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Each
Stübben saddle is crafted at our workshop in Stans, Switzerland
(left). Each starts at two points: In the left column with the
selection of the leather, and in the right column with our legendary
tree. Follow the steps down as they progress, and eventually come
together to produce the finished product: a brand new, hand crafted
Stübben saddle.
Click
on any of the photos below to see a larger view.
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SELECTING THE LEATHER
| We
start with the selecting of the finest full grain, vegetable tanned,
analine dyed, German cowhide. Full grain for longevity and durability.
Vegetable tanned and analine dyed for retention of suppleness and
natural qualities. |
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TENSIONING THE STÜBBEN TREE
| The
webbing is attached to the Stübben tree. Webbing tension establishes
seat depth, and works counter actively with the tree to provide
"spring" or "elasticity". The webbing closest
to the pommel is left long for the attachment of billets. |
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CUTTING THE LEATHER
| Leather
parts that comprise the seat and skirts are hand cut from the hide. |
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THE FINISHED TREE
| The
tree has been tensioned to the perfect seat depth for its particular
model, and the cantle plate has been attached. This process is always
done one at a time, and by hand. It's now ready to have the seating
material applied. |
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START THE HAND STITCHING
| Material
is hand stitched to the jockey shirt. This material is used to attach
the seat and skirts to the tree. |
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COVERING THE TREE
| The
tree is covered with a composite seating material. We do not use
foam. Foam will break down over time and deadens sound, which lessens
your ability to communicate with the horse. Our seating material
allows for a comfortable ride and excellent horse/rider communication. |
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MORE HAND STITCHING
| Our
trademark Stübben london colored piping is hand sewn between
the seat leather and the jockey skirts. Once the seat and skirts
are sewn, they move to the right column to be attached to the tree. |
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ATTACHING THE SEAT
| The
seat and skirts are attached to the tree. Excess leather will be
trimmed off only after the seat is firmly attached. |
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CRAFTING THE PANEL
| The
back piece is hand stitched to the panel, creating the pocket that
will hold the wool flocking. |
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ATTACHING THE BILLETS
| The
first 2 billets on each side are hand stitched to the webbing that
was left long. Billet guards that have been stamped with the model,
serial number, and tree width, will be attached later. |
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FLOCKING THE PANEL
| The
panels are then stuffed with wool flocking. Why wool? It absorbs
and wicks away sweat from the horse's back. It also molds and conforms
perfectly to the horse's back. And, finally, wool is not a sound
deadener, and therefore allows for transmission of the rider's communication
to the horse's back. |
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ATTACHING THE FLAPS
| Once
the seat and billets are attached, our craftsman attaches a flap
to each side of the saddle. As you can see in this photo, many of
the pieces are numbered and have the craftsman's name on them. From
these markings we know the saddle crafter and when and where the
saddle was produced. Each Stübben saddle is truly unique in
this way. |
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ATTACHING THE PANELS
| Panels
are hand stitched to the tree. Hand stitching makes for a durable,
quality attachment, and allows easy access if any future reflocking
is necessary. |
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THE FINISHED PRODUCT
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The
finished saddle: a brand new Stübben (A Siegfried VSS), which
will provide many years of comfortable riding for both you and
your horse.
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