How to Make an Arabian Horse Saddle

Saddles are beautiful, intricate and make riding horses more enjoyable. The work that goes into making an Arabian saddle is very similar to the work of making a saddle for any horse breed. However, the size of the saddle will customize it for your Arabian horse. In traditional, Western-type Arabian saddles, the saddles are made slightly shorter and slightly wider to accommodate the breed's shorter back and well-sprung ribcage.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle-making kit
  • Rawhide-covered saddle tree
  • Cutter
  • Trimmer
  • Skiver
  • Awl
  • Rubber mallet
  • Stainless steel nails
  • Saddle-rigging hardware: a latigo leather strap and two D-rings
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Start with a correctly sized saddle tree, which is the wood structure around which the saddle is built. Many tack stores and online companies carry and sell saddle trees. Buy a wide saddle tree to accommodate your Arabian's large barrel and wide ribcage. The wider tree will also help prevent the saddle from rubbing on his withers.

    • 2

      Cut out the leather according to the patterns and instructions included in your saddle-making kit. When measuring the size of the saddle skirt, don't make it wider than 27 inches, to prevent chafing your Arabian's legs when they move forward.

    • 3

      Use a skive, or trimming tool, to pare down the thickness and trim the leather edges. This will help eliminate excess leather and enable the pieces to properly fit the saddle tree.

    • 4

      Use the leather awl to make holes for nails in the leather. The leather needs to be shaped around the tree and nailed in place. Follow the instructions in your saddle-making kit to make holes in the leather with an awl.

    • 5

      Mall nails through the leather holes and into the tree, using a rubber mallet, so as to shape the leather around the saddle tree.

    • 6

      Attach your saddle-rigging hardware. The D-rings on either side of the saddle are necessary to attach a cinch to securely hold the saddle on your Arabian. A leather strap called a latigo attaches the D-rings to the cinch. According to your instructions, nail a D-ring in place on either side of the saddle. Attach the latigo leather strap to one side, and you're finished. Enjoy riding your Arabian in a newly customized saddle.