Robert Thompson Frazier (Oct. 3, 1850 - July 27, 1931) was one of the three premier Pueblo saddle makers (Along with Gallup and Tom Flynn) who were instrumental in the development of the Western saddle as it is today. He took the saddle as it was in the late 1880's -- an undependable, uncomfortable piece of equipment that was liable to come off the horse and break the horn or tree while chasing and roping cattle and turned it into a strong and sturdy, reliable, comfortable piece of equipment that was so well-made and beautifully adorned that it became much more than the sum of its' parts-- it became the status symbol that was The Pueblo Saddle.
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R.T. Frazier Saddle - Catalog Number 3316 {Montana Sterling Horn Tree} |
The first Pueblo saddles were made by S. G. Gallup (of Gallup and Gallatin) in 1870. R. T. Frasier went to work for Gallup in 1880 after fighting in the Civil War and a period in the 1870's as Deputy Sheriff in Leadville where he also opened a saddle shop. Taught saddlemaking by his father, he was an avid researcher and innovator who worked extensively with cowpunchers to create the perfect seat.
The high swell and deep cantle made riding safer when working with herds of rough animals in difficult terrain. The saddles were often double-cinched, which increased the stability for the rider. Advancing the invention [by Texans Joseph and Harry Still] of a cast iron horn instead of the old wooden horn, Frasier was the first to use polished brass or nickel exposed horns.
Frasier did offer many saddles which were made with a leather-covered steel horn screwed to the tree after improving the features to better serve ropers and cowpunchers. The exposed-horns were not useful for roping and the resulting saddles were generally the property of ranchers and other people of high means and society. The Pueblo saddles had skirts were enlarged to protect the horse and rider from the additional gear they were carrying. Frazier’s trademark became the phrase “Builder Of The Famous Pueblo Saddle”.
The high swell and deep cantle made riding safer when working with herds of rough animals in difficult terrain. The saddles were often double-cinched, which increased the stability for the rider. Advancing the invention [by Texans Joseph and Harry Still] of a cast iron horn instead of the old wooden horn, Frasier was the first to use polished brass or nickel exposed horns.
Frasier did offer many saddles which were made with a leather-covered steel horn screwed to the tree after improving the features to better serve ropers and cowpunchers. The exposed-horns were not useful for roping and the resulting saddles were generally the property of ranchers and other people of high means and society. The Pueblo saddles had skirts were enlarged to protect the horse and rider from the additional gear they were carrying. Frazier’s trademark became the phrase “Builder Of The Famous Pueblo Saddle”.
Frasier made a deal with the Miller Brother's to supply their renowned 101 Wild West Show with saddles for their Cowboys and Cowgirls. His double-rig was perfect for a solid anchoring of the saddle and horse, as preferred by the cowboys in the area as well as by stunt-riders.
The saddles were heavy and made of thicker leather than other saddles, making them quite heavy, but last longer. The weight led some riders of the time (especially those from Montana and Wyoming, where saddles tended to be single-rigging, light rigs) to call them "horse cripplers" but they continued to be incredibly popular.
The saddles were heavy and made of thicker leather than other saddles, making them quite heavy, but last longer. The weight led some riders of the time (especially those from Montana and Wyoming, where saddles tended to be single-rigging, light rigs) to call them "horse cripplers" but they continued to be incredibly popular.
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