How to Make Your Own Horse Saddle Stands

Saddles are expensive pieces of equipment and should be properly stored. Most saddles are built onto a wooden frame called a tree, which can twist out of shape if the saddle is not properly supported. A stand that is too thin can press into the gullet of the saddle and distort it. You can either use a freestanding saddle rack that can be used both in your barn or in your car when traveling, or a wall-mounted rack. Wall-mounted racks take up less space and allow you to store several saddles neatly. The saddle should be protected from contact with the wall so that the leather is not scuffed.

Things You'll Need

  • Four 3-foot lengths of 4-by-1-inch board
  • Two 5-foot lengths of 4-by-1-inch board
  • Two 8-inch lengths of 4-by-1-inch board
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Saw
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Piece of carpet
  • Twine
  • One 2-foot length of 4-by-1-inch board
  • One 2-foot-6-inch length of 4-by-4-inch board
  • One 1-foot length of 2-by-2-inch board
  • Drill
  • Wood or masonry drill bits
  • Wall plugs (optional)
  • Screws
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

  1. Freestanding Rack

    • 1

      Measure and cut each 5-foot board in half so that you end up with four boards that are two and a half feet long. Take the first board and measure 5 inches down the long side. Mark with a pencil. Draw a line from the mark to the opposite corner of the short side, and cut along the mark. Repeat for the other three boards.

    • 2

      Take the first pair of boards and lay them so that the long sides are together. Nail one of the 8-inch boards across the bottom to hold both pieces together. You should now have a single board that rises to a point in the middle. Repeat for the other pair of boards. These will form the ends of your saddle stand.

    • 3

      Lay the two ends out with the flat faces standing outwards. Take two of the 3-foot boards and lay them on either side of the ends so that the whole thing forms a square. Nail the 3-foot boards into position. Nail the remaining 3-foot boards onto the top of the stand at an angle to form a slanted top. Cover the top with a piece of carpet to protect the underneath of your saddle.

    Wall Mounted Rack

    • 4

      Decide where you want your saddle rack. Make sure the access is good from all angles. The rack should be mounted high enough to keep your saddle and stirrups clear of the floors, but not so high that you struggle to lift the saddle up. A little higher than waist height is a good general rule.

    • 5

      Mark 6 inches down from the end of the 4-by-1-inch board. Nail the short end of the 4-by-4-inch board onto this mark at right angles, so that 6 inches of 4-inch by 1-inch board protrudes at the top and 14 inches at the bottom.

    • 6

      Cut both ends of the 2-by-2-inch board off at a 45 degree angle so that it will fit into the right angle made by the other two boards and act as a brace. Nail into place.

    • 7

      Hold the rack up against the wall to find a comfortable height, and make a pencil mark. Drill two fixing holes into the top and bottom of the 4-by-1-inch board. Use a pencil to mark through the holes onto the wall to show the position of the screw holes. If you are fixing to a stone surface, use a masonry bit to drill two holes. Place wall plugs into the holes then screw the rack to the wall. If you are fixing to a wooden wall, you may not need to drill screw holes depending on the density of the wood. If you do need to drill, use a wood drill bit. Wrap carpet around the body of the rack to pad it.