Hi, I have 3 McClellan trees, an 11 & 2 12 inch... One of the 12 inch seats is much heavier because of some metal loops on the pommel & cantle, tie loops? For a martingale & crupper? I have no idea. I think the saddle is a 1917 model. It has a date but hard to decipher. Can you help me with why there are metal loops fore & aft? I see trees like this now & then.

Also, what is the hubbub about the stirrup loops giving way? I would like to use this tree and don't want to fear the brass/steel going south!

That's enough for now, thank you for your time!