Saddlemaking Video: Start to Finish
January 9, 2009 by Saddle Sense
Filed under Featured Posts, General Saddle Topics, Resources
The saddlemaking process is fascinating and complex. Keith Valley, an accomplished saddle maker, has created this wonderful time lapse photo slide show that documents the making of a saddle from start to finish. This is definitely a “must-see” for western riding enthusiasts. If you’re interested in learning more about saddlemaking, you’ll also want to check [...]
Plastic Western Saddles?
December 19, 2008 by Saddle Sense
Filed under General Saddle Topics, Happenings, Saddle Types
Sound crazy? Well, it’s true. During a short period of time in the 1940′s, the All Western Plastics Company in Nebraska produced plastic saddles. It was a short-lived venture with only 65 saddles produced, but they are a highly collectible item. Wyoming rancher, Tom Harrower, owns 46 of them and is always on the hunt [...]
Big Horn Lives On?
December 11, 2008 by Saddle Sense
Filed under General Saddle Topics
A month or so ago I announced that Big Horn had shut their doors. Now it appears that they might yet live. Word is that American Saddlery will be purchasing Big Horn or certain of their assets. It’s not clear yet what that purchase will mean for the Big Horn brand, but it appears that [...]
Announcing the Launch of the English Saddle Guide!
December 5, 2008 by Saddle Sense
Filed under General Saddle Topics
We’ve received a number of requests for an English version of the Western Saddle Guide that we’ve ignored for some time now. Afterall, we’re cowgirls and cowboys! But it became clear that the English side was really missing a comprehensive resource such as the Western Saddle Guide. So, we partnered with some knowledgeable folk from [...]
Big Horn Goes Out of Business
October 31, 2008 by Saddle Sense
Filed under General Saddle Topics
Chattanooga saddle maker Big Horn Inc. has closed its doors after decades of manufacturing saddles, horse riding equipment and personal leather goods. A company spokeswoman issued a statement to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Oct. 28. She indicated that recent slowdowns in the economy had hurt the business. Many saddle manufacturers rely on credit to [...]
Antique Saddles & Collectible Value
October 30, 2008 by Saddle Sense
Filed under General Saddle Topics, Saddle Buying, Saddle Types
Many, many people email us asking if we can help them identify the maker of their antique saddle and determine it’s value. Unfortunately we don’t have the resources to provide that service. What we can, and do, tell folks is that there are tons of antique saddles out there and very few have any collector [...]
Ride Many Saddles
October 17, 2008 by Saddle Sense
Filed under Featured Posts, General Saddle Topics, Saddle Buying
You can learn a lot about western saddles from reading and talking to knowledgeable folks. There’s tons of information available on our Western Saddle Guide website. This will give you a good, solid foundation. But like so much in life, you really need to have lots of first hand experience to truly understand the western [...]
Mentoring Program for Cowboy Gearmakers
September 11, 2008 by Saddle Sense
Filed under General Saddle Topics, Resources
There’s a great article in the September issue of “Western Horseman” magazine (if you don’t yet subscribe, add that to your to do list) about the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) mentoring program. TCAA members are gearmakers at the top of their field – saddlemakers, silversmiths, bit and spur makers, rawhide braiders. Each member chooses [...]
