It’s your horse’s stillness in the head box, drowning out the sounds of a lively Friday night crowd. It’s the steadiness of your hands as your horse gains speed towards the first barrel. It’s the wave you throw the gate man to call for the cow. It’s the satisfaction of catching up to that stray miles from home.
It’s in the preparation where success is found. All over the country, at countless events large and small, these moments are the ones we work toward. Martin Saddlery is proud to produce the best seat in the house, with the goal of putting you in the right position every time. Martin Saddlery is dedicated to setting the standard in high-quality and performance saddle and tree making.
The process starts with a custom, in-house tree shop. Each tree is crafted from South Dakota white pine, using a proprietary method that ensures your new saddle feels just like the last. The wood tree is reinforced with fiberglass for strength and stability, plus this includes Martin’s uniquely designed molded ground seat, depending on the saddle type. With a 100% waterproof seal, your saddle will maintain its shape for life.
Martin craftsman cut each individual saddle’s leather from one to two sides of the finest Hermann Oak to ensure even thickness and consistency from the fenders to the skirt and swells. The steps between cutting saddle parts and finishing involve several months of hand tooling, precise stitching, and mindful construction.
Manufacturing everything in-house allows Martin to customize and oversee all parts of the saddle. Many distinctive features are exclusive to Martin’s shop in Greenville, Texas. The Adjustable Rigging, a patented design, lets you adjust your cinch and rigging placement to match your horse’s confirmation for the best fit. Each saddle also comes with another patented feature, the SPRS™, or Stirrup Positioning Rig Slot, which helps maintain correct leg position based on the discipline’s needs and the saddle type you ride.
In addition to saddle making, headstalls, breast collars, and spur straps make up a significant part of the business. Most notably, Martin offers a wide selection of reins. Whether you prefer double-stitched, split, heavy style, or a smooth single rein, Martin produces over 60 different types of reins with variations in leather type, thickness, style, and length. The most popular reins are processed with a trade secret method, providing a broken-in feel while preserving the original strength of the fibers.
Australia-born Brodie Powell became Head of Production Management in 2023, leading Martin’s custom saddle operation in 2023. He applies industry knowledge from growing up around horses and working with his father and renowned saddle maker, Eddy Powell. His leadership marks a new chapter for Martin Saddlery.
“Saddle making and leatherwork aren’t skills that can be simply learned from a book. It’s a feel that has to be passed down through generations and taught with many hours of practice. That’s what makes Martin different: the people.” —Brodie Powell
Powell also oversees the creation of top-tier performance saddles for all events, used by many professional riders. Working closely with leading riders, Martin takes pride in building saddles designed to help you succeed. Since Brodie took over in 2023, the select group of Martin’s endorsed riders have earned more than $14 million. This craftsmanship has gained the trust of professionals, helping them ride better, win more, and make their mark in history.
Whether it’s the tree, leather, or hand-tooled details, no aspect is overlooked. Martin believes that while technology advances, the human touch remains irreplaceable and essential to the saddle and strap-making process. Every hand-carved seat and stitch reflects commitment to both horse and rider. Martin Saddlery continues to set the industry standard. From seasoned professionals to first-time riders, Martin builds saddles that put you in a position for success. Next time you are preparing to head toward the area, feel confident your Martin saddle will be the best seat in the house. One you can depend on and the one that helps you and your horse work towards being your very best.
