On The Rail
138. In the Saddle with Joey Wenger
In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we get into the intricacies of saddle making with custom saddle maker Joey Wenger from East Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Joey shares his journey from growing up in a horse show family to becoming a renowned saddle maker. He discusses the challenges he faced starting his business, the learning curve of working with leather and tools without any prior experience, and how he gradually perfected his craft.
Joey also provides insights into the importance of saddle trees, the process of designing custom saddles, and the evolving trends in the industry, particularly the rise of ranch saddles. This episode offers a thorough look at the dedication, craftsmanship, and innovation required to excel in the saddle making business.
01:22 Joey's Background and Early Years
02:20 Starting the Leather Business
03:39 Challenges and Learning on the Job
06:12 Family Support and Initial Struggles
10:54 Transition to Saddle Making
20:22 Developing Custom Saddle Trees
29:49 Saddle Making Process and Custom Orders
38:56 Innovations in Saddle Design
39:22 The Rise of Ranch Saddles
42:39 Leather Tooling and Craftsmanship
46:48 Challenges in the Saddle Industry
50:33 The Impact of Rising Costs
55:43 Future Trends and Opportunities
57:17 Personal Reflections and Family Life
01:01:25 The Importance of Quality and Customization
01:08:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
- Broadcast on:
- 31 Mar 2025
In this episode of the On The Rail Podcast, we get into the intricacies of saddle making with custom saddle maker Joey Wenger from East Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Joey shares his journey from growing up in a horse show family to becoming a renowned saddle maker. He discusses the challenges he faced starting his business, the learning curve of working with leather and tools without any prior experience, and how he gradually perfected his craft.
Joey also provides insights into the importance of saddle trees, the process of designing custom saddles, and the evolving trends in the industry, particularly the rise of ranch saddles. This episode offers a thorough look at the dedication, craftsmanship, and innovation required to excel in the saddle making business.
01:22 Joey's Background and Early Years
02:20 Starting the Leather Business
03:39 Challenges and Learning on the Job
06:12 Family Support and Initial Struggles
10:54 Transition to Saddle Making
20:22 Developing Custom Saddle Trees
29:49 Saddle Making Process and Custom Orders
38:56 Innovations in Saddle Design
39:22 The Rise of Ranch Saddles
42:39 Leather Tooling and Craftsmanship
46:48 Challenges in the Saddle Industry
50:33 The Impact of Rising Costs
55:43 Future Trends and Opportunities
57:17 Personal Reflections and Family Life
01:01:25 The Importance of Quality and Customization
01:08:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information