Built For The Way You Ride
Handcrafted western saddles designed for working cowboys, serious riders, and horses that earn their keep.
The Details That Make The Difference
Every custom saddle is built with intention — from the tree beneath the leather to the final stitch. These are the elements that shape how your saddle looks, feels, and performs in the long run.
Tree and Foundation
Every custom saddle begins with the right tree. We work with trusted tree makers to select a high-quality wood tree, reinforced in rawhide or fiberglass, built to match your horse’s conformation and your intended use.
Heft Leather and Saddlery collaborates directly with you — and, when needed, your saddle fitter and tree maker — to ensure the foundation of your saddle is correct from the start. Proper fit at the tree level determines everything that follows: balance, comfort, longevity, and performance. A well-built saddle starts long before the first piece of leather is cut.
Hand Tooling and Leatherwork
Each saddle is hand-cut, hand-fit, and hand-tooled using premium Hermann Oak skirting leather. Whether you prefer clean working gear or detailed floral tooling, every line is carved with intention. The result is a saddle that reflects both tradition and the individual rider it was built for — made to age with character over time.
Built for the Long Haul
A custom saddle should ride as hard as you do. Our saddles are designed for long days in the pasture, branding pens, and open country. Proper fit for both horse and rider ensures comfort, balance, and longevity — because a real working saddle only proves itself after miles in the dirt.
Fit for Horse and Rider
No two riders sit the same, and no two horses move alike. We work directly with each client to determine seat size, rigging position, swell style, cantle height, and overall balance. The result is a truly custom saddle — built specifically for your build, your horse, and the way you ride.
Why Choose A handmade Saddle?
Built for the Long Ride
A working saddle earns its place over time. We build each custom saddle to handle branding pens, open country, and long days in the seat. With careful tree selection, quality materials, and traditional construction methods, you get a saddle that performs when it matters most.
Custom craftsmanship
As a custom saddle maker, every build begins at the bench and is completed by hand using time-tested western saddle construction methods. From tree fitting and ground seat shaping to rigging and final finishing, each step is handled with precision. A true custom saddle isn’t assembled — it’s built with intention from the foundation up.
Intentional Saddle Building
Building a custom saddle demands careful attention to balance, rigging position, leather weight, and structural integrity. Each decision is made deliberately — guided by study, hands-on practice, and a commitment to proper fit for both horse and rider.
Rather than rushing production, every custom saddle is approached with patience and precision to ensure it rides correctly, feels balanced in the seat, and is built to stand up to honest use.
A personalized custom saddle process
Every custom saddle we build is shaped around the rider and the horse it’s made for. We work directly with clients — and when needed, their saddle fitter and tree maker — to ensure proper fit, function, and design. The result is a handmade western saddle built specifically for your needs, not pulled from inventory.
