Western saddle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Western saddles are used for western riding and are the saddles used on working horses on cattle ranches throughout the United States, particularly in the west. They are the "cowboy" saddles familiar to movie viewers, rodeo fans, and those who have gone on trail rides at guest ranches. This saddle was designed to provide security and comfort to the rider when spending long hours on a horse, traveling over rugged terrain.
The design of the Western saddle derives from the saddles of the Spanish vaqueros - the early horse trainers and cattle handlers of Mexico and the American Southwest. It was developed for the purpose of working cattle across vast acreages, and came from a combination of the saddles used in the two main styles of horseback riding then practiced in Spain — la jineta, the Moorish style which allowed great freedom of movement to the horse; and la estradiota, the jousting style, which provided great security to the rider and strong control of the horse. A very functional item was also added: the saddle "horn." This style of saddle allowed vaqueros to control cattle by use of a rope around the neck of the animal, tied or dallied (wrapped without a knot) around the horn.
Today, although many Western riders have never roped a cow, the western saddle still features this historical element. (Some variations on the Western saddle design, such as those used in bronc riding, endurance riding and those made for the rapidly growing European market, do not have horns.) Another predecessor which may have contributed to the design of the Western saddle was the Spanish tree saddle, which was also influential in the design of the McClellan saddle of the American military, being used by all branches of the U.S. Army, but being particularly associated with the cavalry.
The Western saddle is unlike the English saddle in that it has no padding between the tree and the external leather and fleece skirting. The weight-bearing area of the saddle is large and usually covered with sheepskin, but it must be padded with a saddle blanket in order to provide a comfortable fit for the horse. Western saddles are extensively decorated, the carved leatherwork is often a true work of art, and intricately carved silver conchos and other additions are frequently added to the saddle for show purposes. More than any other style of saddle, the western saddle can be customized to be a true expression of the rider's taste and style. A fine quality western saddle, properly maintained, is intended to last for a person's lifetime, or even beyond.
Other differences between the Western and English saddles include:
- Stirrups: Those of the Western saddle cannot detach from the saddle in an emergency, but instead have a wider tread; combined with the rider's high-heeled cowboy boots, the design minimizes the risk that the rider's feet will slip through the stirrup during a fall, and the rider being dragged.
- Method of securing the saddle to the horse: Rather than buckling on as does the English girth, the Western girth, known as a cinch, is tied on with a flat strap of leather or nylon called a latigo, though modern latigos have holes added so that a buckle can be used, either in place of the knot or in addition to one.
- Seat and Cantle: These parts of a western saddle are more pronounced than in an English saddle and provide greater comfort and security to the rider.
There are many types of Western saddle available. Some are general-purpose models while others emphasize either greater freedom for the horse or greater security for the rider, as may be necessary for specialized work in the various Western horse sports such as cutting, reining, barrel racing, steer roping, equitation and western pleasure.
Many people feel that the Western saddle is more comfortable than the English saddle, a theory that is given credence because of its history and purpose: as a working tool for a cowboy who spends all day, every day, on horseback. However it should be noted that many riders are completely comfortable in an English saddle, and for covering distance when time is a factor, such as Endurance riding, the lighter English saddle dominates. For a beginning rider, the western saddle may give the impression of providing a more secure seat. However, this may be misleading: the horn is not meant to be a handle for the rider to hang on to, and the high cantle and heavy stirrups are not for forcing the rider into a rigid position; the development of an independent seat and hands is as critical for western riders as for English riders.
