How to Make a Wooden Horse Saddle Rack

Saddle racks are an essential addition to your stable if you plan on keeping your saddle in good condition for a long time. A saddle rack will help your saddle stay clean and off the floor, and also help it keep its shape while not in use. Making a wooden saddle rack is fairly simple, and much cheaper than buying a commercially made one—in an afternoon you can have your brand new saddle rack up to keep your saddle safe and out of the way.

Things You'll Need

  • Plywood sheet, 3/8 inch
  • Lumber, 2 by 4 inch
  • Pencil
  • Saw
  • Wood glue
  • Corner clamps
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Sandpaper
  • Varnish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut four pieces of plywood, 36 by 12 inches. Cut three pieces of 2-by-4, to 34.5 inches length. Trace an inverted ‘V’ shape on the end of two of the plywood pieces, with the sides of the ‘V’ at 45 degrees. Cut the traced lines out, so that you have two boards with a triangular end.

    • 2

      Position the two triangular-ended plywood pieces about 34 inches apart, triangle ends pointed upward. Position two of the 2-by-4 planks on either side of the bottom of the two plywood pieces, each end abutting the inner side of the plywood, to form the saddle rack base. Glue and clamp the 2-by-4s in place.

    • 3

      Predrill two holes through the plywood into each abutting 2-by-4 piece, then screw them in place—use 2-inch screws.

    • 4

      Position the remaining 2-by-4 between the two points of the plywood’s triangular ends, about 1/2 inch below each point. Glue, clamp, drill and screw the plank in place as you did the first two.

    • 5

      Miter one long side each of the remaining plywood pieces to a 45 degree angle. Position these plywood pieces over the top of the two triangles, with the mitered edges joining to form a seam down the center—this will look somewhat like a gabled roof.

    • 6

      Glue the mitered joint, clamp, then predrill a hole through the joint every three inches. Screw together using 3/4-inch screws. Predrill holes every three inches along the ends of the "roof" into the plywood triangles underneath, then screw in place using 2-inch screws.

    • 7

      Sand and varnish as desired—make sure to dull the corners of the "roof" so that it doesn’t leave a line in the saddle when it sits on top.