Paul Van Dyke

About us

Good horses and good gear

My interest in good horses and gear began early in life. It was no surprise that this interest led me to pursuing both as a career. As I served two saddlery apprenticeships — under Ron Silverman and Don Butler — I also continued developing my skills as a horseman. I did this primarily by working with different horsemen, cowboying and starting colts.

In May 2004 I officially went on my own. For years, starting colts was a big part of the business. These days, I train a few of my own, mostly for showing and use at the ranch. Most of my time now goes into building saddles and teaching — at the Sheridan School of Saddlery and through my online courses.

So far I have built more than 400 saddles, and helped others build about 100 more — most of them students at the school.

It still gives me great satisfaction to go to a branding and see a horse I started quietly dragging calves — and then turn to see a good hand riding one of my saddles.