How to Build a Saddle Rack

I’m at the long and tedious part of my remodel (drywalling…yuck!), so I took a break to install some saddle racks for my tack hoarder collection. Saddle racks are pricey, and I was sure I could find a cheaper way to build them. These 6, wall mounted saddle racks came out to $40, or about $7 a piece. Compared to the metal ones for $25 a piece, this is a steal! Read below to learn how to build a saddle rack.

Printable PDF: HowToBuildASaddleRack

Rating (decode with the handy-dandy guide here)

• Time 
• Money 
• Tools 
• Experience  
• Strength 
• Risk 
• Suckage 

Tools:

• Drill
• Saw (Miter is preferred, but it’s possible with a circular saw)
• Pencil
• Stud Finder

Material List:

• 3 – 2x4x8 (studs)
• 1 – 2x10x8
• 6 – 3 ½” Tarp Hooks
• 6 – #0 x 2 7/8” screw eye
• 2 ¼” – 2 ½” wood screws
• 3” wood screws
• Drill bit slightly smaller than eye hook diameter

Step 1: Cut the Lumber

Cut your lumber to size using the following cut list. Note: Measurements are not exact, since an 8’ piece of lumber is shorter than 8’. These are approximations. These instructions are for 6 saddle racks, but can be expanded for more using this equation:

2x4s:

2x10s:

Step 2: Assemble the Saddle Rack

Each saddle rack has (1) 2’ piece of 2×4 and (1) 20” piece of 2×4. Stand your 20” piece on its 1.5” side. Place the 2’ piece of 2×4 on top, lining up the edges on one side. Shoot one 2.5” screw into each end.

Step 3: Mount the Tarp Hooks

Slide an eye hook onto a J hook and line it up so the threads of the eye hook start just past the end of the saddle rack. Mark your screw holes with a pencil. Remove the eye hook and mount your J hook to the top of the saddle rack with 2.5” screw. Congratulations, you’ve completed the first saddle rack! You need to repeat this for how many saddle racks you need, but I recommend you finish the rest of the steps and come back to this to make sure you marked the location of the J hooks correctly.

Step 4: Mount the Wall Mount

Saddles are heavy, so the saddle rack needs to be securely mounted to the wall. The 2×10 helps distribute the load, so it needs to be mounted to a stud. Use the stud finder and find the stud. Center your 2×10 (cut in 4’ chunks), vertically on the stud. Set the height based on a saddle rack being located at the very top of the 2×10. I’d recommend at least a foot of clearance, but this is up to your preference. Secure the wall mount to the stud with the 3” screws. If you have extra thick walls, you’ll need even longer screws.

Step 5: Install the Eye Hooks

Each saddle rack needs one eye hook. Use your saddle rack to line up the location of the eye hook on the wall mount. Alternatively, you can measure about 5” from the bottom of the wall mount and centered on the wall mount. Drill out a hole for the eye hook using a bit slightly smaller than the eye hook. Thread the eye hook into the hole, stopping when the eye hook is parallel with the floor.

Step 6: Install the Saddle Rack

Hook the J hook of your saddle rack into the eye hook so your saddle rack is perpendicular to the wall mount. Voila! You have learned how to build a saddle rack! If you need space when the saddle rack is not in use, you can rotate the saddle rack inside the eye hook so that it hangs down, flush with the wall mount.

• Emoji icons provided free by EmojiOne