Western Saddles Presentation Part 3: Parts #8899-C

Parts of a Western Saddle The tree of a basic western saddle traditionally consisted of beech wood, or other hardwood, which had bull hide or rawhide wrapped over it.

Parts of a Western Saddle Now with more modern materials the tree can be made out of laminated wood glued together with the grain pointing in different directions. o Most European saddle makers use this technique, which makes the saddle more warp-resistant and less likely to break through stress to certain joints. Trees are also available in fiberglass, aluminum, steel, and several other synthetic materials.

Parts of a Western Saddle The tree consists of – The fork Includes the gullet (the space formed by shaping the fork. – The height of the gullet vary from 5.75 inches wide, 6.75 inches high to 6.25 inches wide, 8 inches high.

And the swells (the area on either side of the horn mount. Measuring from swell to swell, the width of the fork average 10.5 to 14 inches. Parts of a Western Saddle

Horn o Can be wood, brass, steel, or iron covered in bull hide, saddle leather, or rawhide. o The horn is either laminated onto the fork or mounted with bolts and screws. Parts of a Western Saddle

Horns usually available in a wide range of shapes, cap width, and heights. o From a low 2.5 inches to a high of 4 inches. o Depends on the type of roping if any performed on the saddle. Parts of a Western Saddle

Bars – Skilled craftsmanship is necessary to angle the bars for a correct fit on a horse ’ s back while maintaining the proper balance of the rider Parts of a Western Saddle

Cantle o Basic to any western tree. o Helps the rider maintain a deep seat. Parts of a Western Saddle

 Seat o In the past couple of decades, saddle makers have padded the seat with foam rubber and covered with suede.  Riders find the seat more comfortable and gives them greater grip and security. Parts of a Western Saddle

o The flat seat allows the rider to feel the horse when moving therefore allows the rider to equitate in a proper position. o Measuring the Seat  Riders place a tape measure at the center of the base of the fork and measure the distance between the point and center of the top of the cantle. Parts of a Western Saddle