Over 110 Years of Cowboying!
Family Owned and Operated Since 1898
Western Boots, Tack, Custom Clothing, Custom Saddles & More.
Burns Saddlery Inc the oldest, continuous family-owned western business is celebrating its 110th year of business in Salina Utah; however the first owner of Burns Harness Shop Miles Lamonie Burns started his business way back in 1876 in the small town of Loa Utah.
Miles son Vivian opened his shop in Salina with a talent in producing high quality harnesses for horses. The demand became so great Viv hired three men to do the hand stitching while he did the cutting and fitting. Still, they couldn't keep up with the demand and, in 1912, Viv bought his first foot-powered harness stitcher.
Around that time Viv invented pack bags, a strapping arrangement which replaced the old Diamond Hitch. The design was later adopted by the U.S. Government.
During the Depression in the 1930's Viv and his wife, Ida, opened a new store on West Main Street in Salina, their sons, Vern and Don, learned the trade during that time when work horses made a comeback.
In 1944 Vern went into partnership with his father. Vern purchased a building at 60 West Main in 1946 which became the third location for the business in Salina. Viv continued in the business until he retired in 1952.
At that time the work horse was a thing of the past but saddle horses were growing in popularity. Vern shifted emphasis of the business to meet that demand and saddles, riding equipment and canvas products entered the inventory.
In 1959 Vern's son, Dan returned from an 11 -year stint in the U.S. Army to join the business. Vern made him a partner in 1962, also the year Vern received a patent for his invention---the Pik Pocket. The item hooked to the back of a pickup seat so when the seat back moved forward, the pocket opened to provide storage space.
Dan and his wife, Donna, bought the business in 1969 and began marketing their creation, the Indian Blanket-type seat covers, in 1971. The demand to manufacture seat covers were such that Dan moved the saddlery portion of the business to a building next door and converted the two story building into a manufacturing and shipping business.
In 1978, Dan and Donna's daughter Danna along with her husband Scott began their journey with Burns Saddlery. Scott worked with Donna in seat covers and in 1984 oversaw the construction of the new 13,000 square foot store. Danna became store manager introducing for the first time a females touch, adding clothing more boots, and western lifestyle gifts and accessories. Danna is currently Burns Saddlery's CEO.
In 1988 Dan passed on, leaving the business suddenly in the hands of his family. Donna remains to this day manufacturing her and Dan's invention, seat covers, she along with a 25 year employee Susan Williams manufactures and ships them all over the world.
In 1997 Scott and Danna started a mobile business setting up and selling products at key equestrian events throughout the west. In 1998 after receiving his business degree the sixth generation Braydan Shaw started his journey with the long standing family business. Braydan is currently General Manager. A couple years later his sister Destiny graduated and started contributing her talents to the business. Braydan's wife Misty currently manages the bookkeeping while Destiny's husband Dru also works for the company.
In 2007 Burns Saddlery got back into the horse trailer business, Dan had sold trailers in the 70's and 80's and Danna saw an opportunity with all of the new living quarter horse trailers. Destiny is the current horse trailer manager along with her husband Dru.
Scott's father, Wayland Shaw has worked for Burns Saddlery for over 15 years his abilities as a master craftsman has served Burns, as a leather craftsman, carpenter, and overall contributor.
Burns Saddlery currently attends 40 shows per year, giving them exposure and allows the business to be exposed out side their small rural setting in Salina.
The timeline has evolved from a business providing items of necessities to fine products for people who love horses and the life style and mystery the west provides.
