Show Notes
In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we get into the intricacies of saddle making with custom saddle maker Joey Wenger from East Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Joey shares his journey from growing up in a horse show family to becoming a renowned saddle maker. He discusses the challenges he faced starting his business, the learning curve of working with leather and tools without any prior experience, and how he gradually perfected his craft.
Joey also provides insights into the importance of saddle trees, the process of designing custom saddles, and the evolving trends in the industry, particularly the rise of ranch saddles. This episode offers a thorough look at the dedication, craftsmanship, and innovation required to excel in the saddle making business.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:22 Joey's Background and Early Years 02:20 Starting the Leather Business 03:39 Challenges and Learning on the Job 06:12 Family Support and Initial Struggles 10:54 Transition to Saddle Making 20:22 Developing Custom Saddle Trees 29:49 Saddle Making Process and Custom Orders 38:56 Innovations in Saddle Design 39:22 The Rise of Ranch Saddles 42:39 Leather Tooling and Craftsmanship 46:48 Challenges in the Saddle Industry 50:33 The Impact of Rising Costs 55:43 Future Trends and Opportunities 57:17 Personal Reflections and Family Life 01:01:25 The Importance of Quality and Customization 01:08:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
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