How to Make a Saddle Billet

The billet strap is an important piece of equipment for any western rider. The billet strap secures the girth to the saddle, and if it is in bad shape, the saddle could come loose or even fall off. Ideally you should keep an extra billet strap or two in your tack room, but in a pinch you can make your own. If you can cut leather, you can make a billet strap for your saddle.

Things You'll Need

  • Leather cutting blade or knife
  • Leather punch
  • Leather string
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a piece of leather 36 inches long and 1 1/4 inches wide. The thickness of the leather should be about 1/8 inch.

    • 2

      Fold the leather piece in half. You should now have a piece of leather that is 1 1/2 inches wide and 18 inches long.

    • 3

      Use a leather punch to make two holes in each side of the folded leather. Line the holes up with one another.

    • 4

      Run a piece of leather string through the holes on the side of the billet strap nearest you. Adjust the leather string so that it is even, then run it through the holes on the other side.

    • 5

      Tie the billet strap to the saddle by removing the leather string from the far end, then fit the billet strap over the D-ring on the right side of the saddle. Extend the leather string through the holes and tie it in a knot to secure the strap.