Photo taken on February 9, 2026 shows Haztay Hamza displays his cultural and creative product, a miniature horse saddle.

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Zou Yi) news: On the morning of February 9, 2026, in a 30-square-meter workshop located in Dongnangou Village, Xihu Street, Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe District), northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, five or six people stood in a circle, their eyes fixed on a saddle sent from Kazakhstan. Haztay Hamza was guiding his apprentices in "assessing the condition" of this saddle that had traveled from afar. He is a representative inheritor of the Kazak traditional saddle-making craft in Xinjiang, which is a Urumqi municipal-level intangible cultural heritage representative item.

Photo taken on February 9, 2026 shows Haztay Hamza processes accessories of horse saddle.

Photo taken on February 9, 2026 shows Haztay Hamza makes horse saddle.

With steady hands, he lifted the saddle and slowly turned it halfway, angling its side toward the light. Squinting one eye, he carefully traced the curve of the saddle arch with his gaze, his fingertips lightly brushing the wooden surface. Within moments, he pinpointed the exact flaw. "The front arch leans slightly to the left." As soon as he spoke, he gently scraped his pinky nail across the wood, leaving an almost imperceptible line. "A discrepancy of just this one millimeter means the left side bears more pressure than the right when the horse gallops. Over time, this not only hurts the horse's back but also compromises the rider's stability and safety." The onlookers leaned in for a closer look, each of them struck with admiration for his precise and meticulous judgment.

Now 49 years old, Haztay is a fourth-generation master saddler in his family. Since the age of 12, he has been systematically learning and preserving the craft of saddle-making under the guidance of his grandfather and father, a commitment that has lasted 38 years. “A good saddle must fit the horse perfectly while also protecting the rider. There is no room for even the slightest carelessness,” said Haztay. Over these 38 years, he has dedicated himself to deep study and relentless refinement, mastering a unique skill: crafting saddles entirely by hand, without using any molds. Without relying on calipers or templates, he precisely controls the saddle’s angle, width, and curvature through sight and touch alone, holding every detail of the craft firmly in his mind.

Photo taken on February 9, 2026 shows Haztay Hamza explains to his apprentice how to identify whether a nail is misplaced by the sound it makes.

Photo taken on February 9, 2026 shows Haztay Hamza explains his collection of saddles to tourists and villagers at the village’s history hall.

In his workshop, hand tools such as saws, files, chisels, and hammers are neatly arranged, while the corners are piled with saddles sent from all over the world awaiting restoration and correction. Haztay busies himself shaping wood with a plane one moment and demonstrating sanding techniques to his apprentice the next. "For every saddle I make, from selecting the wood and shaping it to sanding and embellishing, I insist on completing almost every step entirely by hand," Haztay explained.

Bolatbek Nuya, who was formerly a blacksmith, has been learning the craft of saddle-making from Haztay in recent years. He says his master is extremely strict about details, even a millimeter of discrepancy requires re-sanding. "Horses can't speak, but their backs can 'feel,'" he explains. "We can never cut corners with our craftsmanship."

Today, Haztay's masterful craftsmanship has gained widespread recognition, attracting enthusiasts from both within China and abroad who come to place custom orders or have their saddles restored. He has also led his apprentices in developing a series of miniature equestrian cultural and creative products. By involving fellow villagers in crafting accessories and components, he has helped create new avenues for local residents to increase their income.

Photo taken on February 6, 2026 shows Haztay Hamza (second from right) introduces the horsewhips he crafted to customers at the New Year's Goods Fair held in Majiazhuangzi Village, Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe District), northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on February 6, 2026 shows two university graduates who have returned to their hometown sell horsewhips crafted by Haztay Hamza via livestreaming.

Sunlight filters through the window lattice, spilling over the smoothly polished saddle wood and glinting on Haztay's focused face. With a finger that discerns the finest margin and a craftsman's spirit that safeguards tradition, for over 38 years, he has used wood as his medium and his hands as his measure. In doing so, he has steadfastly preserved the Kazak traditional saddle-making craft, ensuring that this heritage, which has been passed down through every stroke of the plane and every tap of the chisel, continues to burn bright, enduring and ever-renewed.

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