Jeff has been working with leather since 1968. We started making custom saddles full time in 1994 in a small shop in Brownsville, Texas. From South Texas we moved the shop to Capitan, New Mexico. In Capitan I enjoyed briefly working for Harry Jones (now in Midland, Odessa) who helped me refine my skills. "Thanks Harry". Before long we had to move to California to look after some family business. We opened up in the Northern California town of Susanville.
In 2006 after our family obligations were completed it was back to Texas for us! That's when we opened our shop in Graham, about 90 miles west of Fort Worth. All of our services are by appointment only. Please call anytime.
Brownsville, TX 1994
Jeff has built and repaired lots of saddles and made many other custom leather items over the past 40 some years. We don't have pictures of most. Like testimonials, one can pick and choose what looks best for advertising and you still won't know what kind of quality your getting until you have the finished product. The work must stand on it's own!
This web site is designed to inform you as to what we are all about. If you will feel better in knowing more of my background and want answers because you are considering our products please call. I am happy to visit with you. The products reflect my personal interests in practical California style horsemanship. Jeff's preference is what "works" best for the horse and rider.
All of what is on this site must be ordered and much is special order. If you want it now, likely we can't help you. Our customers understand what is involved in the custom or hand made process and are willing to wait for the product. And almost always in life patience is rewarded! We don't "Over Charge". We charge Fairly", you really do get what you pay for! Call or come by.
Jeff and Jane, Capitan, NM 1999
Jeff: Susanville, CA 2003
Ed Silva, Cameron Park Stables 1974
Dave Silva, Master Saddlemaker
In 1968 I met Mr. Ed Silva. For me he was a real Cowboy, Buckaroo, Reinsman, Ranch Manager and Horse Trainer. He rode a handmade Visalia 3B full tooled slick fork and had an exact copy for future replacement. Both saddles were made by Dave Silva of Silva's Village Saddlery in Sacramento.
Ed was a big influence in my life. As a teenager I started learning how to train horses and Ed Silva was my role model. Some forty years I am still Riding Hackamore horses and hopefully still learning. Sadly, there are not many men like Ed around. And learning was a process of many hours of riding and quiet observation. You didn't learn fast, but you mastered and retained what you did learn. I feel that the "old timers" were not so much closed mouthed as they were concerned that you really wanted to learn and were willing to take the time.
Looking back, I have come to realize that both Ed Silva and his close friend Dave (not related) were the real deal and I value my memories of both men. I came to know Dave thru Ed and whenever I could get from Shingle Springs to Sacramento, it was straight to Silva's Saddlery. I would hang around for hours, especially in the winter. I am sure Dave had better things to do than to put up with a kid hanging around. But, he never indicated so, he was always friendly, kind and patient and didn't hide his "secrets". So I have grown up with the influence of these men as the standard to aim. When I was in Texas the only way to talk to Dave was long distance and he always took the time for my questions. Whenever I saw or talked to him, he always asked: "Still riding colts?" and "How's your folks". I always felt that he was a genuine person first and a saddle maker second.
Dave Silva, passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2007. David was born in San Jose, Calif., on February 6, 1921, to Juana and John Silva.
His father John was a cinch-maker when David was young, so David went with him to saddle shops all over California delivering hand-spun cinches. David was enthralled with the old time saddle-makers and dreamed of becoming one. After the war, he eventually was hired by the famous Visalia Stock Saddle company, where he became a master at hand-tooling leather. Over the years, he was trained to not only tool leather but to make the well-known Visalia saddles and was the last head saddle maker / foreman for the company. The Visalia saddle shop was destroyed in the Town & Country Village fire in 1963, so he opened his own shop, Silva's Village Saddlery, at 2628 Marconi Avenue. The shop thrived as both a retail saddle shop and custom saddlery for thirty-four years.
David made many friends during those years at the shop. The old time "general store" atmosphere of the shop drew old timers and young buckaroos as well. After David's retirement, he was honored with the Don King Saddlemaker of the Year Award.
