Repair of Saddle Horns

Repairing a worn or damaged antique saddle is usually expensive and finding experienced leather workers is becoming difficult. Instead of repairing an old saddle many collectors will just let it be and display it as is. Just because a saddle is antique does not mean it cannot be repaired. Saddle horn repairs seem to be a most neglected work on many saddles. It is work an amateur can do with a few items, some time and patience.

Things You'll Need

  • Inner tube
  • Scissors
  • Saddle stand
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut an inner tube into strips about 1 1/2-inches in width.

    • 2

      Ready the saddle by securing it on a saddle stand. Organize your work area by making sure you have the strip s of rubber nearby.

    • 3

      Place a strip of rubber around the saddle horn. Position yourself in front of the saddle and pull the rubber toward you.

    • 4

      Stretch the rubber band and twist it to the left and put the loop of the rubber band over the horn. Twist the rubber strip to the right bringing the loop back over the saddle horn. Repeat this process until there is no more rubber to twist.

    • 5

      Smooth any gathered rubber so the horn is covered without wrinkles by the rubber strips.

    • 6

      Get another rubber strip and repeat the twisting and looping process until there isn't enough rubber to loop over the horn anymore.

    • 7

      Use three pieces of rubber strip for most Western saddle horns. Use as many rubber strips as necessary to get the thickness desired for the saddle horn.