The Visalia Saddle was one of the more popular saddles of its day and is still a saddle being made and in use by Vaqueros. The tree and the saddle were originally developed around 1870 by the Visalia Saddle Company which was taken over by David E. Walker. Walker was a very savvy businessman who after buying out his former partner in the enterprise set about selling saddles via mail order and through catalogues. Back then the saddles sold for about $50.00 each and were popularized for the quality of materials and workmanship as well as their lightness compared with the old Spanish style saddles. Although the company has changed hands several times the saddles continue to be made by the Visalia Saddle Company.
