Soooo… much to learn about saddles. It took days and weeks of research and years of experience to put together a “Saddle for Dummies” group of posts. Enjoy and learn. Tell us more if you think we could learn more too.
Enlarge Image – Anatomy of a Western Saddle A saddle is a supportive piece of horse equipment held onto the back of a horse by a cinch or girth and used to give stability and comfort to a rider as well as the horse. The western saddle has several distinct parts, each one used to… Read More The Western Saddle: Overview
A saddle pad is used to protect a horse’s back during riding. It is usually thicker than a “saddle blanket” and often made of layers of wool, felt, sheepskin, or synthetic materials including gels. A saddle pad is designed to absorb shock, eliminate pressure points, and minimize your horse’s back fatigue. Equally as important, it… Read More The Western Saddle: Saddle Pad
Stirrups give a rider much more security in his seat than bareback riding. The stirrups are used to balance. By inserting his foot into the contraption at the bottom of the saddle fender, the rider gains stability and the ability to alter his center of gravity over the horse’s back. They also give some measure… Read More The Western Saddle: Stirrups
Balance: It is important to understand that to achieve a comfortable and secure seat, the classical rider position is a must. If seated properly, a vertical line can pass down through the rider’s ear, shoulder, hip, and ankle. Your inner ear balance system will tell you that this is a comfortable and secure alignment. Additionally,… Read More The Western Saddle: Seat
Full rigging is the most forward position. It places the cinch under the fork or swells of the saddle. It does not stabilize the rear of the saddle and would require a back cinch if you are doing any type of riding other than easy arena work. Modern saddles usually use 7/8 or 3/4 rigging,… Read More The Western Saddle: Rigging
Saddle Fork: The fork of early saddles was created by a single forked tree branch. Today it is made of the same wood as the rest of the tree. (see Saddle Overview) Fitting the Rider to Saddle Swells: The swells (padded fork) of a saddle have significance to the fit and use. A narrow swell… Read More The Western Saddle: Saddle Fork
The cantle in the rear gives support to the rider’s back and buttocks. Too steep and it can bruise your back side or take too much room from the seat squeezing the rider forward and making it uncomfortable against the swells. Too shallow and it will give you no back support nor security in the… Read More The Western Saddle: Cantle
Tack Leather Tanning Hides are tanned to prevent rotting and to add suppleness. There are two main types of tanning: Chrome Tanning and Bark Tanning. Chrome tanning employs chemicals that can be detrimental to a horse when coming into contact with a horse’s sweat. Bark tanning uses only natural vegetable compounds. Latigo refers to a… Read More Leather Tanning
Mohair is made from the hair of the Angora goat. It is one of the oldest fibers: natural, durable, resilient. It takes dye exceptionally well. It is also resistant to moisture and stretch, which makes it an ideal fiber for horse equipment. It can “wick” moisture into its inner fiber away from the surface of… Read More Mohair
Shop Cinches Cinch: The wide “belt” that attaches (by way of heavy leather straps) to either side of the western saddle and goes around the horse’s chest to hold the saddle in place. Cinch Materials: Most cinches are made of Mohair, Synthetics, or Neoprene. Each has its pros and cons. The best materials transfer heat… Read More The Western Saddle: Cinch