Equine Tack and Equipment Saddles

Western Saddle The tree –Also called the frame because it provides the structure of the saddle. –May be wood, aluminum, steel or fiber glass that has leather, suede or some other suitable material wrapped over it. –Consists of the fork, horn, bars and cantle.

Basic Parts of the Western Saddle 1.The bars provide support and shape the saddle to the horse’s back

2.The fork forms the front of the saddle seat that supports the pommel, horn, and includes the gullet and swells. –The gullet is the space formed by shaping the fork and helps the saddle fit to the shape of the equine’s back –The swells are the area on either side of the horn mount.

3.The pommel is the front part of the saddle that consists of a horn of varying size, useful in roping or for holding on.

4.The cantle is the back part of the seat which helps the rider maintain a “deep seat.”

Fittings for the Western Saddle The stirrups assist the rider in mounting and dismounting and help the rider maintain balance while riding.

Stirrup leathers attach the stirrups to the bars of the saddle and allow for the stirrup height to be adjusted.

The girth goes underneath the horse’s belly and is used to hold the saddle on the horse. –The girth is also called the cinch on Western saddles. –Western saddles have a front and flank (rear) girth.

–Girths are made of various materials such as leather, vinyl, webbed nylon cord, mohair, cotton, synthetic fleece, etc.

–Front girths are frequently made of chincha cord. (Chincha cord is pure cotton, pure mohair, or a combination of rayon and mohair.) –Rear girths are also called the flank girth or cinch. They are typically made of leather

Billet straps are used to attach the girth (cinch) for the “Dee” rings of the saddle. Western saddles have three billets on each side.

The saddle pad (blanket) protects the horse’s back, absorbs sweat and moisture, protects the saddle and helps the saddle fit better. Traditional size is 30”X60”

There are many types of materials including: –Sheepskin –Blended fiber –Navajo “wool” blankets –Cotton

Basics of Western Saddles Most Western saddles are produced in the United States. Unlike English saddles, a good basic Western saddle can be used for many different activities.

The MOST important thing with any Western saddle is that it fit the horse properly across the withers. You should be able to insert two fingers between the fork of the saddle and the horse’s withers with the saddle cinch girth drawn tight.

Examples of Western Saddles 1.General purpose:  Weigh between pounds.  Most common saddles that are ideally sited for pleasure and trail riding.  Also known as pleasure/trail riding saddles.  Designed for comfort of the rider.

2.Roping Saddle:  Weigh 38-55lbs  Large heavy duty saddle with a large horn useful for stock work.

3.Equitation (Western Pleasure)  Saddle with heavy ornamentation for shows and parades.  Typically quite heavy.

4.Bronc saddles  Designed to allow the rider freedom of movement.  Necessary for bucking horses in rodeos.

5.Bareback rigs  Sturdy pieces of leather often used in the place of bronc saddles.  Feature a “handhold” without the use of stirrups.

6.Endurance Saddle  Very light weight.  Usually made of synthetic material to provide comfort for the horse and rider over long distances.

7.Other western saddle include the Reining, Cutting and Barrel Racing  Each are designed for a specific task.

English Saddles

The tree of the eastern saddle: –The frame or tree of the saddle consist of laminated plywood, fiberglass, steel or a combination of these materials. –English saddles are covered with a variety of materials such as leather, synthetic material, felt, pigskin, etc.

Types of English Saddles There are two basic types of trees for English saddles: 1.The rigid tree is a frame without steel straps under the seat. The rigid tree is usually used for saddle-seat saddles

2.The spring tree has two strips of steel that run directly under the seat of the saddle and act as springs.

Basic Parts of the Eastern Saddle Many parts of a Western saddle exist in some variation or form on Eastern saddles. The pommel is the forward part of an English saddle and is without a horn.

The girth is a single strap that goes underneath the horse’s belly to hold the saddle on the horse

The stirrup bar is used to attach the stirrup strap to the saddle

Panels are padding under the tree to cushion the horse’s back

Fittings for the Eastern Saddle Many of the same fittings are available in some form on Eastern saddles. Stirrup leathers, stirrup irons, and girths and not usually included in the price of an eastern saddle.

Basic Types of English Saddles 1.Saddle seat:  Relatively flat seat that places the rider well behind the withers and just behind the center of the horse.  Riders use these saddles on the “flat,” which means they do not use them for jumping

 Saddle seat saddles are used in the show ring and most often for riding “single-foot” or gaited breeds and Arabians

 Many are called “cut-back” saddle because the pommel or head is usually cut back to accommodate the high withers and show off the animated action and arched neck of gaited horses such as the American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walker

2.Hunt or Forward-seat saddles  More popular with United States riders.  This saddle is used by hunters and jumpers because it is designed to eliminate rider interference with the horse when jumping  Used with Quarter horses, Thoroughbreds, Warmblood breeds, Paints, Appaloosas and others.

Examples of English Saddles 1.The MOST popular Hunt seat saddle is the All-purpose saddle. This saddle is a good beginning saddle because it can be used for many different riding activities such as eventing, equitation, pleasure and trail riding.

2.The Close contact saddle is a Hunt seat saddle used for jumping. It is very seldom used for equitation or flat work. This saddle allows close contact with the equine so that the rider may have maximum control.

3.The dressage saddle is a Hunt seat saddle that is a cross between the forward and saddle-seat saddle. It is designed specifically for dressage events so the rider’s legs have maximum side contact with the horse.

4.The racing saddle is an extremely lightweight Hunt seat saddle (1 ½ pounds without stirrups) used by jockeys for racing.

5.Polo saddles are modified Hunt seat saddles for trail riding, elementary jumping, dressage and polo.

The End!