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Lazy J Saddlery
officially opened for business in 2002. It is operated in a shop right here on
our small farm. I am the only employee.
I have been in leather-craft
for over 25 years, having started repairing and constructing western saddles in 2002.
Although I have not attended any formal training, I have studied, and continue to study, many texts and videos authored
by some of the country’s finest leather artisans. My work is guided by time
honored methods in western saddle construction and repair. One thing some smarter person than I taught me a long
time ago though, was to never stop learning. Some methods just have to go--I finally convinced my wife to let me buy
a heavy-duty leather sewing machine. All new ideas and methods must pass muster before they go out the shop door though.
| Sometimes we go on the road. Here I am at 4T |
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| July 4th Rodeo a while back. |
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| Well, won't be anyone cutting hay today. |
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| Take the bad with the good. |
Most of my wooden
rawhide covered saddle trees come from Bowden Brand Saddle Tree company in Texas. I just completed one saddle using the new Laporte
Saddle Tree which is a synthetic “Poly Tuff” tree that incorporates a steel cable for the rigging. So far I am very happy with this new tree, and the great news for some riders is the finished saddle weighs
just 30 pounds. I use only domestic cow hides, most of which come from
Weaver Leather.
I take great pride in my work, and will not sit still until
I am comfortable putting my name to the finished product. We have three horses
that we “play” with on a regular basis and that gives me a chance to use my saddles and other stuff on them first. So far they haven’t complained any. I
believe that a saddle should be first made with the horse in mind, then, make it so the rider is comfortable as well. I build for comfort, strength and durability, and finally it has to look good too.
| The shop is almost finished. Add a hitch rail and |
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| it will be done on the outside, anyway. |
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