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