In my saddle work, I am emboldened with the desire to produce something that provides as much stability and comfort as possible for both parties. A feeling of safety and comfort is central to a quality connection and the physical well-being of all.
I am additionally dedicated to offering aesthetics that feel balanced and cohesive in whatever style the customer prefers.
Many of my builds feature traditional styles and durability combined with modern saddle-fit information which is constantly updated as new studies emerge. I strive to build high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces that look and feel just right.
The Process
After an initial fit/design consultation either local or virtual, we will select the best high-quality saddle tree maker for your needs. Proper trees are usually hand-made by masters of their craft and take between 3-6 months for delivery. I prefer fiberglass-covered wood trees, but I will use rawhide-covered tree upon request. Once your tree is finished, it is best to see how well it has met our fit parameters before proceeding with the build. If the tree is not quite right, but close, it can usually be modified by hand and we may proceed. If it is way off, the tree will need to be re-ordered with the related adjustments.
Once all aesthetic decisions have been made such as leather color, which parts of the saddle shall be the smooth “grain” side of the leather or the “rough out” suede side, which parts shall receive decorative stamping, etc, the build can begin. There are no strong limits on design and I will do my best to provide my personal interpretation of your desired style while maintaining all functional concerns. I often have requests for light-weight saddles with a traditional look and while I am not willing to sacrifice build quality to make truly “feather-weight” saddles, I have built several in the ~30lb range by reducing the thickness of many non-essential pieces and other weight saving measures.
The seat profile of a saddle will be determined first and foremost by the primary rider’s skeletal anatomy. The geometry of the pelvis and femurs of an individual must match the contour and center of balance of the saddle seat in order to provide the best balance and long-term comfort. I believe horses have a strong preference for carrying the most centered load possible so this affects all involved. Any other specific seat shape requests will be integrated as well.
Pricing
Full Custom Saddle Build: $5000.00USD
Included:
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Natural Tone Leather in either rough-out or smooth finish
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Flat Plate Rigging
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Rear Cinch
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Your choice of stirrup style
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Rope strap (if desired)
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Full length tie Latigos on both sides
Popular options:
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Border Stamp: $350
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3/4 Stamp (all parts but seat and fenders): $850
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Padded seat inlay: $400
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Special color leather: $300, subject to availability
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Matching breast collar: $250-350 depending on stamping.
