One of Ontario’s Last Saddle Makers, Ernie Wilson - The Total Podcast

<p>Ernie Wilson has been making and rebuilding saddles in Ontario for nearly forty years — and he started the only way that lasts: he took a cheap, uncomfortable saddle apart until he understood it.Recorded at the Ontario Equine Expo in Markham, Ernie talks about growing up on a farm near Millverton, the Emory saddle his uncle sold him at sixteen, three days with a maker in Ottawa, and the trade-show scraps that turned into his own way of building. He’s made roughly 600 saddles of his own and about 500 adjustable saddles for a customer in Alberta — then rebuilt the design when the hinges failed and the trees wouldn’t come in straight.He measures horses with Australian fit cards, sends trees out custom, and lets riders sit the seat two or three times before it’s finished. He also takes factory barrel saddles apart when the thin fiberglass lets go — one bear-trap tree arrived in three pieces — then levels the rebuild on a stone the size of a table. Daughter Jody now feels the bumps he can’t, sews what his eyes won’t follow, and keeps the tack side of the shop alive.This is a conversation about fit, tariffs, lost trades, square bales, a homemade forklift, a 1971 tractor that needed the snowblower for ballast, and why young people who want the craft still have to watch first. No more black saddles. Plenty of figuring it out.Recorded live in Markham, OntarioThanks for watching the @Totalfeeds YouTube Channel! Our mission to provide quality nutrition to people and animals puts us in contact with all manner of interesting folks. Whether you&#39;re interested in our animal feed, or the people involved in the animal industry: you&#39;ll find it at Total Feeds! Check out our line of Quality Animal Feeds here: https://totalfeeds.comIf you have any questions regarding our products email: info@totalfeeds.com</p>