Tutorial For Covering Saddle Trees With Rawhide

The tree, though not visible, is an important part of a saddle.

The wooden base of a saddle, whether English or Western, is called the tree. The second step in saddle construction is covering this tree with rawhide, to protect the wood. Later, the rigging, padding, and stirrups will be added, but the rawhide covering must be installed first. Compared to the actual carving of the tree, this is a relatively easy process, but it requires some special materials.

Things You'll Need

• Rawhide (preferably bullhide)
• Water
• Tacks
• Rawhide laces
• Shellac
• Mallet

Instructions

1. Take a piece of rawhide large enough to completely cover the saddle and soak it in water for a couple hours, or until thoroughly saturated.

2. Drape it over the saddle tree. Tack the rawhide roughly into place to make it conform to the shape of the tree.

3. Stitch the rawhide into shape using the leather lacing. Start at the horn of the saddle, followed by the cantle. The bars, the two side pieces, should be stitched last.

4. Allow the rawhide to dry. This will most likely take several days. Tap on the stitches each day with a mallet to make sure they dry smoothly and tightly.

5. Coat the saddle tree in shellac to keep moisture from affecting the rawhide.

References

• Frecker's Saddlery: Saddle Tree Construction