Which horse related projects for a beginner? (Equine Tack, Saddles)

[JKos]

I have a daughter who is very much interested in horses.  She's very very young but the interest is there. She's also constantly at my side trying to be involved in whatever project I'm working on whether that be woodworking, metal, painting. etc. 

I'd like to find something, a series of projects so to speak, that we can both 'connect' on and learn together.  We have access to some basic leather working tools that I've collected over the years but never used. I'm not opposed to buying tools as we progress and I understand there's a getting started cost with everything.  We also have access to a Pfaff 345-h3  cylinder arm walking foot machine, which I suppose could be used for some basic light weight leather projects.

My question to you: What are good starter leather working projects that have something to do with horses?  Where do we start? I read somewhere that starting with some belts or straps, maybe even a headstall would be a good start. Then progressing to chaps. Is this true?

If you were starting out and hoping to gain the skills, where would you start?  Where would you start if your end goal was to say make a saddle with your son or daughter in a few years time? Rather than jumping into the deep ended and losing the interest of my daughter, I'd like to slowly build our skills together and create things that she would able to find useful and relate to her interest in horses.  I also wouldn't be opposed if we learned to make something that she could sell to her friends or family members while learning the craft.

I did some quick searching and found a few books. I was thinking to purchase the following books, please let me know if you think that I'm way off base here.

How to Make Cowboy Horse Gear by Bruce Grant

Saddlemaking Construction and Repair Techniques Set by Johnson

The Stohlman Encyclopedia of Saddle Making by Stohlman.

Thank you for your help and I appreciate you taking the time to reply.  We're American, but living overseas, so taking a class or learning from someone in the states is not an option this year.  Let me know what you think.

 

[chrisash]

Failure of most horse tack can lead to serious injury or even death to the rider , so not a area to teach yourself on unless trained by a expert, maybe far better to learn general leathercraft first, maybe starting with belts, bags and wallets where you can learn about leather and sewing strengths etc and then later do some training with a saddlemaker to learn the specialised skills

[zuludog]

I agree with CHRISASH, and with similar comments made when that question has been asked before on this forum

I don't know much about saddles and related leatherwork for horses. I've never made any, and I doubt if I ever will. But I do know that such work must be strong, and made to the highest standards. That's why training to become a saddler takes years of serious work

Look at it this way -- if you make a wallet that's a bit odd, well that's unfortunate, but only cosmetic. If you make a belt that comes apart, the worst that can happen is that your trousers will fall down, which might be embarrassing, but the only thing that will be hurt is your dignity. However, if a piece of horse tack fails, you may fall off, perhaps at speed, and cause serious injury. So for the moment leave that to the professionals

But what you can do is to start with simple basic, non - critical leatherwork  and build it up from there. As you gain experience and confidence you can move on to straps and belts.

So, where to start? You will need to learn both the techniques, such as the saddle stitch (how do you think it got that name!?), edge finishing, dyeing, and so on. You can combine this with making simple items, like card holders, wallets, key fobs, and belts, moving on to pouches and possibles bags, and perhaps a bag to hold the grooming kit

The good news is that all the techniques and methods are pretty much the same for many items

I expect the books you have listed will be OK for saddles, but a general leatherwork book is worth getting. This is often recommended -- 'The Leatherworking Handbook' by Valerie Michael. It includes some simple projects

YouTube is a great help, for both techniques, and making things. Use the Search Box, and follow the links and suggestions, and away you go!

Try Searching for -- Making leather reins/horse tack/belts/browband/cardholder/wallets/coin purse.......and yes, saddles as well. Also dog's collars - the methods are very similar to those for belts

I've noticed that some things, reins for example, can also be made from paracord, so that's something to consider

She's a girl! So you could think about braiding, in leather or paracord for bracelets; beadwork; decorative items for horse tack.

These small simple items could be used for gifts or sale to friends

Here are some YT channels by experienced leatherworkers, for both techniques and making particular items -- Nigel Armitage; JH Leather; Ian Atkinson. They're all British; that's not deliberate, they just happen to be the ones I know best. I'm sure other people will come along with their suggestions, but there are plenty to choose from!

