It all began in 1953, in the heart of the high desert of eastern Oregon, where Donn grew up. After school, he'd head
right to the saddle shop, immersing himself in the craft that would become his
life's work. Donn learned early on that the fit of the saddle to the horse was
paramount. This remains the cornerstone of his saddle designs today.

Fast forward to 1966, when Donn’s journey took a new turn. He was riding broncs
and honing his craft making bronc saddles, each design, meticulously crafted to
support the rider while allowing the horse freedom of movement. It was this
commitment to excellence that laid the foundation for Leson Saddles' reputation
for quality and innovation.

In 1972, his focus shifted to the horse show community, where he specialized in
pleasure horse and cow horse saddles that combined elegance with performance. Then
in 1978, he delved into the world of cutting horse saddles, introducing the
first ever cut-up, close-contact skirt – a game-changer in the industry.

But it was in 1990 that Donn's vision truly took flight. At the Quarter Horse
Congress, he witnessed an NRHA event for the first time, and a spark ignited.
He saw the potential for a better saddle, one that would elevate the
performance of both horse and rider. And so, the journey began to craft the
perfect reining saddle—a journey that continues to shape his designs to this
day. Every reining saddle in the Leson collection traces its roots back to that
moment of inspiration.

In 2000, he introduced the Security Blanket—a saddle pad that enhances saddle
fit and comfort, helping even the most sensitive horses to perform at their
peak. And in 2020, he pushed the boundaries once again, designing a carbon
fiber saddle tree specifically for western performance horses—a tree that is lighter,
stronger, and more symmetrical than ever before.

Today, in 2024, as Leson Saddles continues moving forward, Donn is working with
veterinarians and performance horse trainers, utilizing cutting-edge technology
to create saddles with an even more perfect fit. Because at Leson Saddles, our
journey is far from over. Donn is committed to pushing the limits of
innovation, always striving to give horses and riders the tools they need to
reach new heights of performance and connection. Join us on this journey and
experience the difference of a Leson saddle—where tradition meets innovation.