Kent Saddles
Kent Saddles IntroCustom Made SaddlesSaddle MaterialsSaddle TestimonialsFree DVD

Choosing A Saddle
Our Saddle RangeSaddle OptionsFitting A Saddle

More Saddle INFO
Australian Stock SaddlesEvolution of Kent SaddlesCable RiggingCable Rigging HistorySaddle CareWin A Saddle

Custom Made Saddles

“Custom made” and “handcrafted” are terms used quite loosely at times. What does it mean to buy a handcrafted custom made Kent Saddle? It means the saddle is handmade in our workshop to suit each individual customer. Information provided helps us to customise the saddle to suit rider and horse.


Lyle handcrafting a custom made saddle.
The information we require is listed on our web page “Fitting a Saddle”, and saddle  options are shown on the page "Saddle Options". A complimentary DVD is also available to help you choose your saddle. Kent Saddlery has been in business since 1988 and offers expertise from a depth of experience. Lyle spent five years working on properties and cattle stations in the Northern Territory during he 1960's. Ben has had four years of experience on Northern cattle stations and continues his involvement with horse training. Daniel also has had some Northern experience, so when you ask questions about saddles, there is always someone available to give you advice to help you make the right choice.We have made over 2500 saddles and now find that with so many saddles out there, satisfied customers do our promoting for us, with orders coming from every region of Australia.  
 
Once you have made your choices, the specifications are sent to Bob Wattus our saddle tree maker, and he and his team manufactures the saddle tree according to individual specifications. The tree is returned to us, labelled with your name. (We require a $1,000.00 deposit on order.) Each saddle has an individual number which is recorded, together with all the information and specifications for that saddle. If you've had the opportunity to ride in a Kent Saddle, like it, and are interested in buying a similar saddle, simply phone with the saddle number and we can look up the relevant information.
 
Keep in mind that if you are riding in someone else's saddle, it may not be the right size, and the fenders may be the wrong length, which is not conducive to a comfortable ride. As a general guide, we recommend that if you are sitting in the saddle on the horse with fenders of the correct length, and there is room for the width of the flat of your hand between your thigh and the back of the knee pad, then the saddle is a good fit. Shortening the fenders changes the angle of your thighs and results in a tighter fit in the saddle.

Conversely, lengthening the fenders gives more room. Sometimes the rider either gains or loses weight between the time of ordering and delivery, and obviously this will affect saddle fit. In the unlikely event that the saddle doesn't fit you or your horse as well as you'd like, we will work with you for a good outcome. We ask that you don't oil the saddle until you're satisfied that it's the right fit. A brochure on saddle care comes with every saddle (see our Saddle Care page).

When ordering a customised Kent Saddle it is necessary to allow sufficient time for the saddle tree to be made, and for the saddle to be made and delivered. The team at Kent Saddlery understand that when you order a saddle you want it as quickly as possible, and we do all we can to complete your order in reasonable time.
 
Kent Saddlery is committed to customising a saddle to suit you and your horse.
 
 
In 2010, 2011 and 2012, Kent Saddlery has been involved with the Queensland Country Life in a joint promotional “Draw Competition” conducted over a period of six weeks. We provide a prize which consists of a Saddle and a selection of Kent Saddlery Products. Rachael Ferling was the winner in 2011:
 
Rachael Ferling, Quilpie Qld
Western Drafter Slimline Saddle
 
 
Rachael playing polocrosse riding Hottie
 
 “Superior customer service”
 
I have one word to describe my new Kent saddle and that is “BRILLIANT!” I was fortunate enough to win the 2011 Kent Saddlery competition in the QLD Country Life, and I chose to receive the Equaliser Western Drafter Slimline Saddle.

This saddle is everything I imagined a custom made Kent Saddle would be, plus more. The staff at Kent Saddlery are brilliant; I feel that the superior customer service is thorough and very customised to the individual. Daniel made my saddle, and I felt very sorry for him when I sometimes rang 3 times in a day to ‘customise’ my saddle. As I have absolutely NO experience with saddle making, Daniel was very professional and patient, and thoroughly explained everything I asked.

I only began riding in 2008 (being taught by some very patient and close friends of mine) Having lived in Quilpie for a year and wanting to try something new, I saw an ad on a notice board asking for polocrosse players. I approached the club and said I would have a go, but had to learn how to ride a horse first. Once I felt I was ‘ok’ on a horse I was given a polocrosse racket and ball and told to “have fun and hang on!” I began to learn how to play polocrosse with the Quilpie Polocrosse Club in 2010, and it is now a passion of mine. It just so happened that luck was on my side, as I survived the season and went on to win the 2011 Country Life Kent Saddlery Competition.

This saddle was made to suit my gelding; however I have ridden several others horses in the saddle, and ensuring that padding was ample, I have had a successful and comfortable ride every time. I have used my saddle for polocrosse, mustering cattle, and pleasure riding, and it has proved to be comfortable and fantastic every time. It has been easy to care for, and now, having been used for quite some time, it still looks immaculate. I put this down to the expertise of the Kent Saddlery staff who make this product, deliver it, and then follow up with care and questions that ensure that their customers get the best out of their saddles.

I want to give a huge thank you to Lyle and Helen for running the competition, also a big thank you to Daniel (my ‘patient’ saddle maker), and all the other staff at Kent Saddlery who made my experience great. If anyone asks me what I think of my new Kent Saddle, I say that one word “Brilliant”, and would recommend Kent Saddlery every time.