Designed to Ride. Built to Last.
At Bison Saddlery, we specialize in custom made western saddles. Whether it’s for all around ranch work, the competitive show or roping arena, reining, cutting, western pleasure, packing in the mountains, or just out on the trail riding for pleasure, we can customize a western saddle specifically to your needs.
Just like our English saddles, our custom western saddles are built exclusively for you, one at a time, out of the best materials available. These custom fit saddles are meticulously crafted by the skilled hands of our master saddler. The majority of the work is done by hand, including much of the stitching. All edges are also creased, burnished, and dyed by hand. Bison Saddlery gives you the individual attention you need and deserve as a rider. Whether you are interested in a particular style, an extra degree of comfort, light weight or if security in the saddle is your priority, we work directly with you to ensure your needs are fully met.
Ideally, a saddle is built with quality materials, has structural integrity, fits the horse and fits the rider. It’s the combination of each of these that ensures the client’s satisfaction. Our saddles are functional works of art designed to last a lifetime while facilitating longer, healthier, and happier hours of riding.
If you want a hand crafted, western saddle, tailor-made to you and your horse’s unique specifications using only the best quality materials, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Together we can design and build the custom western saddle of your dreams.
The Custom Saddle Process
Bison Saddlery has designed its western saddle fitting process to be as simple and foolproof as possible. We begin with a conversation—what you need, want, like, dislike. If the horse is located within traveling distance Steve will come out to your barn to take the necessary measurements, confer with the owner/rider and explain the proper fit. When the tree has been constructed, but before it is covered in rawhide, he will return with the tree in order to check the fit. If no alterations are needed, it is sent back to the tree maker to be covered. If there are alterations indicated, they will either be made by Steve onsite or (if there are major changes needed) sent to the tree maker to adjust. Once the tree is fitting properly and the ground seat is in place Steve will once again visit, along with a temporary rigging and stirrup leathers, to cinch the saddle-in-progress on the horse and have the rider sit in it to check the fit of the seat. Again, if the rider expresses a need to have it altered, Steve can work it onsite until the fit is “just right”. The saddle is then taken to completion.
When an in-person fitting is not an option, we provide you with detailed fitting instructions to walk you through the process of making the necessary templates to send us. Back at our workshop we use these templates to determine the configuration of the tree, the size and shape of the seat, skirts and fenders. Patterns are then made, fitted, refined and then transferred to the leather of your choice. These pieces are then cut and attached to the prepared tree. Our goal is to achieve perfect balance by combining the fit with a properly constructed seat. Each saddle is specifically tailored to each individual rider and horse.
Pricing and Deposit Policy
Once all of the details are worked out on your custom saddle, we can provide you with an estimate of the final cost. At this time a 50% deposit is required. When the item is finished you will be notified of the final cost and the item will be shipped upon receipt of payment. Orders for goods paid by personal checks will be held until the check clears. Please allow a minimum of 20 weeks for delivery of custom saddles.