Allegany Mountain Saddlery

At Allegany Mountain Saddlery , our saddles are built exclusively one at a time, put together

Watching white spots and saddle soreness ruin your trail rides?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated April 2026

Allegany Mountain Saddlery

At Allegany Mountain Saddlery, our saddles are built exclusively one at a time, put together by one set of hands. Quality control is held to the strictest standards! Each saddle is custom to your horse!

About Allegany Mountain Saddlery Allegany Mountain Saddlery was founded in 2004 by John Rettig, of Western NY.. While out on trail riding trips, it was easy to observe many horses with white spots on their backs. After beginning to pay closer attention, he witnessed horses becoming more sullen, reluctant and / or exhibiting behavior issues as the rides wore on and they became more sore. Looking into saddling options and explosion in saddle fit awareness, it became obvious that there was a need for better saddle fit options that the typical "off the rack" tack. AMS Provides that "custom fit, at an affordable price". After working with the company for a number of years, Staci Saulter acquired the company in 2010, and has furthered the company's goals of excellence in product, customer service and customer satisfaction! What Is Our Promise To Each of Our Customers? Here at Allegany Mountain Trail Saddles, there are no gimmicks, no false promises of making your horse gait better, or to correct those behavior problems.We won’t promise that we can fit every horse there is, but by trying one of our trees and/or the “Fit To Be Seen Forms” by “Steele” we will promise you this: Your saddle will fit your horse, which will make him or her more comfortable. Also we customize each saddle to your needs, which will make you more comfortable!

Allegany Mountain Saddlery- "Not ALL Saddles Are Equal"!

One of the many things (and there are many!) that set us apart, is that

Each of our saddles are built exclusively “One at a Time” put together by ‘One set of Hands”.

Quality control is held to the strictest standards! As everyone knows our saddle starts on a “ Steele Tree “ The next most important step is of course leather. Wicket and Craig have been tanning leather in North America for 140 yrs. In 1990 they moved their operation South from Canada to Pennsylvania. Their new facility is state of the art and very environmentally conscious. The leather we use is Drum dyed hand selected, 12 oz. Skirting leather. Hand selected 10-12 oz. Bridle leather. Our saddles are not stapled together as large production line saddles are. They are hand screwed together. Our hardware is of the highest quality stainless and brass.

providing a custom product at a production price!

What Sets Allegany Mountain Saddlery Apart From The Competition?

►Achieving the proper fit between saddle, horse and rider is essential for overall trail riding comfort. Because of our focus on quality and riding comfort, we primarily use saddle trees created by Steele Saddle Tree, LLC in all our custom-made saddles. Steele has been building saddle trees for over 150 years and is the recognized leader and authority in this industry. Their saddle trees provide AMS with numerous fitting options and the flexibility to create an unlimited range of styles and fits that conform to the size and shape of your horse as well as your riding discipline.

►Every saddle is individually hand crafted right here in the USA. Top quality leather is hand-picked from Wicket & Craig™ and our hardware is of only the highest quality brass and stainless steel. Our experienced saddlers integrate quality workmanship throughout the process from selection of leather and hardware to cutting and sewing to assembling your finished saddle.

►Each of our custom saddles is designed around you and your horse. AMS's saddle fitting kits simplify this process as much as possible fitting even the hardest-to-fit horses to create a tree that properly fits your horse. Allegany Mountain Saddlery has one of the most in-depth saddle fitting procedures available for remote fitting. We will personally work with you during each step in the construction process to ensure the best possible fit for your horse resulting in a saddle you will enjoy!

What If I Want A Different Tree For My Saddle?

We can build on a tree by any maker you wish if you would like to provide your own. Call us to explore your options. We will do what it takes for the complete satisfaction of you and your horse! What If I Don't Need A Custom Saddle? Some horses are just easy and maybe you are in a hurry to get a great deal on one of our completed or 'gently used' saddles. No problem! If you are not interested in a custom fitting, we also offer some straight run saddles in stock, both new and lightly used. Select from a variety of custom Wade saddles, endurance saddles, Amish saddles and many other western trail riding saddles.

