Horse Saddles for Diabled Riders

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“I consider it a privilege to watch people achieve their goals. I consider it an honor that I can help,” John says.

He followed in his father’s footsteps in the saddle-making business but learned about therapeutic saddles by trial and error. John adapted standard saddles for challenged or impaired riders when he started his business, then found a saddletree maker willing to customize for any disability. Each saddletree is marked for a rider so that it can be tailored for a particular handicap.

John constructs specifically for the impairment. He devised a saddle for a young man who had been an active rider but lost both legs in the Middle East. He still wanted to trail ride with his wife. So John created the bucket seat. It is like an old-fashioned side saddle in that it has a horn to balance with. Yarmony Creek Lodge, near Vail, Colorado, helps disabled veterans ride again. Sgt. Tim Johannsen says, “I came to watch my wife ride and found I could accompany her. Thank you, Mr. Gray.”

John not only makes new saddles, he will repair a familiar old one, understanding that a saddle is a tool to be kept in good condition. Saddles aren’t the only item in John’s repertoire; he also makes bridles, chaps, saddle bags, canteens and other leather items.

For more information, visit his website at www.GraysCustomSaddlery.com.

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