Kristian Beverly

Tack

If you want to make tack there are a few big businesses that cater solely to model horse people.

Rio Rondo is one of the best. You can get everything you need from here. Western saddle trees, bits, etc. They also offer kits. If you want to try making western tack I highly recommend their western saddle kit. Rio rondo also sells bridle kits, boot kits, and halter kits.

Unicorn Woman is a smaller business but she sells hardware. She also sells kits. I used to buy my Kangaroo Lace there too.

World of Model Horses is very similar to Rio Rondo. She sells trees, bits, and other hardware. Here you’ll find western trees but also Native American, side saddle, and even English saddle trees.

There are many places to buy leather from.
I buy my hides from The Hide House. They sell calf hides that are thin and smooth. The hides are great quality. The hide I bought is going to last me for years.

Over the past few years I’ve tried a bunch of companies for leather lace. Amazing Lace is my favorite.

Another seller that sells kangaroo lace is rooleather on eBay.

Books

There are numerous hobby books to help out a novices and seasoned tack makers.

Timaru Star II-Sue is one of the best tack makers in the hobby. She’s an awesome braider and saddlemaker. She wrote a book about tack that includes numerous how-tos for various types of tack. It’s been reprinted numerous times and she now offers it in PDF form. Go get it.

Kerioke Tack
She has written a great selection of tack books, but now she also has an online tack school. I own many of them and they are helpful for a beginner or an advanced maker that wants to pick up more skills. It’s a great starting off point. New for 2018 she also will sell just her pattern for a very reasonable price.

Kimberly Smith Tack Journal
She is no longer in the hobby, or so it seems, but if you’re able to find a copy of this you won’t regret it. This tack journal focuses on western with tooling and saddle patterns. There’s also a how-to for packing saddles.

Free Resources

Braymere Custom Saddlery
Jennifer Buxton’s blog has been around since 2007.  Over the years she’s posted many helpful tips and tutorials related not only tack but also customizing and painting.

Desktop Studios
Nichelle Jone has been running her blog since 2008. She has also posted numerous helpful how-to tutorials that span from tack to photos.

Anna Helt specializes in teeny tiny tack. She makes English, Western and other. She posts tips and tutorials that relate to mini scales.

Shoestring Saddlery
Leah Koerper is DIY. She customizes models and makes props and tack. She caters to the Do-it-yourself performer and posts tutorials and how-tos there.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the series and it helps when tracking down supplies for models.