We carry Quarter horse bar saddles, gaited saddles, draft saddles, mule saddles, custom tack to match your saddle and much, much more in our online Saddles Tack Shop! Do You Make Any Other Tack or Bridle Products? Yes!

As with our saddles, if you can dream it we can build it! We offer assorted tack items such as headstalls, reins, halter-bridles, rear cinches, saddle pads, bridles, reins and more!

These items can be ordered separately, or built alongside your saddle to mach perfectly the color, tooling and hardware. View our entire collection of products at our Accessories Tack Shop What Do Customers Say About Allegany Mountain Saddlery? Our Testimonial Page is filled with happy clients! I can't Believe the dedication to detail, the custom fit and the wonderful opportunity to get my horse a "once in a lifetime" saddle made just for her... and at such a Reasonable price. I have now owned this saddle for 10 years and it Still looks like NEW--I would refer Allegany Mountain Saddles to anyone-- thank you thank you!!Ann Pruitt- Director InfoHorse.comBailey and I are loving our saddle so much Staci. Just got back from a four day ride in the Pisgah Mountain Forest in NC. We rode many miles up and over many mountains and NO sore spots. And No sore Rider! Yeehaw!Shelia PerkinsI ordered a Renegade Endurance saddle custom fitted to my horse because I had had previous trouble fitting my former horse and I wanted to make sure this saddle fit my new horse. Staci was wonderful to work with and when I got my saddle I was thrilled at how beautiful it was - and even more thrilled that it fit my horse so well. The leather is beautiful and soft. I ordered a bridle to match recently. Again, it was beautiful and well made. I trail ride and a comfortable saddle is a must and I have found this saddle to be very comfortable. Love the hardware and all of the ties. Thanks so much!!Denise Talbot I got my new saddle today and took it for a ride. I can’t tell you how happy I am! It’s the perfect weight and the tooling is incredible! Thanks again for a once in a lifetime work of art. Edwynna Received my saddle and rode in it yesterday. I am so pleased! It is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in. It fits my gelding perfectly and never slipped. Not front to back or side to side. The workmanship is superb. Thank you for making such a nice saddle at a reasonable price and timeframe. Happy customer!Karol Order Your Custom Allegany Mountain Saddlery Saddle Today! Great saddles require great saddle builders! Our base price on most saddles is $2290-- and, our saddles should last a lifetime with proper care!

Make your saddle Custom FIT to your horse, with Amish craftsmanship, all for less than you can get just about anywhere! Call Staci and our friendly staff today to get started on the only saddle you will ever need for your horse-!

What makes an Allegany Mountain Saddlery saddle custom?

Every Allegany Mountain Saddlery saddle is built one at a time, by a single set of hands, and fitted specifically to your horse and your purpose. The company offers dozens of different saddle tree "bars" in a range of widths and will make intricate modifications for gaited horses, mules, quarter horses, drafts, and unusual builds. Because each saddle is shaped to one horse rather than to a template, the company describes its work as "hand-crafted, custom fit works of art" rather than production-line tack stapled together.

Allegany Mountain Saddlery tooled leather custom trail saddle detail

Who founded the company and who runs it today?

Allegany Mountain Saddlery was founded in 2004 by John Rettig of Western New York after he noticed, on trail-riding trips, horses developing white spots on their backs and turning sullen, reluctant, and sore as the miles wore on. Recognizing the need for affordable custom fitting beyond off-the-rack saddles, he built the business around solving poor saddle fit. Staci Saulter acquired the company in 2010 and has carried forward its commitment to product excellence, customer service, and satisfaction.

Allegany Mountain Saddlery Western All Around custom-fit saddle

What materials and trees go into each saddle?

Saddles are built on trees from Steele Saddle Tree, LLC, a tree maker with more than 150 years in the business, and finished in top-quality leather hand-picked from Wicket & Craig™. Hardware is limited to high-grade brass and stainless steel. The saddles are individually hand crafted in Western New York, drawing on Amish craftsmanship, so no two are mass-produced alike.

