Saddle Materials

Number one rule of a good saddle ... If the tree is right, the saddle will be right.
All Kent Saddles are individually made and built on carbon composite trees and reinforced with carbon fibre. These materials are used extensively in the engineering, marine and aviation industries. It is guaranteed top quality.

Our saddle tree maker Bob Wattus and his wife Robyn operate their business, Bob Wattus Saddle Trees, from their home at Maclean in north NSW. Bob has had a lifetime of involvement with horses, and has a particular interest in roping. There business and the love of riping have resulted in visits to the USA, where Bob has been able to wxpand his knowledge and skills in both pursiuts.

Bob Wattus Saddle Trees started in 1996, and in the 12 years since the manufacture of his first saddle tree, Bob has kept up with the latest developments, and has been keen and willing to incorporate innovations in the design and construction of saddle trees. As Bob says, “We are always looking for better materials and better ways to make saddle trees.” The majority of trees they manufacture are for Australian stock saddles and the American stock saddle.

We at Kent Saddlery are not at all put out at being placed third in the list! All jokes aside, we are in total agreement that the saddle needs to fit the horse and rider as closely as possible and provide comfort for both.

Of Kent Saddlery, Bob and Robyn offer this comment: “About a year after we established our business we started making trees for Kent Saddlery. We have had a very close association with Lyle over the years and he has designed his own trees to give more options to the rider. Feedback from Lyle and his customers has helped us develop better trees suited to the Australian stockman.”

After 10 years of working closely with Bob and Robyn we appreciate their support and friendship as we’ve striven together to provide a top quality saddle. We're confident that in the coming years, we'll hear Bobs excited voice at the other end of the phone transmitting another new idea or development that will make future saddles even better! Read more about Bob Wattus Saddle Trees.

Whenever I phone Bob, no matter what time of day or night, he answers with 'Morning!' I believe this is a reflection of his enthusiastic attitude to life, and a willingness to be available for anyone at any time. Lyle

Kent Saddles are made using only the very best leather:
At Kent Saddlery we began using Greenhalgh leather from the very outset of our saddlery business in 1988 and have found it’s the absolute best type of leather for our saddles and gear, taking saddle dressing well and standing up to tough work conditions with enough pliability to give a comfortable ride. Their traditional bark tanning process produces leather which is strong, durable and responsive to moulding and shaping.

Greenhalgh Tannery is an Australian owned family business now in its fifth generation, established for more than 140 years and operating at Haddon, close to Ballarat, in Victoria for over 100 years. They are Vegetable tanners, using locally sourced Black Wattle Bark, which is processed on site to extract the bark’s rich tannins to tan the leather. The hides are prepared in static baths and then pit tanned to reduce movement which ensures the firmness and finish required for saddlery use. The process takes on average 10–12 weeks from the raw state to tanned finished leather. Read more about Greenhalgh Tannery.

Leah and Josh travelled to Victoria in February 2007, and took the opportunity to visit Greenhalgh Tannery. It was an enjoyable and informative time, and provided them with an extra appreciation for the process which ensures that we
receive top quality leather for our saddles and gear.

It's a pleasure to deal with Greenhalgh Tannery and we pay tribute to the Greenhalgh family for their commitment to improving
their product, alongside the generational methods and skills that have passed the test of time.