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Western Saddles are saddles used in--or based on the ones used
in--cattle ranching in the United States. They are the "cowboy
saddles" familiar to movie viewers, rodeo fans, and those who have
gone on tourist trail rides.
The design of the Western saddle derives from the
saddles of the Spanish vaqueros, the early cattle and sheep herders
of Mexico and the Southwest. It was developed from a combination of
the saddles used in the two main styles of horseback riding then
practiced in Spain--"la jineta" or Moorish style and "la estradiota"
or jousting style--with the addition of a very functional item: the
saddle "horn". The horn allowed vaqueros to rope and control cattle.
Today, many Western riders have never worked a cow, but their
saddles still feature this historical element. (Some newer Western
saddles, such as those used in Endurance riding and those made for
the rapidly growing European market, do not have horns.) Another
element which contributed to the design of the Western saddle was
the McClellan saddle of the American cavalry.
The Western saddle is unlike the English Saddle
in that it has no padding of its own. The weight-bearing area of the
saddle is large and usually covered with soft sheepskin, but it must
be padded with a saddle blanket in order to provide a comfortable
fit for the horse.
Other differences between the Western and English
saddles include: Stirrups. those of the Western saddle are not built
to detach from the saddle in case of emergency, but instead are
spacious and sturdy; the rider's high-heeled cowboy boots prevent
his feet from slipping through and exposing him to the danger of
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 strap of leather.
There are many types of Western saddle available.
Some are general-purpose models while others are specialized for the
various Western horse sports such as cutting, reining, roping, and
show.
Many people feel that the Western saddle is more
comfortable than the English Saddle. This is doubtless because of
its history and purpose --as a working tool for a cowboy who spends
all day, every day, on horseback. |
Western
Saddles