Saddlery

Types of Horse Saddles Explained

The two types of horse saddles from which all others are derived are the English saddle and the Western saddle. Horse Rugs Despite their names, neither of these saddle types came from the country with which they have been associated. While today’s English saddle was modified by a Frenchman, the western saddle derives from an Iberian design, brought by Spanish Conquistadors to the New World and used by Spanish cattle ranchers.

Their origins aside, common use in their respective countries has associated their names with their styles. Anybody who rides in the English style uses an English saddle. The term is used to describe many types of equestrian events including polo, horse racing, dressage, saddle seat and show jumping. Thanks to its use among American cattle ranchers, the western or stock saddle is also familiar from cowboy films. Among the activities where the western saddle is seen to this day are rodeo events like barrel racing and cattle roping, while it is used for trail riding as well.

equestrian rugs Distinctly different, western and English saddles share a number of components. The base upon which the saddle is built is called the tree. The tree varies in size depending on the size of the horse and rider. Where the rider sits is called the seat, and the pommel – also called the swells – is the area in the front of the saddle that is raised. The stirrups, attached to the tree with leathers, support the rider’s legs, and the cantle is the rear end of the saddle. The girth or cinch is the strap that goes underneath the horse and keeps the saddle in place. Between the horse and saddle itself – on English saddles – is cushioning called padding.

Flatter in appearance with a lower pommel and cantle, English saddles give the rider and horse more freedom of movement. safety stirrups This saddle took on its modern form in the 18th century for fox hunting expeditions. Two distinct differences with western saddles is that they have what’s called a horn, a round knob attached to the pommel to which a lariat may be tied, and they require a saddle blanket for padding.

E Jeffries Saddlery