The first step of saddle-making was preparing the hide. The hide was first soaked in water to soften it and remove any salt. Then, the hair and flesh were scraped off. The hide was then stretched and dried.
Step 2: Cutting out the parts of the saddle.
Once the hides were dry, they were cut into the parts that make up the saddle. These parts include the seat, the pommel, the cantle, the skirts, and the fenders.
Step 3: Sewing the parts of the saddle together.
Using strong thread or sinew, colonial saddlers sewed the parts of the saddle together. The seams were often reinforced with metal rivets or nails.
Step 4: Shaping the saddle.
The next step was to shape the saddle. The saddle was placed over a form and shaped with hot water or steam.
Step 5: Adding the ornamentation.
Once the saddle was shaped, the saddlers added ornamentation. This could include tooling, stamping, or carving.
Step 6: Fitting the saddle to the horse.
The final step was to fit the saddle to the horse. The saddler would measure the horse's back and adjust the saddle accordingly.
Colonial saddlers were skilled craftsmen who took great pride in their work. They produced high-quality saddles that were both durable and comfortable.