All About Different Kinds of Saddles

Kinds of Western Saddles

When it comes to saddles, the cowboy's got options as wide as the western sky. You see, the saddle's got to suit the job and the rider. From roping cattle to racing barrels, each kind of Western saddle has been honed and perfected to serve a unique purpose.

All-Around Saddle

Designed to be secure and comfortable, this saddle can be used for different riding disciplines and rodeo events. It’s a good choice for beginners and for anyone who is doing ranch work, roping, barrel racing, and trail riding. It typically has a strong tree, saddle horn which can be used for roping, and a deep seat for security.

Reining Saddle

Designed for the fast-paced, precision-focused rodeo event, this saddle is lightweight, provides close contact, has a low horn, and a deep, narrow seat for security.

Roping Saddle

Built for durability and ease of movement, the roping saddle is a cowboy's trusty companion when it comes to roping cattle. It features a low cantle, a deep seat for stability, and a stout, sturdy horn for dallying a rope.

Barrel Racing Saddle

Light and compact, the barrel racing saddle is designed for speed and agility. It boasts a high cantle and pommel to provide the rider with a secure seat during the fast, tight turns of a barrel race.

Cutting Saddle

When separating a single cow from the herd, a cowboy needs a cutting saddle. It has a flat seat, a high cantle, and wide swells, allowing the rider to shift their weight quickly and stay balanced during the sudden movements of the horse.

Ranch Saddle

The jack-of-all-trades, the ranch saddle is designed for the daily rigors of ranch work. It's a versatile and sturdy piece with a high cantle and low horn, perfect for roping, riding, and all the in-betweens.

Trail Saddle

For those long rides across open country, nothing beats a trail saddle. It's built for comfort, with a deep, cushioned seat, high cantle for back support, and multiple rings and ties for gear.

Show Saddle

Flashy and ornate, the show saddle is a sight to behold. It's often adorned with silver and intricate tooling, meant to catch the eye in competitive events. But don't be fooled by the glitz, it's built for function as well as form.

Vaquero Saddle

Introduced to the Americas by Spanish explorers, Vaquero saddles are designed for cattle ranching. They have a deep seat and a high back for rider safety, plus the stirrups are long and wide. The saddle horn is the right shape and size for dallying a rope and they're built tough to handle the everyday demands of ranch life.

Mexican Saddle

Also known as Charro saddles, these unique saddles are used in traditional Mexican horse riding events such as Charreria. Charreria includes activities like roping, skilled horse riding, and working with cattle. Mexican saddles have a distinct horn shape and size, and a uniquely deep and contoured seat. They have a special saddle pad called a "fuste," typically made of wool. These saddles are often quite elaborate, adorned with intricate designs, silver or gold accents, and detailed leather work, showcasing their high quality and expert craftsmanship.

Treeless Saddle

Designed without the usual rigid tree structure of traditional saddles, this saddle helps distribute weight evenly over the horse's back. This helps prevent too much pressure on any one area. They are made from lightweight and flexible materials and adapt to the shape of the horse's back. Riders like them because they can offer more freedom of movement and a closer connection between horse and rider.

Western Dressage Saddle

Made specifically for the sport of Western dressage, which combines elements of dressage riding with Western tack, this saddle has a deep seat, high back, and low and wide horn. This design helps improve the rider's balance and posture, maintaining a straight line from shoulder to hip to heel. The flaps are long and straight, and the stirrups long. Western dressage saddles are fancy and intricate, with eye-catching designs and shiny silver or gold details.

Australian Stock Saddle

Also known as an Aussie saddle, this saddle is specially crafted for use in Australian stock work and trail riding. It's a unique design, distinct from being just a blend of English and Western saddles. With its deep seat, high back, and a low, wide saddle horn, this saddle prioritizes comfort for both the horse and rider during long hours on the ranch. It also provides the necessary utility for ranching and roping tasks. Built to be tough and durable, these saddles are a match for the hardworking cowboys who use them.

Youth Saddle

Made specifically to keep kids safe and secure in the saddle, youth saddles are smaller than adult versions, typically having a seat size of 14 inches or less. They often fit ponies. They are built to be comfortable and secure, helping young riders to learn proper riding techniques. Available in various styles such as Western, English, and Australian, youth saddles also come in a range of colors and fun designs that appeal to kids.

A saddle for every purpose, each crafted with a touch of the old West. Remember, it's not just about the saddle that catches your eye, but the one that fits your ride.

