Gather tools. Remove the screws from the saddle pad with a cordless screw gun. Remove the corner blocks - tap them with a rubber mallet if they are stuck together. Remove loose joints with a rubber mallet. Wood shrinks over time and this aging process weakens the joints. Be sure to be careful when removing corner blocks and joints.
Mark the parts so you know where to replace. Scrape old glue from joints, dowel pins, and glue blocks with a scraper, chisel (useful for tight areas like around dowel pins), or sandpaper. Clean and smooth surfaces..
Start with a small pilot hole and use a larger drill bit. Cut the dowel pin with an edge saw flush with the surface. Mark the center of the pin. Drill the rider mount through the pin (Image 1) but not into the saddle frame. Match the bit to the diameter of the pin hole. Drill the old dowels out. Check that the new pin is good and tight. Apply a small amount of wood nail glue and run into the hole. Apply glue to the middle of the pin and gently tap it with a mallet. If the new pin is too long, place the old pin next to it, mark the length (Image 2), and cut off the excess with the coping saw.
Spread the glue around the finger joints inside the hold down and around the pins, glue the piece in place. Glue male and female pieces together to create the strongest links. Repeat the gluing process for all joints. It is better to use too much glue than not enough. You can always wipe off the excess. If you use too little glue, you can end up with a joint that was just as weak as before.
Use a clamp to hold the frame and place a strap over the chair and around the chair body rails and adjust until snug and snug. You can also use an old rope or belt, but a strap with a clamp works best. Glue and screw the corner blocks by applying glue to the rail face and block with the recessed side facing down, screw firmly into place and wipe off excess glue with a damp rag.
Don't forget to use the numbers you wrote on the pieces to put everything back in its correct position. Leave the chair secured for at least four hours. Use a touch-up stick to repair small nicks and scratches in the wood. When using a smudge stick, start with the lighter shades first, then work your way up to the darker shades.
