MAYATEX
Mayatex creates gorgeous wool Navajo blanket saddle pads for Western riders. These authentic, traditional saddle pads are popular in the show ring and for everyday riding. Horse owners appreciate these wool pads for their practicality, comfort, and durability. Mayatex has been around since 1944. Though not originally in the saddle pad business, Mayatex benefits from weaving expertise and innovation learned from making other products. For 60 years, Mayatex has made beautifully woven and dyed Western saddle pads with eye-catching patterns, colors, and designs. From Navajo pads for daily riding to heavier Competition Series Navajo blanket pads for Western showing, riders will find the color, size, and style that is a perfect fit.
The founder of Mayatex, Joyce Dobkins, began her unusual journey in 1944, when she was 33 years old. She bought a car in New York City and drove to Guatemala by herself. Joyce relished the Guatemalan lifestyle and was fascinated by Mayan culture and textiles. She immersed herself in the creation of woven designs and, with her sister, Carmen Drake, created a weaving business. They developed and adapted their own dyeing and weaving techniques still in use today.
In 1959 Joyce and Carmen returned to the United States. They focused their business on weaving saddle blankets and eventually tapestries, rugs, and pet products. Their cross-border business in El Paso collaborated with weavers in Juarez, Mexico. During the years Joyce and Carmen developed innovative design and weaving techniques that set the standard for woven saddle blankets, tapestries and floor coverings. Joyce worked in the business until the age of 83. Today, the business that was started by this modern and adventurous woman is still thriving. Mayatex is now owned and operated by James Drake and Pi Crowley, who are committed to the same goals as Joyce and Carmen - creating beautiful, useful, comfortable Mayatex blankets that satisfy the needs of both horse and rider.
