Making Your Own Western Saddle

Though there are many different saddles available, including English saddles, sidesaddles, and dressage saddles, western saddles are the most common choice for recreational riders in the United States. These saddles, which were originally developed by cowboys in the 1800s, are designed for comfort, security of seat, durability, and longevity. However, these saddles can be quite costly to purchase, so many people are learning how to make a western saddle for their own use.

The Materials Needed to Make a Western Saddle

Before attempting to make a western yourself, you’ll need to invest in the correct materials. Make sure you are purchasing only quality parts and materials, consulting a professional if necessary before you invest in saddle parts. You’ll want to purchase the best materials you can afford.

You’ll first need a wooden saddle rack to sit the saddle on while you work on assembling the pieces. These are available at most tack supply shops. Purchase a saddle rack that can bear your weight so that you can test your saddle as you assemble the proper parts.

Perhaps the most necessary materials are your prefabricated saddle parts. This will include items such as the stirrups, skirt pieces, and fenders as well as additional pieces. Buy these as a set, not individually, to be sure that they will all fit together properly. Do not attempt to make these pieces yourself, unless you are an expert leatherworker. Saddle parts have to fit together perfectly for the comfort of both the rider and the horse, so save yourself some trouble and buy the pieces you need.

A saddle tree forms the very basis of your saddle. A saddle tree is a wooden frame to which you will attach the saddle part. Make sure that you purchase a saddle tree of the appropriate size for the prefabricated saddle parts you bought. If they are not the correct size, the parts will not fit on the saddle tree correctly. Most saddle trees, though wood at the core, come covered in rawhide. If you are a beginner, you should purchase a saddle tree with the ground seat already in place.

You will have to purchase enough felt or wool to cover the underside of the saddle. This is again an area where you’ll have to select the correct material for you and your horse. Felt is probably the best choice, but it can be expensive. Whatever material you use, you’ll want to ensure that it’s designed for heavy duty use.

You’ll also need some heavy duty leather or suede, leather lacing, a good length of sheepskin, a piece of foam rubber, a leather tool kit, small saddle tacks, and saddle glue. Do not use regular glue, as it will not hold. Saddle glue is available at most tack shops.

How to Put Together a Western Saddle

Now that you’ve got your materials, you’ll want to begin assembling your saddle. Your saddle pieces will generally come with a basic diagram indicating how you should assemble your saddle. The specifics will vary depending on what pieces you chose to purchase. You can also find some general pictures at Cowboy Showcase. If you are having difficulty following the pictures and directions provided with your saddle pieces, consult the manufacturer or a professional saddle maker.

Start with the saddle tree. Place it on the wooden saddle rack, ensuring that you have easy access to both sides of the saddle. Attach the stirrup bars to the saddle tree. Look towards the very front of the saddle for the point of the tree and bolt the stirrups there. Ensure that the movable thumb piece is facing the rear of the saddle. You may also have to attach the ground seat, rigging, and horn, unless you purchased a saddle tree with these things already in place.

Place your foam rubber over the seat, cutting it to size if necessary. Gather your sheepskin and stretch it over the saddle tree from the pommel to the canter. In other words, from the very front of the saddle to the very back. Secure the sheepskin with small saddle tacks. Put your felt or wool over the canvas, then add your leather or suede. Stretch this very tightly over your frame and secure with saddle tacks and saddle glue. Allow the glue to dry before proceeding.

Now that you have covered the saddle tree, gather up the skirt pieces and attach them to the saddle. If you want a more attractive saddle, you can decorate the skirt pieces before you attach them. This can be done by tooling, adding studs, or even painting. When you’re ready to attach them, you’ll need heavy duty leather lacing, tacks, and glue. Again, wait for the glue to dry.

At this point, your saddle will be almost complete. All you have left to do is to add the fenders and the stirrups to the stirrup bars over the skirt of the saddle. Just as with the skirt, the fenders and stirrups can be decorated beforehand. The fenders are almost impossible to decorate after they have been attached, so make all decisions regarding decorations before you secure the fenders. Once attached with lacing, tacks, and glue, allow everything to dry.

Finally, stretch the remaining sheepskin over the underside of the saddle, covering both the tree and the underside of the skirt. Secure this with tacks and glue, then attach the cinch ring and any additional rigging as required. Once this is done, your saddle is complete.

Western saddle making is an art and so is not easily mastered. You might want to consider purchasing cheaper saddle parts and practicing a few times before you invest in higher quality materials. You should expect that you will make a few mistakes while you are learning how to make a western saddle. Eventually, with time and patience, you will be able to assemble a saddle that will make you proud of your own handiwork.