Bree Report post Posted September 22, 2008 Do you folks have a good supplier for horse leather? I know that Seigel of Ca has some small butts. Seems like there are few if any domestic sources. I know it is available in India. I can't find any US suppliers!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted September 22, 2008 There was this discussion...see if it helps: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...amp;hl=cordovan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted September 22, 2008 I can't recall seeing any in the last few years other than the butts. There's only one slaughter house in the US allowed to do horses anymore, so whatever raw hides exist, the Chinese tanneries probably get them because they are subsidised by the government and can pay more than our tanneries. I don't mean that to sound conspiratorial (is that a word?), but I think that's part of it. Plus people are more squeamish about wearing old Dobbin than they are poor old Buttermilk. I hope you do find it somewhere, so many things are just part of the bygone days, Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg gomersall Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Seigal's generaly carry horse fronts which are sides from the flank forward so they are generly smaller than the average cowhide. They are tan, cream and black only and 2 to 2 1/2 oz. They are tanned by White's Tanning in the Toronto Ontario region. Kevin All of the U.S. horse processing plants are closed. Cavel was the last plant operating, they were in Ill. and when the state passed legislation which forced them to close they appealed to the Supreme Court on the grounds that state law was interfering with inter-state commerce which is federal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Our current house of Rep. is working on a law that will make it a criminal act to sell or transport a horse for slaughter which would shut down the last option we have of exporting live horses for slaughter. If this bothers you please take the time to contact your congressman and ask them to at least make sure we have a plan in place for dealing with unwanted horses before they legislate away our main disposal option. If you feel horses should not be slaughtered please make sure you are putting your money where your mouth is and contribute regulary to pay for the feed and care of the horses you don't want to see slaughtered. I'll get of my soap box now. Greg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bree Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Wow! This place is like a veritable fountain of information. Thanks so much for the comments and explanations of the lack of supply. I simply had no idea. Personally, I see no difference whatsoever between a horse, a pig, a sheep, a lamb, a cow or any of the other creatures that we slaughter for various human purposes. I respect the animals and decry any inhumane treatment. But I am not a vivisectionist or animal rights advocate. We raise these animals as farmers do plants. We need them for the purposes of human life. I sit on a large sheepskin when I ride my motorcycle. It protects me from heat and cold. I have many times said a little prayer thanking the sheep for giving me its coat. I try to care for it with a little reverence for its past owner. That said, the world marches on and we do what we need to do to live. It is unfortunate that we treat horses differently than cattle. It denies people of truly excellent and valuable products for the sake of something... some value... that escapes me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johngalt Report post Posted September 26, 2008 Do you folks have a good supplier for horse leather? I know that Seigel of Ca has some small butts. Seems like there are few if any domestic sources. I know it is available in India. I can't find any US suppliers!! I know that Zack White Leather Co had some. They were appx 7 sq ft and were priced @$6.00 per sq ft. It depends really on the kind of horse hide you are looking for. You can view them on their website at www.zackwhite.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites