FAQ for the Equestrian Stuff
Q: How much does a custom piece cost?
A: It all depends upon what you want. Custom pieces are priced based upon what you want, level of authenticity (the closer to period, the more expensive), the estimated time of completion, materials (leather is more expensive than fabric), size of your horse (it takes more material to cover a draft body than an Arab body) and the general complexity of the project (all the work done by hand or by machine or a combination?). I can't give you an estimated price till I know what you want and have checked with my suppliers. Generally speaking the estimates are fairly close to the finished cost. Most differences are caused by problems w/ the suppliers or by misjudging the time needed to complete the project. Most cloth barding runs around $200 - $500. The leather stuff tends to run $500- $1500. So far, the most expensive piece of barding I've been asked to create was a large quilted leather piece with a solid wool felt underside. It is to be an authentic looking replica w/ hidden modern safety features. For all intensive purposes, it is a large bareback pad. The estimated cost on that one was $2500-3000. I've not made it yet as the gentleman is rounding up the down payment.
Q: Do you offer discounts on prices?
A: Yes. 10% discount for Sr. Citizens, Non-profit organizations (I need proof for both of theses) and on bulk orders of barding, tack, costumes or heraldry. (ie, you've got a medival calvary unit.) But not for anything else. I work hard on keeping my prices reasonable. I understand the concept of Horse poor. I'm not making a lot of money on this stuff.
Q: How authentic can you make your Medieval gear?
A: Well, with the exception of finding thick enough brain tanned leather for the barding, I can find most any item needed to make Reenactors grade authentic items (maybe even Museum grade stuff). What I can't find, I can make or have made. It's just near impossible to find heavy gauged leather that is tanned using period methods (and I've not the time or energy to do the tanning myself). The modern stuff is so much better in quality. I generally use veggie tanned leather anyway, which is about as close to period as you'll find in this day and age. If you can live with the veggie tanned leather, then we can come to an understanding. Just be aware that there is a premium on authenticity. The real stuff costs more for me to buy, is more labor intensive to put together, and will therefore cost you more money. As with most things, if you have a specific style or item in mind, send me some pictures, and I'll see what I can do.
Q: I like the look of the costume from (insert your favorite movie/ TV program here). Can you make me something like it only in a different color/size/etc. ?
A: Yes, just send me a picture or two, the requested changes and alterations, and I'll see what I can do. Generally speaking, if you have a picture of it, I can make it. Do be warned, I cannot make exact duplicate due to copyright laws.
Q: Do you make barding and armor for smaller horses?
A: Yep, just not often as most of the folks who are into this stuff use those massive beasties. Send me and e-mail and I'll see what I can do for you.
Q: I've got an English/western saddle that I want to disguise to look like a medieval saddle, Can you help me?
A: Yes, though the type of disguise will determine a large part of the cost of the item. Send me a picture of the saddle, and a picture of what you want it to look like, and I'll see what I can come up with.
Q: Do you make Medieval saddles/sidesaddles?
A: Maybe. I'm willing and able, but the liability insurance is nasty. Though I have no doubts in my ability to create a useful, sturdy, enduring and authentic medieval type saddle, my insurance agent does not share my faith in myself. He said something about having visions of people dying in nasty jousting accidents. If you are willing to sign a liability waver, I'll talk to you about it.
Q: Do you repair tack and saddles?
A: See the answer for "do you make Medieval saddles/sidesaddles?
Q: How safe is your stuff to actually use?
A: All of the barding, armor, heraldry, costumes, and what not are designed to be used. They are as safe and as durable as I know how to make them. I, my friends and my family use this stuff around the barn and in the show ring. Some items have built in safety features (i.e. Sidesaddle aprons w/ Velcro closures to prevent being dragged by your horse), while others are quality pieces of tack that are designed to help stabilize the rider (i.e.. Breast straps that attach to the saddle and the girth). Obviously nothing is indestructible. You, as the owner, are responsible for maintaining the items you purchase and keeping your eye out for normal wear and tear. ( By the way, having the barding cut by an edged sward does not qualify as "normal wear and tear". The original stuff wasn't designed to keep from being cut. It was designed to take the brunt of the damage so the horse wouldn't be hurt as bad. Why would you think what I make would be any different??)
Q: So, Mel, how did you get into this stuff anyway?
A: I fell into it. ;-) Actually necessity is the mother of invention. I started creating the training aids because we needed them around the barn, and I either didn't like what was available, or couldn't bare to spend the money on what was out there. The horse costumes came about because of my interest in showing Arabians (sidesaddle and Native Arabian) and because my hubby and I decided to have a Medieval wedding. The existing makers of Arabian show garb charge an arm and a leg. What they produce is very different from the desert original, and doesn't appeal to me. So I made my own. I couldn't afford the ready made sidesaddle attire which meant I had to make my own. At the time I got married, absolutely no one made Medieval barding. I have a personal website with my asundry exploits on it. The resulting e-mails from folks who were desperate for help lead me to creating this business. |
