Custom Saddles

The first step in the saddle making process is selecting the appropriate tree.  Since the tree is wood covered with rawhide, it cannot be changed once it is made.  What exactly are you looking for in a saddle?  What type of riding will the saddle be used for?  Is the saddle to be used for a specific horse or most horses (as one size fits all is an unrealistic notion in the saddle business)?  All questions to carefully be considered before deciding which tree is required to build your saddle.  A custom fit for your horse is just as important as the custom fit for you.

Once your saddle is started, it begins with cutting your saddle out.  It takes 2 ½ sides or more to build your saddle, or a little over one cow.  Due to strength and durability, only specific parts are cut out of different parts of the hide.   You want the stirrup leather to be strong and the chap leather on the padded seat to be the softest.

The next step in the process is putting in your ground seat.  This is a personal decision of the rider.  Riding discipline plays a factor.  Piece by piece your saddle is put together, sometimes an easy puzzle and sometimes the 1000 piece difficult puzzle.  The end result is a custom built saddle designed to fit your specific needs and your personality.

All projects, not just custom saddles are given careful thought and consideration.  We build saddles, chaps, headstalls, breast collars, reins, spur straps, belts, holsters, gun belts, saddle bags, day planners, briefcases, cell phone cases, photo albums, cuffs… rifle scabbards and cases, dog collars and leashes, trailing leads and harnesses (Search and Rescue)….if you can imagine it, we can build it!