MT Saddle Matt Thompson, Idaho Saddlemaker A lifelong interest in leatherwork and cowboy gear motivated me to start building saddles. I started building wallets and belts for extra money in junior high and I built my first saddle in 1995. One saddle led to another and I have built saddles part time for the past 15 years to supplement my ranching income. As my primary occupation, I work on the family cow/calf operation and run my own cattle as well as raising and training horses to sell, but today the saddles are a big part of how I make a living. I am a 4th-generation rancher and my family has been in the livestock business for over hundred years. I spend a lot of time riding and using my own saddles and gear. I feel like I am qualified to build saddles that fit horses and ground seats that fit cowboys. I put a lot of emphasis on putting a good seat in my saddles. I was taught my methods of putting in ground seats and saddle construction by Dale Harwood whom I consider close friend and mentor. I have been awarded two scholarships from the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association to pursue the art of saddlemaking and have attended classes taught by TCAA members Dale Harwood, Don King, Steve Mechum and Cary Schwarz. I have built around a hundred saddles and try to make each saddle better than the last. The majority of my saddles are in use by working cowboys and ranchers.  I for the past to years I have been honored to build one of the trophy saddles for the Californios Ranch Roping. There are a lot of saddlemakers to choose from these days I would recommend people buy from a maker that has spent a lot of time in the saddle cowboying. It is important that the saddle fits both horses and riders as well as it looks in the picture. I use the best quality materials available to construct the saddles. High Quality handmade saddle trees, high quality skirting, woolskin, and latigo and stainless steel or brass hardware. I have custom Monel or Brass covered stirrups and custom saddle silver available from a various makers upon request. I am married to my wife Jayme and we have three sons Jackson, Mattson, and Dawson.  In my spare time I enjoy ranch roping competitions, starting colts and my kids sporting events and rodeos. My base saddle price is $3200.  There is a $600 deposit required before a tree is ordered.  That deposit is non-refundable but is transferable and I require another $600 to start the saddle.  The balance is due when the saddle is picked up. Any shipping or sales tax is extra.  My waiting list is currently only 4-5 months.  For more detailed pricing, please contact me and I can send more detailed pricing information or a price quote. Matt Thompson MT Saddle 1202E. 900N. Shelley, ID 83274 208-589-3185 wadesaddle@hotmail.com MT Saddle, Cattle and Quarterhorses

Here are a few examples of the saddles we've made.  Click on photos for larger views. Ray Hunt wade Full flower stamped with square skirts and wide monel stirrups 2011 Californios Trophy Saddle Ray Hunt Roughout Ray Hunt Wade tree Halfbreed rough out and basket stamped with corner flowers, Inlaid padded seat Wade tree Halfbreed rough out Hamley daisy stamping Inlaid padded seat Lewis roper tree Halfbreed roughout and flower stamping