generally not be balanced on the horse back and may cause pain to the horse.
You should be able to slide your hand under the saddle behind the horses shoulder and feel the bars of the saddle fit comfortably on the horses back behind the shoulder blade.
We hope that this information has been helpful to you.
Cindy Turner
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