Western Saddle
Western style saddles have been around for quite a while. They are mostly associated with the cowboy persona and were and still are featured as the predominate saddle in old and new western movies.
The saddles have survived so long simply because they are a great saddle that provides security for the rider and horse as well as comfort which is important when a rider is out for along time such as on a cattle drive.
Western saddles are actually a design born from the Spanish vaqueros. These were the horse trainers and cattle handlers that were very much running all the cattle in the American Southwest. They needed a functional and comfortable saddle so they took the designs from two styles of Spanish riding and blended them together while adding functional items such as the horn. These new saddles allow the cattle handlers a much greater control of handling the cattle and the use of ropes while doing it.
Often, those that not familiar with western style saddles will mistake the horn as something to hold onto while riding. The horn was actually added so that rider could use a rope and tie the rope or anchor it around the horn while handling cattle or calves.
While the western saddle is a specific type of saddle, there are numerous types of western saddles available are used for many different things. Some of the more common types are the roping saddle which a sturdy saddle that allows the rider to quickly dismount the horse after the calf or cow has been roped. Then there is the cutting saddle which is used for a rider who needs to make sharp turns and stops. Barrel racing saddles are lighter variety of the western saddle and provide the rider with a secure fit while running the barrels. Then there is the trail saddle which is probably the most recognized since this is the saddle that used for comfort while riding horses.
Buying a western saddle used can save you a lot of money and actually will get you a saddle that have been worn in to the wear in time for your horse will be much less. You can find many great saddles online and this site is designed to help you find the exact western saddle you’re looking for.
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