The "WADE" SADDLE by SLYE

[Slye]

 At the end of 1800s, Aaron Wade buys a saddle from Deadwood ( South Dakota) during one of its journeys with its horses through the West of the Oregon. The manufacturer is unknown, but Aaron will visit him till the end of his days
At the end of 1930s, his son Clifford, notices that this saddle is adapted to many horses which he goes up regularly
In 1937 he asks to the saddler HAMLEY (Pendleton, Orégon) to redo him one ...........

One of our customers from frank PERRET asked us to make this model with only of the American material (pommel, bouclerie), the pommel being made by BOWDEN (USA)

We present you some photos of the manufacturing



encuirage "bars"


the "false seat" after the pose of a "strainer"


work of the knob molded in water


détails of"rigging"




molding of the leather for "swells"






sewing of the "cantle"




fixation of "skirts", doubled natural sheep



the seat was completly doubled
details of "horn wrap" and it "rope strap", for fixation of the lasso

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Beautiful, Slye. Very nice work. Thanks for the follow-along pics.

[KidTerico]

Slye that's the work of a TRUE Artist. Thanks for showing. KT

[Johnny McCrae]

Beautiful! It takes a lot of skill and patience to make an item as complex as this. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Camano Ridge]

Very nice. The follow along picture series is great.

[Massive]

What an adventure making that must have been.  Beautiful results!  I'd love to make a saddle since I am primarily a woodworker, it would combine several interests.  Unfortunately we don't own any of those animals that go "moo" that you can use them on, from what I understand...

[Massive]

Looking at the machinery in the background, I'd love to see a shop tour of your workshop Slye.

[flyingcollie]

Nice work, and a good history ! To add to that, "Wade" saddles are probably the most popular tree these days. That has a lot to do with the "lineage" of great horsemen who have promoted "natural horsemanship" the past 60 years or so. Tom Dorrance rode with Cliff Wade, and adapted Hamley made saddles to his own needs . . . Ray Hunt adopted the Wade tree, and rode saddles made by Dale Harwood from 1962 on. Ray is probably most responsible for the wide popularity of the "Wade saddle" today. If Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt have an heir to their brand of horsemanship, Buck Brannaman, who also rides "Wade" saddles  (by Freckler's Saddlery) is the likely choice . . . 

[Slye]

Many thanks for your encouragements

[buckskin billy]

awesome pictures. I always enjoy your work