Allegany Mountain Saddlery hand-crafted Wade-style working saddle

How does remote saddle fitting work?

When an in-person fitting isn't possible, you order a fitting kit for $275, which includes outgoing shipping, a prepaid return label, and handling within the continental US; $200 of that applies toward your custom saddle. You return ten Steele "Fit to be Seen" forms placed just behind the shoulder blade, plus 45-degree photos from each side and the front, topline photos taken in daylight on level ground, and video of the horse walking straight. The team reads bar spread, length, and gullet width from those forms rather than guessing by breed, because "every horse is different."

What does it cost and what guarantee comes with it?

In-stock and lightly-used custom saddles run roughly $2,299 to $3,350, with models like the Kydaho Rancher listed at $3,350 (was $3,578) and the Barrel Runner at $2,950 (was $3,167). Allegany Mountain Saddlery backs every order, even fully custom builds, with a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee and reports a 93-95% success rate fitting even the hardest-to-fit horses. As the company puts it, there are "no gimmicks and no false promises."

Which saddle models and tack can you order?

The custom lineup includes the Barrel Runner, Ranch Riding, Western All Around, AMS Survivor, Cascade and Weatherly Wade, Kydaho Rancher, Renegade Endurance, and Plantation Trail saddles. The Tack Shop also carries Western headstalls, split reins and Mecate reins, halter-bridle combos, rear cinches, and breastcollars. To get started, reach the shop at (landline) or (mobile) at 10999 Persia Rd, Gowanda, NY 14070.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

Who is Allegany Mountain Saddlery — and how did the company come to be?

Per Allegany Mountain Saddlery: founded in 2004 by John Rettig of Western NY. While out on trail-riding trips, John observed many horses with white spots on their backs and witnessed horses becoming sullen, reluctant, or exhibiting behavior issues as rides wore on and they became more sore. The need for better saddle fit options than typical "off the rack" tack was clear. AMS provides "custom fit at an affordable price." After working with the company for a number of years, Staci Saulter acquired the company in 2010 and has furthered the goals of excellence in product, customer service, and customer satisfaction.

What's AMS's promise to customers?

Per Allegany Mountain Saddlery: "There are no gimmicks, no false promises of making your horse gait better, or to correct those behavior problems. We won't promise that we can fit every horse there is, but by trying one of our trees and/or the 'Fit To Be Seen Forms' by 'Steele' we will promise you this:

Your saddle will fit your horse, which will make him or her more comfortable
We customize each saddle to your needs, which will make you more comfortable

Per the company motto: "Not ALL Saddles Are EQUAL."

What's the construction discipline — "one at a time, one set of hands"?

Per Allegany Mountain Saddlery: each saddle is built exclusively "one at a time" put together by "one set of hands". Quality control is held to the strictest standards. Construction details:

Saddle starts on a Steele Tree
Wicket and Craig leather — tanning leather in North America for 140 years (moved operation from Canada to Pennsylvania in 1990; state-of-the-art and environmentally conscious facility)
Drum-dyed hand-selected 12 oz skirting leather
Hand-selected 10–12 oz bridle leather
Saddles are hand-screwed together (NOT stapled like large production-line saddles)
Hardware is highest-quality stainless and brass

Per the company posture: "We pride ourselves in providing a custom product at a production price."

Who is Steele Saddle Tree — and why does AMS use them?

Per Allegany Mountain Saddlery: Steele Saddle Tree, LLC has been building saddle trees for over 150 years and is the recognized leader and authority in the industry. AMS uses Steele trees primarily because they provide numerous fitting options and flexibility to create an unlimited range of styles and fits that conform to the size and shape of your horse AND your riding discipline. Per the company: achieving proper fit between saddle, horse, and rider is essential for overall trail-riding comfort.

What's AMS's remote saddle-fitting process?

Per Allegany Mountain Saddlery: "AMS has one of the most in-depth saddle-fitting procedures available for remote fitting." The process:

AMS saddle-fitting kits simplify the measurement process for even the hardest-to-fit horses
Team designs the tree to properly fit your specific horse
Team works with the rider personally during each step in the construction process
Goal: best possible fit for your horse + saddle you will enjoy

Can AMS use a different tree maker — and what about ready-to-ship saddles?

