By Jere Hough Meteorologist / Feature Reporter
Published: Fri, January 04, 2008 - 4:02 pm
Last Updated: Fri, January 04, 2008 - 4:46 pm
Last Updated: Fri, January 04, 2008 - 4:46 pm
Jere Hough
In all, he's made seven saddles...some plain, some with elaborate hand tooling.
Although Wassam has been around horses and saddles all his life, he says, "I had no idea how a saddle was made, so I decided to find out...It took me two years to build the first one!"
He only had a book to guide him, which he says didn't help much, but eventually he learned and can now complete a plain saddle in about two months.
The process starts with a wooden "tree." He does purchase that part of the saddle, custom-ordered from a wood worker who specializes in saddle frames.
He says, "The tree itself is made out of wood and it's rawhide covered."
Saddle leather is thick, tough, and stiff. Wassam marks a groove where he wants stitches and then drills needle holes in the leather, but even then, the sewing is hard. He has to use pliers to help pull the needle and "thread" through the holes.
It is critical that the saddle be comfortable for the horse...he custom fits the skirts of leather which are moulded to fit the tree perfectly. And what actually touches the horse? "This here sheepskin," says Wassam. "This is real sheepskin...not imitation, the hide."
Wassam also hand makes leather riding chaps, mohair cinches, and bridles. He also takes saddle repair and rebuilding jobs.
His plain saddles sell for about $2000. The elaborate ones, he thinks, would be about twice that. If you would like to contact him, here is a phone number (251) 973-2967.
Enlarge Video 
Download Video
Video RSS
News Map
Email to a Friend 
Printer Friendly 
Recently Commented On