Custom Western Saddles
Saddle Restoration and Gun Holsters
Recent Saddle Making School Graduate
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The most recent graduate of my saddle making school has a very interesting story. Joe contacted me last year about attending the school and told me he was visually impaired due to military service in the Marines. He had done some leatherwork in the past and had been approved by VA Vocational Rehabilitation to attend a saddle making school. Joe had contacted several saddle makers, but couldn’t find one that would teach custom saddle making instead of teaching how to build a saddle from a kit. Also, many of them did not feel like they could deal with his vision impairment.
It took a few months to get my school in the Veterans Affairs system, but Joe was able to start his class in June. Now that we are in the system, it will be much easier for other veterans to attend. Joe completed a beautiful Western working saddle. Then, he stayed an additional two weeks to take two more classes. He completed a bridle, chest strap, saddlebags, rifle sleeve and leather-covered canteen. I’m going to let the progress report and pictures finish his exceptional story.
Progress Report to VA Four-Week Long Saddle Making School:
Joe has very successfully completed this course. He has built a chocolate brown western working saddle and a saddle stand that is equipped for use in building saddles. He has built this saddle starting with preparing the saddle tree, making patterns for the leather, cutting and finishing the leather (includes edging, dying and burnishing), and covering the saddle with leather. He has accomplished hand and machine stitching and some tooling. He has made a complete set of patterns for his saddle and has learned how to modify them for other saddles. He has purchased a second saddle tree and prepared it for building. His plan is to build a second saddle in the near future to reinforce his training. Joe definitely has an aptitude for leatherwork is a quick learner and has a marvelous attitude. It has been a pleasure to have him as a student.
Pete Harry, Saddler
9728 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Pembroke, KY 42266
270-886-5448