This spring I happened upon a saddle shop listing on a website. When I went to the website of the saddle shop, I saw it was in Idaho Falls. "Wow! What a great field trip idea!" I called the shop and the man was so generous and kind and told us to come up. We had no idea the treat we were in for, and absolutely no idea that this saddle maker is one of the best in the world.
Mr. Frecker took us all through the shop: the room where he keeps the rawhide and stretches it over the wood tree, the outside shop where he makes his own trees, and the main shop where they build the saddles.
Most saddle makers buy their trees, so he is very unique. He also has the original "Wade Pattern" from Dale Harwood... the real deal.
He was part way through making a saddle so he showed us how he attaches the rigging and
sizes a saddle.
The boys got a case of leather envy when they saw his tools!
All his leather work is unique. When he first started he copied patterns to learn. But now he goes on trail rides in the mountains, takes pictures of flowers, and then comes home and incorporates them into his saddles.
This is a rough out style that was finished and waiting to go out the door.
When his children turn 21 he gives them each a saddle for their birthday. This one was for his daughter. It was almost too beautiful to touch.
It was an honor to visit Mr. Frecker. He and his apprentices were thoughtful, kind and so interesting we could have stayed there for days.
We did go back a week later, but only to drop off thank you cards and pecan carmel rolls as a thank you.
Someday, we will have a Frecker Saddle.
1 comment:
Fantastic! So glad that you're blogging again. This field trip is such a great example of the advantages of homeschooling. Also, It made me hungry for Carmel pecan rolls...
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