CSST derives its name from the iconic stockyards of Chicago’s yesteryears. And like the cowboys of those days, Heath and Ben found themselves “pushing cattle” along the old routes of the Shawnee Trail from St. Louis and the Goodnight-Loving Trail from Denver to meet up in Chicago. There they met in common goals and interests that would found the company, Chicago Stockyard Saddle Tree.

How We Got Our Start

Chicago Stockyard Saddle Tree was established in 2009. But don’t let the young age of the company be deceiving. The company was set up by Heath Howes and Ben Haile, when they realized there needed to be a saddle tree company willing to meet the demands of the rider’s of today. CSST is driven to meet those demands such as: consistency, strength, availability, workability, and customization. ​

Meet the Guys

Heath Howes

Ben Haile

    Heath was born and raised on the Double H Ranch in Wyoming. It was ran and operated by both his grandfather, Thomas Hiestand and his father, Mark Howes. Heath began to ride and do rodeo at the age of 7. Learning to ride and about horses came from his parents. His mother was a competitive barrel racer and his father was and still is a saddle maker. As a saddle maker, Mark taught the way to properly fit the saddle to horse and rider. His dad and older brother began Laporte Saddle Tree 11 years ago and Heath has brought the ideas and methods he learned there to CSST. While LST makes great custom trees, Heath felt that there wasn’t enough availability to the “small shop” saddle makers. So he started his own business to bring a stock saddle tree that was just as consistent to the saddle makers needs, but more accessible. 

It was in rodeo, that Heath got the “performance bug.” He started acting when he was 13 and moved on to study at the University of Northern Colorado for a BA in Theatre Acting. Then he moved to Chicago to become a professional stage actor for the last 5 years. Through acting he’s retained an avid interest in the Old West and cowboy life.

     Ben was born into a horse-enthusiast family. He has been riding and training horses since the age of 8 in almost every discipline. The most training he received and the predominance of his competitions were in the Hunter / Jumper arena, although he never got tired of the Western style. He has served as a Barn Assistant to a number of stables helping with saddle fitting and proper padding techniques from Missouri to Florida and back. Now based in Chicago, Ben has found a new avenue for his love of horses and riders by making the riding experience as enjoyable for both participants as possible through the Lite-Ride saddle tree. 

Chicago is also the base of operations for Ben's acting career. He has been actively involved in the theatrical arts for over 10 years and is avidly trying to “make it” out there in the hard world of professional actors.