Big Bend Saddlery

Big Bend Saddlery is not merely a retail space but a living archive of craftsmanship, with a lineage that stretches back to 1905. While the shop’s name emphasizes its primary trade, the interior reveals an expansive emporium that transcends the needs of the equestrian. Here, artisans continue a tradition of custom leatherwork that includes everything from hand-tooled belts and wallets to rugged rifle scabbards and holsters, each molded for a precise fit. Their silverwork is equally renowned, with custom-engraved wedding rings and graduation buckles that serve as heirloom-quality markers of regional identity.

For those who have never set foot in a stirrup, the saddlery offers a curated slice of desert life. The shelves are stocked with an eclectic mix of high-quality goods, including Pendleton blankets, cowhide rugs, and cast iron pans. Literature enthusiasts can find rare books about Big Bend National Park or the latest “Hank the Cowdog” adventure, while those looking to dress the part can browse a deep collection of denim work shirts and custom-fitted hats. The hat service is a particular point of pride; staff will meticulously steam, pinch, and shape a hat to perfectly match the wearer’s profile.

Despite its growth into a regional landmark, the shop remains fundamentally “true to the cowboy.” It functions as a vital supply station where ranch hands pick up lariats, spurs, and lariat ropes. By maintaining this dual identity—serving both the professional cattleman and the modern visitor—Big Bend Saddlery ensures that the heritage of the American West remains a tangible, functional part of the Alpine community.

Beyond the expansive inventory, the soul of Big Bend Saddlery is deeply tied to the tenure and craftsmanship of its owner, Gary Dunshee. A fixture of the Alpine community since the early 1970s, Dunshee’s journey with the shop began shortly after he moved from New Mexico to attend Sul Ross State University. He started working at the saddlery in 1971 under previous owner George Nix and eventually purchased the business in 1978, steering it through decades of evolution while maintaining its commitment to the working cowboy.

Dunshee is widely recognized not just as a business owner, but as a master saddle maker whose expertise is sought after nationwide. His reputation for quality is such that he was selected to represent the Southwest as a saddle maker at the National Bicentennial Celebration in Washington, D.C., in 1976. He was also the first Texas saddle maker invited to the prestigious “Trappings of the Great American West” exhibition. His dedication to the craft extends beyond his own workbench; he was a co-founder of the Trappings of Texas event in Alpine, which has spent over 30 years celebrating the intersection of fine art and functional cowboy gear.

Inside the shop, Dunshee’s influence is visible in the rigorous standards applied to every piece of leather that leaves the building. He is known for sitting “side by side” with aspiring craftsmen, mentoring a new generation of artisans in the precise geometry of saddle trees and the nuances of hand-stitching. This culture of mentorship ensures that the traditional techniques of the late 19th and early 20th centuries—many performed on vintage machinery from the 1900s—remain a living practice in Alpine rather than a lost art. Under his leadership, the saddlery has maintained its status as a vital institution where the gear is as rugged as the Trans-Pecos terrain it was designed to navigate.