Buyer’s guide · Saddles
Custom Saddles: What They Cost, How Long They Take and What to Ask
A custom saddle is a long wait and a big deposit, and the makers who publish those details are the exception. We read four saddlemakers’ pages and set out what they say.
Prices and wait times in this guide were read from each maker’s own website on 5 October 2026. They change, so confirm with the maker before you order. We are not affiliated with any maker named here, and none paid to be included.
At a glance
- Waits: from 10 to 12 weeks at one maker to 18 months at another.
- Base prices: $3,650 at The Saddle House (no tooling) and $5,600 at Out West Saddlery. The other two don’t publish a price on the page we read.
- Deposits: $500 at The Saddle House and $800 at Cope Saddlery, both non-refundable.
- Fit: a saddle has to fit the horse as well as the rider. Out West says it helps with fittings for you and your horse.
What four saddlemakers publish
| Maker | Base price | Deposit | Current wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cope Saddlery | Not on the page (a separate price list is referred to) | $800, non-refundable but transferable. It “guarantees the price quoted up through the date the saddle was originally agreed to be completed.” | “My wait time is currently 18 months.” |
| The Saddle House | $3,650 (“All smooth or roughout, no tooling”). Tooled saddles $3,850 to $4,850 depending on the pattern. | $500, non-refundable, balance due when the saddle is finished | “currently running an estimated 4-7 months out, but delivery times may vary” |
| Out West Saddlery | “Our base price for custom saddles is $5,600.00” | Not stated | Not stated |
| Jeff Smith’s Custom Saddles | Not on the page | Not stated | 10 to 12 weeks |
What the deposit buys you
Two of the four state their deposit, and both are non-refundable. Cope’s is the more detailed: it is transferable, and it locks the quoted price through the date the saddle was originally agreed to be finished. Ask every maker whether the deposit moves with you if your plans change.
Fit: horse and rider
Out West Saddlery writes: “We help you do custom fittings for you and your horse or herd” and points to a saddle fitting guide on its site. Before you commit, ask who measures the horse, whether that is done in person or from photos and tracings, and what the maker does if the fit is off.
Questions to ask before you pay
- What is the wait today, and how often does it change?
- What is the base price, and what does tooling, silver and seat size add?
- Is the deposit refundable or transferable? Does it lock the price?
- How is the horse fitted, and who does it?
- What happens if the saddle doesn’t fit?
What we couldn’t find
Cope Saddlery’s prices, Out West’s wait, and Jeff Smith’s prices were not on the pages we read. We will add makers’ own figures as they list on Western Makers Hub.
Where this comes from
Every figure above was read on the page linked here, on 5 October 2026.
- Cope Saddlery: wait and deposit
- The Saddle House, custom saddles: base price, tooling, deposit, wait
- Out West Saddlery: base price and fitting
- Jeff Smith’s Custom Saddles: wait
For makers
Do you make saddles?
Buyers reading guides like this one are looking for someone to make it. Western Makers Hub lists independent makers with their starting price and current wait. The first 30 founding makers list free for 3 months.
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All guides are on the guides page.