Pete's Custom Saddlery
Timeless Craftsmanship
Saddle Making School
Are you fascinated with the Old West and interested in learning the craft of saddle-making? Do you intend to make it your career or a skilled hobby? Then, you came to the right place.
This school is generally taught on a one-to-one basis; I never take more than two students at a time. It lasts for one month and I do not teach on Sundays. In that time period, you will have as much hands-on training as you can handle, as I do not limit myself to eight-hour working days. You will build one saddle, for which I will teach you basic border tooling if you desire. At the end of the month, you will have a saddle that you can take out and ride and enjoy. You do need to realize that you will not become an expert in one thirty day period.
Now to get specific as to what you will learn:
)
)
)
)
)
)
You will start by preparing the saddletree. This is the framework on which your saddle will be built.
You will learn how to select the materials for your saddle and the difference in quality. Basic tools used in saddle making, caring for those tools and where to purchase them will be discussed.
You will learn how to develop patterns and how to make your own patterns. Then you will learn about cutting leather and applying it to your tree.
You will learn what constitutes a good saddle; not only one that is pleasing to the eye, but one that is structurally sound.
You will learn the differences between types of saddles.
I will teach you many practical tips that I have developed over the years so you will know what works and what does not and why.
Last but not least, I will teach you how to start up a saddlery, promote your product and establish a customer base.
)
)
)
)
)
)
By the end of the month, you will have much hands-on experience. To help you retain as much as possible, you need to bring a notebook and camera. Once you have completed the course, you can contact me at anytime to help you with whatever problem might arise.
Custom saddle making is a dying art. If you find that you have a real interest in this field, you should learn as much as possible and pass this knowledge on to others. Don’t let it end with you. The fee for this school is $4,500.00 due at the beginning of the course and non-refundable. As this is a working shop with many customers, I need to book your class thirty days in advance, please.
Special Courses
I teach other courses on leather tooling and carving, making saddle accessories, silver working, bit and spur making and woodworking. For these courses, you need to contact me so we can determine exactly what your interests and skill levels are. Then a class would be tailored to your needs.
Once you learn the leather working process, you can make other decisions. You can do very general work or very specialized—such as work with leather garments or accessories for motorcycles, black powder shooters or shooters in general—gun cases and sleeves, pouches, thermos holders, canteen covers, etc. Your imagination is the only limit!
Accomodations
Information
from the lady of the house—
We have a guest room and bath to accommodate one student at a time. You
may use this room for $50.00 a week. You would not need to bring
bedding or towels. You are welcome to use our washer and dryer. There
is a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker you may use in the Saddle
Shop. There is a small grocery within one mile of the house and shop
that sells breakfast and lunch. We are located ten miles from
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, which has several restaurants.
Mrs. Harry
Alternatives?
Saddle-making schools vary markedly in price and duration of training, so if you are asking yourself what is the best place to learn the art of saddle-making, you are asking the right question. Some of the school spread across the US and Canada where you can get hands-on experience are:
Okanagan
Saddlery
Don
Atkinson's Saddle-Making School
Brian's
Saddle Shop
Dusty
Johnson's Saddle-Making School
I am not affiliated with nor do I endorse any of the schools listed; I am merely offering them as an alternative for your comparison and consideration.
Just keep in mind, that learning the art takes time and dedication.
9728 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Pembroke, KY 42266
270-886-5448