Per Allegany Mountain Saddlery:

Different tree: yes — AMS will build on a tree by any maker you wish if you'd like to provide your own. Call to explore options.

Ready-to-ship / used saddles: some horses are just easy, or maybe you're in a hurry. AMS offers straight-run saddles in stock, both new and lightly used:

Custom Wade saddles
Endurance saddles
Amish saddles
Western trail riding saddles
Quarter horse bar saddles, gaited saddles, draft saddles, mule saddles
Custom tack to match your saddle

All available in the online Saddles Tack Shop.

What other tack does AMS make?

Per Allegany Mountain Saddlery: "As with our saddles, if you can dream it we can build it!" Tack items available:

Headstalls
Reins
Halter-bridles
Rear cinches
Saddle pads
Bridles

Items can be ordered separately OR built alongside your saddle to match perfectly the color, tooling, and hardware.

What do customers say — including InfoHorse.com's own Director?

Voices from the source:

Ann Pruitt — Director, InfoHorse.com (10-year owner): "I can't BELIEVE the dedication to detail, the custom fit and the wonderful opportunity to get my horse a 'once in a lifetime' saddle made just for her... and at such a REASONABLE price. I have now owned this saddle for 10 years and it STILL looks like NEW — I would refer Allegany Mountain Saddles to anyone — thank you thank you!!"

Sheila Perkins (4-day ride, Pisgah Mountain Forest NC): "Bailey and I are loving our saddle so much Staci. Just got back from a four day ride in the Pisgah Mountain Forest in NC. We rode many miles up and over many mountains and NO sore spots. And No sore Rider! Yeehaw!"

Denise Talbot (Renegade Endurance saddle): "Staci was wonderful to work with and when I got my saddle I was thrilled at how beautiful it was — and even more thrilled that it fit my horse so well. The leather is beautiful and soft. I ordered a bridle to match recently. Again, it was beautiful and well made."

Karol: "It is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in. It fits my gelding perfectly and never slipped. Not front to back or side to side. The workmanship is superb. Thank you for making such a nice saddle at a reasonable price and timeframe."

To order: Staci Saulter at (716) 870-5123, email [email protected]. Address: 3069 Syler Road, Varysburg, New York 14167. Base price on most saddles: $2,290. Per the company: saddles should last a lifetime with proper care. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and leather/material-market conditions — confirm current pricing with AMS directly when scoping.

Where is Allegany Mountain Saddlery located?

Allegany Mountain Saddlery is located at 10999 Persia Rd, Gowanda, NY 14070, in Western New York. Every saddle is individually hand crafted there in the USA. You can reach the shop at 716-257-9574 (landline) or 716-277-4026 (mobile).

Who founded Allegany Mountain Saddlery, and when?

The company was founded in 2004 by John Rettig of Western New York. While out on trail-riding trips, he noticed horses developing white spots on their backs and becoming sullen, reluctant, and sore as the rides wore on, which convinced him there was a need for affordable custom saddle fitting. Staci Saulter acquired the company in 2010 and has continued its focus on product excellence and customer satisfaction.

What types of saddles does Allegany Mountain Saddlery make?

The custom lineup includes the Barrel Runner, Ranch Riding, Western All Around, AMS Survivor, Cascade and Weatherly Wade saddles, the Kydaho Rancher, the Renegade Endurance, and the Plantation Trail. They also build gaited, mule, quarter horse, and draft saddles. Every Western saddle is handmade and custom-fit to you and your horse.

How much does a custom saddle cost?

In-stock and lightly-used custom saddles generally run from about $2,299 to $3,350. For example, a new Kydaho Rancher has been listed at $3,350 (was $3,578) and a new Barrel Runner at $2,950 (was $3,167). Because each saddle is custom built, the final price depends on the model, tree, leather, and tooling you choose, so it's best to confirm current pricing directly with the shop.

What is the remote saddle fitting kit and what does it cost?

