Saddlemaker Enjoys Her Trade

Saddlemaker Enjoys Her Trade LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules Kathy Peet of Oxbow Sask builds saddles for working cowboys who use them on the job and for rodeos They’re made so well that many plan to pass them down to their children and grandchildren for generations to come “I got into the business at age 19 when I got a job in a well-known saddle shop I did the stamping carving tooling and assembling of parts I learned all the basics but it was years before I started building trees the base of a saddle ” Peet has transformed her garage into a workshop “It’s a job that a lot of women don’t do because it’s physical and you have to be fairly strong I have found other ways to do things because I don’t have the physical strength that men do But I can do most of it without a problem “I have always liked horses and had a pony since I was two year old I don’t think it would be easy to be a saddle maker if you didn’t ride You wouldn’t know anything about comfort for you and for horses ” she says All of the saddles Peet and her family use on their farm are saddles Peet has made “I like saddle making because I have kids It was good to be able to stay home So I have always had a shop in my house or in my garage It’s really handy because my kids can come and go This isn’t a big money maker but it’s a good second income ” she explained “What I really like about it is that it’s nice to build our own tack We would never have the tack we have if we had to go buy it ” she says Peet now makes saddles chaps all the tack bridles breast collars and whatever people want She also makes detailed repairs to old saddles “I don’t advertise ” says Peet “All my business comes to me by word of mouth When I get too old to make saddles I hope to focus on silversmithing and braiding all that easier stuff    “When summer comes I want to be out riding So I ask people to bring their saddles and items for repair in the winter ” Peet says    She also teaches classes in leatherwork for 4-H clubs and anyone interested in learning the craft Contact: Kathy Peet Oxbow Sask ph 306 483-2960; email: 6s@live ca

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