You mention woodwork. Paul Sellers makes high quality items using hand tools, including some for children, such as chopping boards, spatulas, decorative stars etc. Search YouTube for 'Paul Sellers Woodwork'.

[chuck123wapati]

how about some spur straps or a quirt pretty straight forward and not a safety risk if you want to go all cowboy or maybe Hat band or belt. Something she will be able to use and show off to her friends will keep her interested.

[zuludog]

Here are a few more ideas -

My Dad was a carpenter, and when I was a boy he got me a small set of tools. I never took it up seriously, but I had those tools for years and looked after them.

So even if, as you say, you already have some tools, get her some of her own, even if it's just a few. This will hold her interest, and help to encourage responsibility; to appreciate the value of things; safety when using them; pride in her work; and so on. It's a lot more satisfying to make something with your own tools than having to borrow Dad's

You will probably come across the Japanese style leather knife. This looks a bit strange at first, but once you've got used to the offset blade, you realise how handy they are. I have one, and use it for straight cuts and skiving. You will probably come across a KIRIDASHI as well. This, too, is good and useful.  She would be able to make sheaths and covers for them; it's all good practice. They are both easy to sharpen, and you can make your own strop. Search YT for all these things

Search YouTube for 'simple leatherwork projects' and 'leatherwork for beginners; there are several references.

I've Searched Google for 'singapore leatherwork suppliers'. There are several stores, and some of them offer courses. It would do no harm to visit them and have a chat

Edited January 21, 2020 by zuludog

[Alexis1234]

Bronc nosebands or browbands might be easy first projects that are horse related

[Cattledude]

You could make spur leathers, maybe a simple split ear headstall, cell phone case to hang from back cinch ring , saddlebag or horn bag, lots of things you can do with her. Look at tack catalogs, great ideas in there. Be careful, pretty soon you will be looking at performance horses, dually pickups, living quarter trailers, entry fees and be on the road every weekend!

[JKos]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate the replies and concerns.  We will take safety into account. Love the horse related ideas, especially the browbands, spur straps, and headstalls. I think we've got some good ideas to move forward.

[JLSleather]

I do not believe that you "work up to" making horse gear. I have made about a JILLION belts over the years, in many styles, colors, even different shapes.  And perhaps as many wallets of various types.  And notebooks, handbags, and a few things I made even though I didn't really know what they were for - just made them to the specs I was given.

But NOT ONE BIT of that would be acceptable "training" for making "horse stuff" (I've even made belts and wallets with horses on them, and some FROM horse hide).  Those things have in common that they are made from leather.  And that's all.  So you could learn sewing leather, burnishing leather, tooling leather, dyeing/staining/oiling leather... and still know NOTHING about "horse stuff"

The only way to learn how to make "horse gear" is to make "horse gear". I certainly could see a young girl having fun making her own (or even for others) chaps - and having a useful finished item when she's done.  But again, you could be well experienced making chaps and still know nothing about saddle making.  The reverse is equally true - you can know saddle building and not know chaps or wallets (a saddle maker figure out belts pretty durn quickly).

I wouldn't fear jumping into saddle making, as some suggest, though that doesn't seem to be what you asked exactly.  "Pro" saddle makers weren't born that way -- everybody starts somewhere.  Maybe that somewhere to start is NOT HERE?@!  Stohlman, Grant, and Johnson are well-known names in the field, I think THAT is your start.  Here is likely to get you a list of other books, some suggested videos to watch aimlessly, and some "i don't know but what i might do..."

ONE MORE TIME:  Saddles are not "bigger wallets".  They aren't "like a belt but more stuff", or "the same thing on a different scale".  Yes, they're all leather.  But dump trucks and sports cars are both "motor vehicles" and both are steel and internal combustion. Still you wouldn't ask a guy who does one to work on the other - NOT the same thing.