For customers who can't be fitted in person, Allegany Mountain Saddlery sells a fitting kit for $275. That price covers outgoing shipping, a prepaid return label, and handling within the continental US, and $200 of it applies toward your custom saddle purchase. If you decide not to buy a saddle, the $200 is retained as the fitting fee.

How does the remote fitting process actually work?

You receive ten Steele "Fit to be Seen" forms that you place just behind your horse's shoulder blade. You then send 45-degree photos from each side and the front with the forms in place, topline photos taken in daylight with the horse standing square on level ground, and video of the horse walking straight rather than in circles. The team reads bar spread, length, and gullet width from those forms and uploads everything to a shared Google folder.

What materials are the saddles made from?

Saddles are built on trees from Steele Saddle Tree, LLC, a tree maker with more than 150 years in business, and finished in top-quality leather hand-picked from Wicket & Craig™. The hardware is limited to high-quality brass and stainless steel. The saddles are hand crafted in Western New York using Amish craftsmanship.

Is there a satisfaction guarantee?

Yes. Allegany Mountain Saddlery offers a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee, and it explicitly applies even to custom saddles. The company states there are "no gimmicks and no false promises," standing behind both the saddle and the fitting process.

Can they fit hard-to-fit horses?

Yes, fitting difficult horses is one of their specialties. The company reports a 93-95% success rate creating custom Western saddles even for the hardest-to-fit horses. Because they read each horse's individual fit forms rather than relying on breed-based templates, they describe the possible fits as "almost limitless."

How long does it take to build a custom saddle?

Build time varies seasonally depending on the current workload. If the saddle tree you need is already in stock, the timeline can be reduced by roughly 5-6 weeks. The shop works personally with each customer throughout construction, so confirming the current lead time when you order is recommended.

What is a saddle tree and why does it matter?

The tree is the rigid internal frame that gives a saddle its shape and distributes the rider's weight across the horse's back. Allegany Mountain Saddlery uses trees from Steele Saddle Tree, LLC and offers dozens of different tree "bars" in various widths so the frame matches the individual horse. A correctly chosen tree is what prevents the soreness, white spots, and pressure points that poor-fitting saddles cause.

Do they make saddles for gaited horses, mules, and drafts?

Yes. Beyond standard quarter-horse builds, Allegany Mountain Saddlery makes gaited, mule, and draft saddles and can customize the tree for a specific breed or shape. They emphasize that every horse is different, so they make intricate modifications rather than forcing a standard template onto an unusual build.

What tack and accessories can I buy besides saddles?

The Tack Shop carries Western headstalls, split reins and Mecate reins, halter-bridle combos, rear cinches, and breastcollars. These accessories complement the custom saddles and are made to the same quality standard. You can ask the shop about matching tack when ordering a saddle.

What is the AMS Survivor saddle?

The AMS Survivor is one of Allegany Mountain Saddlery's custom saddle lines, positioned as a heavy-duty trail model within their handmade lineup. Like all their saddles, it is built one at a time on a fitted Steele tree and custom-shaped to your horse. Reach out to the shop to discuss the right bar, seat, and configuration for your riding.

Are the saddles made in the USA?

Yes. Every Allegany Mountain Saddlery saddle is individually hand crafted in Gowanda, in Western New York, using Amish craftsmanship. The company avoids mass-production line methods, building each saddle by a single set of hands instead of stapling them together in volume.

How do I order or get started?

You can call Allegany Mountain Saddlery at 716-257-9574 (landline) or 716-277-4026 (mobile), or visit them at 10999 Persia Rd, Gowanda, NY 14070. The website also lets you order the remote fitting kit and browse in-stock saddles. Starting with a fitting kit or a conversation about your horse and riding goals is the best first step.

Why do horses get white spots and sore backs from saddles?

White spots and soreness develop when a saddle puts uneven or excessive pressure on the horse's back, often because the tree doesn't match that horse's conformation. As pressure builds over a ride, horses can become sullen, reluctant, or develop behavior issues. Allegany Mountain Saddlery was founded specifically to address this through precise, individualized saddle fitting.