Beginner saddle

A beginner saddle is a type of saddle that is designed to be comfortable and easy to use for novice riders. They generally give the rider a sense of security and comfort. An All Purpose saddle is a good place to start because it has a deep seat and knee rolls for added comfort and security. It can be used for trail riding, ranching, roping, and even barrel racing. But once you’ve committed to your event or discipline, you’ll probably want to step it up to a more specialized saddle.

English Saddles

English saddles are tailored for various riding disciplines within the English style, such as dressage, jumping, and trail riding.

Their design focuses on enabling the horse to move freely, which is crucial for activities like jumping and eventing.

At the same time, they assist the rider in maintaining balance. Compared to Western saddles, English saddles are generally smaller and lighter, facilitating close contact and agility which are key in these activities.

Key Features of English Saddles

Freedom of Movement: These saddles are specifically crafted to maximize the horse's movement and freedom. This feature is particularly beneficial in English riding sports like jumping and eventing.
Balance: English saddles are equipped with balanced padding and a deep seat to ensure rider stability. The straight flaps aid proper leg alignment, while the strategically placed stirrup bars allow the rider's legs to hang naturally. The narrow twist design enables the rider's legs to wrap around the horse's barrel more comfortably.
Construction: Typically, these saddles are built on either a laminated wooden tree that's reinforced with steel or a synthetic tree.
Material: High-quality leather or synthetic materials are used in making English saddles. The leather versions are usually plain, while synthetic saddles can have a leather-like or fabric covering.
Design Variations: English saddles vary based on the placement and balance of the seat, the length and style of the saddle flap, and the overall saddle shape.
Types: They come in various types, including close contact, dressage, cross country/eventing, all-purpose, endurance, synthetic, lead line, or pony saddles.
Decorations: While they are traditionally less ornate than Western saddles, some English saddles feature intricate designs and occasionally silver or gold accents.

English saddles are particularly suited for riders who require close contact with their horse, as is often necessary in disciplines like dressage and jumping. The design of these saddles aids in executing precise movements and the intricate riding techniques that are essential in English riding disciplines.

Having the Right Kind of Saddle Matters

Choosing the right kind of saddle isn't just about your comfort, but also about your safety and the well-being of your horse. Here are the key points to keep in mind:

Connection with the Horse: A saddle is the bridge between you and your horse. It needs to fit perfectly for the most harmonious connection. An ill-fitted saddle can make your ride uncomfortable, akin to a bone-jarring ride across a rocky path.
Proper Seating Position: The wrong saddle can cause an improper seating position, leading to discomfort for both the rider and the horse. It's like sitting in an ill-fitted chair all day, making you squirm and shift constantly.
Safety and Stability: A well-fitted saddle provides essential grip and stability for the rider. This factor is vital, especially when navigating challenging terrains or dealing with sudden movements. Think of it like using the wrong climbing gear while scaling a cliff - a poorly fitted saddle holds similar risks.
Horse's Health: A saddle that doesn't fit can lead to health issues for your horse, including muscle strain and soreness, or even long-term back damage. It's like wearing a pair of shoes that rub and cause blisters, creating discomfort over time.
Specific Discipline Requirement: Different equestrian activities require specific types of saddles. Whether you're herding cattle, executing a reining pattern, or out for a trail ride, there's a saddle designed for that task. Using the right saddle is akin to using the right tool for a job - anything else simply isn't effective.

In essence, choosing the right saddle isn't just a matter of personal comfort. It's an integral part of ensuring safety, proper riding technique, and maintaining the health and happiness of your horse. The right saddle can make your ride not just bearable, but truly unforgettable.

Just like the vast, open plains of the West, there's a trail riding saddle for every kind of rider, whether you're out for a leisurely trot or settlin' in for a long-distance ride.

In the Western world, your saddle is as important as your trusty steed. The right one can make your ride as smooth as a well-weathered piece of leather. As we've explored the landscape of Western saddles, remember that the best one for you is the one that suits your style and needs, just like a cowboy finds a hat that suits him best.

Association Saddle

You may have heard the term "Association saddle" here and there and wondered what it means. To understand it, we have to go back to the early 20th century where rodeo and bronc riding was in full swing.

