1. It begins here
Stübben saddles are crafted at our workshop in Stans, Switzerland. Each starts at two points: with the selection of the leather and with our legendary tree. First we will start on the leather path. Follow the steps as they progress, and eventually come together to produce the finished product: a brand new, hand crafted Stübben saddle.
2. 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.
3. Cutting the Leather
Leather parts that comprise the seat and skirts are hand cut from the hide.
4. Start the 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.
5. 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.
6. Crafting the panel
The back piece is hand stitched to the panel, creating the pocket that will hold the wool flocking.
7. Flocking the panels
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.
8. Tensioning the tree
While the leather is being cut and stitched, we begin building the 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.
9. The finished spring 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. The finished product
The finished saddle: a brand new Stübben (S Roxane), which will provide many years of comfortable riding for both you and your horse.
