Kent Cannon Saddlery is renowned for its dedication to producing high-quality custom saddles. Each saddle is a product of meticulous craftsmanship, combining traditional techniques with modern innovations to meet the specific needs of riders. This document provides an in-depth look at how a quality custom saddle is built, from material selection to the final finishing touches.
Step 1: Consultation and Design
The process begins with a consultation between the saddler and the customer. During this stage, the rider’s requirements, style preferences, and measurements are discussed. Custom features such as seat size, tree type, tooling patterns, and leather color are determined to ensure a perfect fit and personalized appearance
Step 2: Selecting the Saddle Tree
The saddle tree forms the foundation of every saddle. Kent Cannon Saddlery carefully selects high-quality wood to create a sturdy, lightweight tree. The tree is shaped to match the horse’s back and the rider’s needs, ensuring optimal comfort and durability. We primarily use either Kevlar or fiberglass covered trees. We have found them to be superior to rawhide covered trees and because of that we are able to offer a superior warranty on our saddles. We also offer custom measuring and fitting for hard to fit horses.
Step 3: Choosing Quality Materials
Premium leather is chosen for its strength, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal. Only full-grain hides are used, which are hand inspected for imperfections. Other materials such as stainless steel hardware and high-density foam are selected to enhance the saddle’s performance and longevity.
Step 4: Cutting and Preparing Leather
The leather is precisely cut according to pattern templates tailored for each saddle. Pieces are skived, beveled, and conditioned to ensure uniform thickness and pliability. Tooling and decorative carving may be applied at this stage, reflecting the customer’s unique preferences.
Step 5: Assembly and Stitching
Leather components are hand-stitched or machine-sewn using heavy-duty thread for strength. The saddle is assembled piece by piece, with the ground seat, seat, fenders, skirts, and other parts attached to the tree. Special attention is given to the alignment and tension of the stitching to ensure both durability and comfort.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
The saddle is carefully finished with oils and waxes to protect the leather and enhance its appearance. Hardware is polished, and any custom embellishments are added. The finished saddle undergoes a thorough quality inspection to ensure it meets Kent Cannon Saddlery’s high standards.
In Conclusion
Building a quality custom saddle at Kent Cannon Saddlery is a labor-intensive process that reflects the expertise and passion of skilled craftspeople. Each step, from design to finishing, is executed with attention to detail, resulting in a saddle that is both functional and beautiful, tailored to the rider and horse.
Interested In Ordering a Custom Hand Made Saddle?
If you are interested in ordering one of our hand-built custom saddles, please fill out our no obligation saddle estimate form. You can select from the options listed and add your personal preferences. The form will give you some good perspective and answers to many of your questions in regard to what is involved. You can fill out the form multiple times to see different scenarios.
