I hear a lot of talk about latigo-leather , so I looked it up!

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards,
I know this is a dumb question,  What makes  latigo-leather  so desirable? When David told you guys about the saddle shops he and a friend had bought out, he mentioned right of that there would be no  latigo-leather for sale! I hate to be so stupid, but when i looked it up, i didn't learn much!
So Hopefully you all can help me out, so i will know what it is used for and why it is s special?
Thanks ACE

[RollingThunder]

Latigo leather is good for certain pieces of harness and tack, and is specially oiled and waxed during the tanning process. It could be a little "greasy" to shed water and sweat from a horse without much degradation to the leather. Drum-dyed latigo is usually considered the best for color retention. You'll find chrome-tanned latigo leather used in the latigo ties on the sides of saddles that connect the cinches/girths to the D-ring rigging in the saddles. This is because, to a degree, the chrome tan latigo leather will stretch and expand and contract with a horse's ribcage during breathing, sort of similar to a modern elastic-ended english girth. Retan leather is a little denser and a little less stretchy, and alum tanned latigo leather is about the densest latigo, and is what you use for non-stretching leather goods (such as the top section of a full-bates rig on an Aussie saddle).

Obviously, it's wear capabilities and the ability to shed water and sweat make it great for all manner of heavy-duty bag goods, such as saddle bags, etc.

At least, that's my limited knowledge of the product anyway. I'd imagine someone will be along to correct anything I got wrong. 

[Ace Lungger]

Thanks RM,
I had heard the word used, and had no Idea of what it was! I didn't mean anything when I commented about your living, I just thought as good of quality as you do, that that was you livly hood. i very much like your work! And I am allways glad to see new peices.
Thank you for the explaintion!
ACE

[RollingThunder]

LOL, Ace. I never took offense at it. Like a lot of folks on here, I wish I could do this for a living. I'm very happy doing what I do ... but all the same, if I could make a living on leather, I would.

[David Carrico]

The reason I stated that, is in my opinion the industry is really hurting for a good source of Latigo Leather. The old stuff I have is far superior to anything out there today. Siegel of California used to carry some, but I think their supplier went out of business. Let me know what you guys use and how you like it!
Ace, I'll show you some when you come to the shop!

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy David,
That sounds great! You know me, i want learn everything! i know that I will never use any of it but, I heard you and others mention it, so i had to find out was it was. I have just been waiting untill you got caught up before I got a hold of you to come over.
Thanks fella's
ACE