 

[JKos]

Thank you JLSleather for the candid reply and information.  I appreciate you taking the time to type that up.  I'm a bit intimidated, humbled and inspired by what you wrote. Please take those as compliments.  You've given me a lot of information in the context of five paragraphs and it's going to take a little re-reading and time to digest all of that.

 

 

[JLSleather]

Intimidated?  Maybe I shoulda condensed a bit more! I mean if you want to learn "equine" stuff, then learn that.  If you want to make wallets, then learn that.  And if you want to make drink coasters, then learn that. None of them "harder" or "easier" than the other - just different.

Surfers don't get better by practicing tennis

[Kent Richards]

I agree completely with JLSleather. Buying quality tack instead of junk requires knowledge also. That amount of knowledge is a good beginning to start making your own. 

I wouldn't worry much about making some of your own tack not being safe. Anyone spending time around horses had better realize that sooner or later the unexpected will happen anyway. When you do have a problem it's better to plan a remedy than thinking everything is always perfect. 

[steven1]

The first leather project that got me going in leatherwork was a headstall, because I needed it at the time.  It wasn't beautiful but it was safe.  It was a simple brow band headstall, a loose ring snaffle still hangs on it and it is still used on occasion many years later.  It is quite satisfying to build your own tack.    

[gmace99]

I am a English saddle maker and instructor As said above. Horse equipment involves safety. Not using the correct leather or thread can be dangerous.  You could make a lead rein   This is basically a dog lead. It is a straight piece of 4mm leather with a dog clip. Use a size 12 or a size 3/18 thread to stitch.

 

i have about 70 videos on you tube aimed at beginners.  There may be some items on that   For you and your daughter to make

my website is www.uksaddlery.com. And my you tube is uksaddlery.  If you need a little advice you will get my email on my website.  Where in the world are you.  I may know someone near who may be able to advise you 

[OLESKIVER]

also you mentioned the " Al Stohlman " book on saddle making. this would be an absolute must have if saddle making is something you really want to do. learn from the master. He even found that the way the saddle is built. and the style or type of tree used affects the way it sits on a horse plus effects the horse, ie biting, bucking, saddle sores, etc. very, very informative. plus Tandy offers a pattern pak on horse gear, breast collar, headstalls, etc. oh, and in the stohlman book he also gives you a saddle tree type you can use as a practice piece if you just want to learn how to make saddles but not use them. hope this helps, oh and you might want to check out osborn leathertools.com

[Mulesaw]

I would start out making a leather halter.

The easiest and cheapest way to do that in my experience is to either find an old halter in the stable that has a broken carabiner. You buy a new carabiner and then you simply copy that halter 1:1 using leather instead of the nylon webbing and reusing all the old pieces of hardware on the halter. Most of the cheap everyday halters are made out of 25 mm nylon straps (webbing), so you would be well under way if you got yourself some 25 mm leather straps.

If you can't find a broken halter in the stable (or if you don't have access to a stable, then just buy a new cheap halter and do the same, in that case you have all the necessary hardware on hand, and you have a live functioning model so you can se how it should be put together. 

Most people in the horse world I know uses a nylon halter for everyday use like getting the horse to and from the paddocks, and then when it is time for some competition you put on a nice leather halter.

https://www.horze.dk/grimer/horze-howard-grime/22244.html#color=RBBR

https://www.horze.dk/grimer/horze-basic-grime/22239.html#color=BL

The first link would make a nice halter project, and the buckles for the neck strap would work just as well in leather. the second link is cheaper but the neck  buckle might not work that well for leather.

Depending on if your daughter has got any friends with horses, or does riding herself etc. I would suggest making a size of halter that would fit any horse that she may know and hopefully have access to. If she has got a friend that has a pony, well then buying and making a pony size would be ideal, there is a special sense of pride in seeing a horse wearing something that you have made, and it will be equally frustrating to have made a really nice halter size X full, just to realize that no one within 3 hours drive has got a Clydesdale, a Suffolk Punch or a Shire that you could try the piece out on.

Good look and have fun.