Surrounded by rocks, trees and lakes. Not really where one would expect to find a world class saddle maker.

In 2004 my wife purchased a new horse after her childhood horse of 27 years passed away. She learned that this new horse (inappropriately named “Little Joe” by his previous owners) was far too large for the saddle she currently had. We were advised by horseman Glenn Stewart that if we wanted a saddle to fit properly we should look at getting one custom-made. Glenn gave us some names of saddle makers in B.C. and Alberta and we asked him if he had ever heard of a saddle maker from Dryden by the name of William (Bill) Watt. Glenn said he was not familiar with that name.

When it comes time to making important decisions my wife tends to ponder things to ensure she makes the right decision. (We dated for 8 years!) I suggested we talk with Bill and see what he had to offer. He lives down the road. What did we have lose?

Growing up in Dryden everyone knew Bill Watt. He was the guy with the big mustache that announced at the horse shows and worked with leather. I knew this because each year at the Dryden Fall Fair he would donate custom made leather halters to the best show person in the 4-H steer club.

Prior to going over to see Bill, my wife and I were watching a DVD on saddle fitting by a well respected horsewoman who made the comment if you are looking for the best English saddle look at a “Balance saddle” and if you are looking for the best western saddle tree get a “Jeremiah Watt tree”. The light went on. Jeremiah Watt is Bill’s younger brother also from Dryden now living in California. Susan’s mind was made up… well sort of. We arrived at Bill’s saddle shop and Bill asked her what type of saddle she wanted. I had no idea that a saddle could have more options than a car! Bill showed us pictures of some of the saddles he had built over the years. They were all beautiful; each one a work of art in its own right. Susan gave Bill a couple of ideas and left the rest up to his artistic design. As we talked, Bill modestly told us that his saddles have been sent all over the world.

After leaving Bill’s home and saddle shop I wondered how someone with this much talent could be so unknown in his own home town. I decided to make it my mission to get Bill the notoriety he deserves.

In 1962, the Watt family moved to a small farm house outside Dryden, ON, and I imagined a young William Watt (Bill) being asked what he was going to be when he grew up. I’m very sure saddle maker did not roll off his tongue!

Knowing Bill, one can only speculate what his answer was, but the path that lead him to this unique trade played out like this. In 1969, he left Dryden and went to Oklahoma to become a farrier, returning to Canada to be a cowboy from 1970-75 riding bulls and bucking horses until, as Bill says “they knocked some sense into me”. During his rodeo days he found himself broke and sometimes too busted up to ride so he began repairing his and other riders gear. Bill grew to love the feel and smell of the leather he worked with.

In 1977, he and his brother Jeremiah Watt headed south and enrolled in a saddle making program at the Texas State Institute of Technology in Amarillo, Texas. To hone his skill further he apprenticed at “Capriollas” in Elko, Nevada until returning to Dryden in 1979. Bill continued to make saddles and other leather products part-time while working full-time in construction to assist his wife Pat in the raising of their children, Erin and Dusty.

In 1995, Bill headed south again, this time to California to retrain with his brother Jeremiah who had established himself as a well-known saddle maker. In 1997, he returned home and started Bill Watt Saddlery where he has been manufacturing his own custom saddles and western gear, as well as Watt Bros. Stock Saddles ever since.

While interviewing Bill he told me the story of the first saddle that the brothers made in 1978 with the help of their roommate Padro Pedrini (now also a famous saddle maker). As Bill put it “the deal here is, it was sort of a side job that we built in our apartment on an arm chair, wasn’t much of a saddle but it helped pay the bills!” During our conversation I asked Bill if he had ever made any saddles for famous people or horsemen? Bill quietly said, “Well I’ve made a few for Pat Parelli, Dennis Reis and, oh yeah, one for Buck Brannaman that was used on the horse in the movie ‘The Horse Whisperer’ starring Robert Redford.” Bill went on to say that he had supper with Bill Dorrance (one of the greatest horsemen to ever live) as if it were no big deal!

Bill’s workmanship is artistic perfection; everything on his saddles has to be perfect. If it’s not he will literally throw it out and start over. I don’t think there is a carving design or idea he will not tackle, I’ve seen him carve a “Polish Chicken” in the horn of a saddle with peacock plumes on the fenders!

When you get a saddle made by Bill it is truly a one of a kind saddle, it is a work of art… but don’t keep it on the saddle rack to be admired as that will only hurt his feelings. Bill wants his saddles to be used for what they were intended, hard work! When Bill was customizing Susan’s saddle he actually placed and tried several trees made by his brother on her horse’s back to make sure she had the perfect fit for her horse. Making truly a custom one of a kind saddle!

My wife waited 35 years for her custom made Bill Watt saddle with hand carved silver and loves it, but doesn’t let it get dust or rain on it. If only I could get her to think the same way about our truck!

On the other hand, I did things a little differently and purchased a Bill Watt Wade saddle before I got a horse! A real cowboy saddle. I may not know what I’m doing, but hey can’t a guy dream? If you are in the market for a custom saddle take a look closer to home, you might be surprised at what you will find.?

If you would like more information on Bill Watt’s saddles he can be contacted at bpwatt@drytel.net. If you’re passing through Dryden stop in and have a visit. Like his ad says “the coffee pot is always on!”