Great Time tested Wonderful SADDLES made by MITTLEIDERS MERIDIAN SADDLE SHOP in MERIDIAN, Idaho

#682 after being ridden from 1967 to 2006 by Dean Essex-Just sent it back to the "shop" for a little "refurbishing". The original saddle order was sent in by Frank Arcularius on 20 Nov 1967.


Gary Mittleider made saddles for us in the 1980-90s. The quality and design still carries into the future. Mike is carrying on the tradition.

I will try to get photos of a saddle made by Don for Kathy Combelic-Wonderful artwork-Doves and quail on one side-a lion on a buck deer on the other. She had this saddle made about 1970. Still rides it .

Connie Hoge riding in #729 in the process of breaking and training Kari-the new love of her life-Both Connie and the mare are gonna make it. Connie got her new "Clone" of #729 last week. It was slightly modified to be used for endurance and tailored to Connie. This # 729 saddle was made by Don Mittleider and Connie's new saddle was made by Mike Burnhart-the current saddle-maker at Meridian Saddle Shop. Same quality as always.



Suzanne Smith sitting in #682 prior to ordering a "Clone"


This is #682-my saddle. Been used steadily since 1967
All of the below Saddles were made in Mittleiders Meridian Saddle Shop in Meridian,Idaho. I first had one ordered for me by Frank Arcularius of Tonopah,Nevada. At that time I was running the Monitor Ranch east of Austin, Nevada and Frank owned the ranch on our southern border

This saddle-#682 was made by Don Mittleider in November, 1967. We were riding wonderful big -half Thoroughbred -half Percheron horses that we caught on THE MONITOR Ranch. Kinda-a 1500# bay 5 year old we caught to make saddle horses was named because we didn't know what he was-kinda big-or kinda bad-caught as a 5 year old- never been in a corral before.. Riding these horses was exciting and you damned sure better be ready to ride when you topped one of these range raised horses. You could turn these horses outside in the winter and they didn't even need shoes.

This is #729 made by Don for Kim Cochrane-in about 1971-one of my longtime friends. It was made for her when she was about 12 years old. When she "grew up", I bought it from her for my son Charles-Put it under the Christmas Tree. She came up to see us a little while ago and she still "fit the saddle'. She was proud of that.



Measuring #729----It is interesting that all these saddles will fit 1,500 pound half-percherons and still fit little short backed Arabs. They all fit yearling thoroughbreds during breaking and are good to gallop the racehorses before they go back into training. Basic good saddle design allows for a pretty good fit of most horses. The saddles don't need to fit absolutely perfect. I have never seen a "white spot" on any horse who have been ridden with these saddles regardless of type of horse.



More #729 --I have spent my whole life with horses in several aspects. A real saddle certainly helps your "riding confidence ability." Both you and the horse has fun. All need to have fun. And the best part--THESE SADDLES DON'T LEAK.