How a Saddle Tree Is Made

Good saddles not only provide comfort for both horse and rider, they also allow the rider to balance over the horse's center of balance for a safe, secure ride. The ability to do both is the result of good saddle tree construction.

  1. Background

    • The saddle tree provides a frame for the saddle and determines its overall shape and size. Although saddle tree construction can be traced back almost 2,000 years, today's Western saddle tree is based on a popular design of the Middle Ages. However, while those early designs were individually built to fit each horse and rider, today's saddles are mass produced using many of the same techniques.

    Construction

    • Traditional Western saddle trees can be made from several types of woods such as Ponderosa pine, poplar or cottonwood. According to Frecker Saddlery, a band saw and angle jig are used to cut and shape the saddle bars from a block of wood. Other blocks of wood are used for the front and cantle. Finally the tree parts are screwed together and covered with polyurethane.

    Final Steps

    • Rawhide is next draped over the wooden tree, then trimmed to shape. Tacks are used to hold the rawhide in place. Finally, the leather pieces are stitched into place beginning with the horn. Next, the cantle leather is stitched followed by the bars. The saddle is now ready for the addition of fenders and stirrups, padded seat and other appointments.