Real saddles and miniature sized saddles have one thing in common. They all have a tree, which is the backbone of the saddle. It gives it shape, and keeps it from looking flat.
Saddle trees can be bought from numerous companies. I still buy them, but I’ve started making my own too.
What you’ll need
• Super glue
• baking soda
• aluminum soda can
• scissors
• exacto knife
• Foil
• Body Model
• Wire
Making trees doesn’t have to be limited to english saddles. You can make endurance, western, and saddle seat too!
First you need to break out tack catalogs or start googling. You want to have an idea of what you want to create.
Next strip it of everything. For a western saddle tree, you have to make the gullet, horn, and seat. First figure out how large you want it to be. If you aren’t sure, look at pictures of tacked up horses.
To make the seat, take out an aluminum can. I use regular soda cans. After I drink ’em, I wash’em and use’em for trees. The cans are sturdy and thin. Trace the general shape, then cut it out.
Shape it in the general shape of a saddle. Twist it around a pen or pencil to make it “arch” up. If making a western saddle tree, add horn. For the horn, take out foil and roll it into the general shape of a gullet. Take out a piece of wire and wrap it around the gullet then shape it up if you want.
Congrats, you’ve made a tree!
Kristian Beverly 