Thank you , KS, for that interesting history. I didn't mean for you to go to any inconvenience researching, it's just me that generally likes things that most others aren't so interested in, anyway.

I do feel, what is a good Mtn. man without a good horse ? I would think they were attracted to good horses as much as they were the fur industry. Tools of success. And survival.

Those Indian "saddles" sounded horrible. I feel for the horses who had to endure ill-fitting gear . No wonder they stacked fur hides and blankets below and on top of them.

I do know the Mtn. men had their add-ons to saddles they used , some had a cross of Indian and more conventional cowboy gear .

I go back to the Nez Perce tribe...they were the only ones I've read who did everything for their herd care and training , the best techniques of the time.

I figured the 9ers would go to the super bowl this year after watching them a couple weeks ago.