Do it Yourself Saddle Stands

Basic Construction

• Most saddles have a frame called the tree that must be supported correctly during storage to keep its shape. The tree is designed to fit the contours of a horse's back; this basic shape should be duplicated when building a saddle tree. Leather is flexible, so if stored incorrectly for too long, the shape of the saddle may change making it less comfortable for horse and rider.
  Ideally, you will have two panels about a foot and a half long that are situated at 45 degree angles, creating the rounded shape of a horse's back. These panels should be at least 6 to 8 inches wide to properly support each side of the tree. Any narrower and it will put excessive pressure on the axis of the saddle. To long and excess pressure will be put on the flaps of the saddle, causing them to lose their shape. The last requirement of a saddle rack is that it keeps the saddle off the ground and provides space for the flaps of the saddle to hang down. This can be done by mounting the saddle rack on the wall or putting it on legs.

Customize

• There are dozens of ways to build and customize your saddle stand. First, decide what your needs are. If you need to store multiple saddles in a small space, a 4"x4" piece of wood with a hook attached to it, and an eyelet attached to the wall, works well. This way, you can simply remove the rack when not in use.
  If you have heavy duty Western saddle that weighs upwards of 50 pounds, a sturdier saddle stand is in order. Use heavy. solid wood throughout, especially in the legs of the stand that will support the weight of the saddle. Again, make the part where the saddle will rest fit the shape of the tree. Heavier saddles weigh on themselves more and will come out of shape faster if not properly supported.
  If going to horse shows often, a folding saddle stand is the way to go as it saves space when transporting. Attach hinges between the top panels where the saddle will sit, making a collapsible stand. A more complicated folding saddle stand design has the pivot point midway down the leg. This type of stand looks like an X when viewed from the front.