ONE saddler travels far and wide to serve his customers. FIONA ALLAN reports

Tasmanian mobile saddler Rick Allen is the only one of his kind.

Three years ago, he took his saddlery expertise on the road to go where the work was.

It has been such a success, he regularly ventures from Tunnack in Tasmania's southern midlands, across Bass Strait to serve customers from Yarrawonga to Omeo.

"The best part about it is the people you meet, followed by the travelling side of it and the amazing scenery as we get to see a lot of country," Rick says.

Rick and wife Lesley make, mend, sew and stitch goods for 350 customers in two states.

"Initially it grew so big we got tired and were never home, so we then decided to do a three-week circuit, and we do it four times a year, so we get longer periods at home," Rick said.

The work can range from run-of-the-mill saddles, horse blankets, bridles and whips to canvas, leather and synthetic materials, including odd bits of gear such as potato digger covers, child-seat straps and bike-seat covers.

"We mostly deal with horses but because we have an industrial sewing machine we do just about anything," Rick said.

An ex-Navy electrician, Rick's hobby was in leather work and he has been doing it professionally for 30 years.

He has had a shopfront in Hobart, ran a horse trekking business for 13 years and now, along with the mobile saddlery, has a saddlery school where people are taught leather-working skills.

The idea to go "on the road' came about after an East Gippsland customer who wanted a saddle built said: "it is too far to come to you, how about you come to us?"

Rick found 21 people to visit at the same time.

"We were coming and going to make the stuff and we thought, why don't we put the sewing machine in the back of the float?" he said.

They quickly progressed to a small truck and now they have a custom built truck that is fully self-contained with sleeping quarters, kitchen, bathroom and workshop. Most of their business is by appointment so they dictate how long they spend at each place.

"It seems to work because we're consistent and when we say we are coming back, we do," Rick said.

Rick admits he has not always had a passion for horses.

"I was a leather worker first when people started calling me a saddler and I had actually never been on a horse," he said.

Rick says the industry was changing every day.

"We can't compete with cheap Chinese imports and throw-away gear," he said.

The couple have designed the first synthetic whip in Australia.

It took them a year to get it right but it's proven popular as it can be used in wet or muddy conditions, Rick says.