How to ride like the man who brought the Aussie saddle to America in 1979.
The famous and celebrated Australian artist Peter Byrne says I have a face that looks like it has been partied in, as well as lived in!!
Thanks fore the portrait, Peter. But thanks MUCH MORE for the logo for my new company, COLINDANGAARD INC. My face and the face of the crocodile have something in common -- all teeth!!
I have been fitting saddles to horses for over half a century. Over 10,000 saddles directly fitted to horses and mules, and 86,000 custom saddle fitting consultations to date. No person alive has fitted more. I have figured it out. The comfort of this noble animal is my passion.
I work with all saddles, although I am famous for being the first person to successful market a new saddle in America in 300 years -- the Australian stock saddle, in 1979. But the horse does not care what saddle it is. He has only one concern -- does it hurt? He does not know if it is English, Western, Australian or Calathumpian.
So here is what I do at my ranch in Malibu:
# Measure the back of the horse, with a gauge I helped invent, and use these angles to RESHAPE any tree to fit a particular horse.
# Reshape trees to fit horses from measurements supplied by the owners.
# Fix broken trees and restore saddles from the tree on out. We are masters at making leather look like new -- even better!
# Replace fleece panels, re-stuff horsehair or wool panels, in accordance with back measurements supplied.
# Fix and/or customize any harness equipment or tack.
# Repair most items made from leather -- bags, purses, belts. ( No coats, boots or couches!! )
# Custom holsters to fit particular guns or knives, using exotic skins or regular cowhide.
# You photograph the equipment that needs to be fixed or modified, text it to (818) 309-8125 and we will give you a quote.
# Take in saddles on consignment. We clean them, make sure they are safe, get the best price we can, take 30 per cent commission -- and send you a check.
# If you are looking for a good used saddle, we have heaps! We will fit one to YOUR horse at a price that will make your pocketbook smile!
Be sure to check out the unique bareback saddles we build in Malibu, and we frequently have previously owned or traded-in models. Call for pricing. We can customize any saddle from the tree up.
Colin jumping his favorite mare, BREEZE.
Colin got the horse for free, because she loved to start every ride with a buck. Well, she still bucks. As Colin says: "I could ask her not to do that, but I kind of like it. She's not trying to get rid of me, it's just one of those feel-good bucks. Quite enjoyable!"
Colin is wearing his usual summer riding gear!!