History of the PRCA

In the 1930s, a group of cowboys banned together to rise up against being cheated by a stock contractor who didn't want to add their entry fees into the prize money. They called themselves the Rodeo Cowboys Turtle Association because it took them a long time to stick their necks out. The stock contractor eventually complied and added the money. This rouge group later evolved into the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) in the 1940s and finally the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1975.

In the beginning, bronc riders used a variety of saddles, some with horns and others without, leading to inconsistencies in competitions. Recognizing the need for standardization, the early rodeo committees, in collaboration with manufacturers like Hamleys, developed a specific saddle tree with set specifications around 1918-1919.

This move was to make sure there was uniformity in rodeo competitions, making it fair for everyone.

The design, based on the "Ellensburg" tree pattern, was robust, featuring high cantles and wide swells, allowing riders to securely lock their legs.

Features of the Association Saddle

Now, the defining features of an Association saddle include a 14" wide swell with no more than 1" of undercut and a high gullet around 9" to allow bronc riders to firmly lock on with their thighs. The gullet width is typically 5-3/4 inches wide, and the cantle no more than 5" high and 14" wide. The rigging is usually set at 3/4, with the front edge of the ring below the center of the swells. Unique to these saddles is the absence of a horn, a characteristic established in the late 1950s.

Modified Association Saddles

With the popularity of the bronc saddle's handsome front design, variations like the "modified" association saddle emerged, especially for roping. These modifications often included a much lower gullet while maintaining the basic shape of the bronc saddle front.

Association Saddles in Western Riding Disciplines

In broader Western riding disciplines, the term "association" doesn't refer to a specific type of saddle. Instead, it encompasses rules set by governing bodies like the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA). These organizations dictate specifications for saddles in their respective competitions, focusing on functionality and discipline-specific features.

Impact and Legacy

The development of the Association saddle represents a significant chapter in rodeo history, symbolizing the evolution of the sport towards greater fairness and standardization.

Today, these saddles are a testament to the heritage and enduring traditions of rodeo and Western riding.

Designing a Western Saddle

When a saddle maker sets to work, their first consideration is the purpose of the saddle. From roping to barrel racing, trail riding to ranch work, each type of saddle requires specific features to best support the rider and their activities. The saddle's design may include:

Saddle Tree: The framework that gives a saddle its shape. It must be well designed to distribute the rider's weight and not interfere with the horse's movement.
Seat: Designed for comfort and stability. Its shape and depth can vary, reflecting the needs of specific riding styles.
Cantle: The back of the saddle. It can be high for support during vigorous activities like roping, or low for greater freedom of movement.
Horn: A handle of sorts for the rider. It's used in roping to secure a lasso, and its size and shape can vary based on the saddle's purpose.

The Craft of Saddle Making

Saddle making is a skill that takes years to master, and it's often passed down through generations. The saddle maker begins by choosing the right materials. The quality of the leather is crucial – it should be durable yet supple, able to withstand the elements and the rigors of the ride.

The saddle maker then molds the saddle tree, usually from wood or synthetic materials, to fit the rider's and the horse's measurements. Then, the leather is stretched and molded around the tree, painstakingly stitched and tooled by hand. Many saddles feature intricate designs and patterns, each a unique expression of the saddle maker's artistry.

Finally, the saddle maker attaches the necessary hardware, such as stirrups and cinches, before polishing and finishing the saddle.

Choosing Your Saddle

Choosing the right saddle is a bit like finding the perfect pair of boots. It's gotta fit right, feel good, and suit your style. Here are a few things to consider:

Riding Style: Do you need a saddle for roping, barrel racing, trail riding, or ranch work? The saddle should match your riding activities.
Fit: The saddle should fit both you and your horse. A poorly fitting saddle can cause discomfort and even injury.
Quality: Look for a saddle made from high-quality materials. It should be durable and well-crafted to withstand the tests of time and terrain.
Comfort: You'll spend a lot of time in the saddle, so comfort is paramount. Consider the padding, seat depth, and stirrup position.

Final Thoughts

The Western saddle is a symbol of the American West, as iconic as the cowboy who rides it. From the intricate craft of saddle making to the considerations for choosing the right one, each saddle carries a story – the story of the cowboy, the story of the West, and the story of a tradition that continues to shape our American heritage.

As you journey deeper into the world of Western saddles, remember this: Your saddle isn't just a piece of equipment; it's a companion on your journey, a link to the tradition of the West, and a testament to the craft and dedication of the saddle makers who pour their hearts into their work.

Richard Sutherland

RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.org

Richard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.