How to Make an Indian Saddle Tree
- 1). Sketch out a design of the saddle you want to create. You do not have to be an artist for this step, just have the ability to draw a basic shape with some details to help you stay on track with your original idea.
- 2). Measure the back of the horse that you intend to wear the saddle. Measure from the withers to the loin and from the withers to the middle of the girth area. Be sure and write these down and keep them handy.
- 3). Mark these measurements and cut your wood into slats. They should be no more than 4 inches wide.
- 4). Soak the wood for 24 hours to make it more flexible for the shaping process. After 24 hours, bend the wood into your saddle tree shape and mark where the slats cross one another.
- 5). Drill a hole through the ends of the slats where they line up together, and secure these with leather straps and glue. You will need to do this one piece at a time, and one side at a time, in order to make sure that the saddle is being bent and aligned properly.
- 6). Allow the saddle tree to dry and harden for at least 72 hours.
- 7). Wrap your wood in wet rawhide and sew it on tightly with leather straps. Allow it to dry for another 72 hours, during which the rawhide will tighten as it dries, providing even more stability to your saddle tree.
Source...