A Gibbins Road woman is mourning the loss of two "priceless" horse saddles after they were stolen from her tack room over the weekend.

Kim Renée Coté said the long weekend was supposed to be one of family time, joy and laughter but it has turned to heartbreak upon learning two of her prized possessions have been targeted by thieves. Police have been notified of the theft.

"What is strange is that the thieves knew what they wanted, somehow got in and out without being detected and took only two prized western saddles, leaving everything else, including several English saddles that would have been easier to carry," she wrote in an email to the Citizen. "The heartbreak is that they are irreplaceable."

One is a Dennis Banzette burgundy saddle, heavily chromed and hand-carved.

The other is "an irreplaceable" Vic Bennett ranch saddle of rich chestnut leather, with basket weaving.

Both saddles have matching breast collars.

"The memories that the saddles stood for is what feels a heavy burden of loss," Coté explained. Her stallion, LL Playing Leopard won the Canadian championship wearing the Denis Banzette saddle and the other, "is the saddle I love so much that I took up into the Rocky Mountains and was also used to break my colts to pony by the side of my dearly trustful dun horse," she said.

Coté said she would post a reward for their safe return.

"Please keep on the look out and help spread the word," she urged. "I feel as if a part of my body is missing. It is a sad day."

RESOURCE: By Sarah Simpson, CitizenNovember 16, 2012, Canada.com, http://www.canada.com/Saddles+stolen+owner+devastated/7558279/story.html