This material and any attendant photo illustrations are copyrighted © 2008 by R. J. Sagely. The reprinting or distribution of the whole or any part without express permission of the author is prohibited.

SAGE SADDLERY
R. J. Sagely
Maker of Custom Western Saddles & Horseman's Gear
"Saddles and gear your great-grandkids will still be using"

I started making saddles and tack a while ago now. I have specialized in making the Wade style, slick fork saddle as I do find them to be the best all-round using saddle style - kind to your horse's back and your own backside. Although I can make any type western saddle custom to your needs and wants I encourage folks who are looking for a really good rig to consider this type of deal.

The Wade has an interesting history and is a popular rig among modern day buckaroos. It was inspired by the horsemanship and equitation principles of the Old Californio bridle horse school. The vaqueros of the New World can trace their horsemanship directly to the European military riding of the Spanish Riding School, having proven itself in the unfortunately bloody conquest of the native peoples by the conquistadors of Spain. You'll see this type of saddle in the Great Basin country of the far western US. Not too many like these around where I live now in wild Western Pennsylvania but the renown of this design is spreading and more and more they are found all around the U.S. and the world.

My saddles have a full leather groundseat that is designed to allow the rider to sit down in the seat. The stirrups are hung to allow the horseman to assume a more comfortable position with their feet underneath them for support, a great compromise between English and Western styles of riding. The buckaroos who use these rigs out west spend many long hours daily riding rough country. If these saddles were not easy on both rider and horse the style would have been abandoned long ago. Instead it has proven itself thorugh time and use.

The rigs pictured here are built on trees made by Bowden's Saddle Tree Company and Timberline Saddle Trees. You can also order a saddle made on a premium tree from a few very good custom tree makers that are availabel for an added cost. The hardware is brass, bronze or stainless for good-looking durability. The leather rigging plate can be a heavy duty job that is laced together behind the cantle that will let you rope a bull if you've the mind, nerve and horse (and bull) to do so. Skirts are lined with genuine shearling, no synthetics here. These saddles are built to stand up to the rigors of the toughest ranch work while maintaining an eye for the traditional artistry of Western-style leatherworking. They'll last a lifetime and then some. We can also make lighter weight, general purpose trail riding rigs too, cutters, reiners, pleasure saddles and such. If you are interested in a custom western saddle to suit your riding style and aesthetic desires, give us a call or post us at sagehorseman . Base price for most custom saddles begin at $2395. Custom Wade saddles start at $2595.

Custom Saddle Order Form.

Follow this link to see a current saddles for sale.