Basic knowledge about Western saddles
The most important prerequisite for buying a saddle is the expertise of an experienced saddle fitter. This applies to English saddles as well as to Western saddles. However, while a saddler can still compensate for some fit difficulties with an English saddle by flocking or exchanging the gullet plates, the possibilities are rather limited with Western saddles.
Keyword custom-made
For a perfect fit, custom-made Western saddles are the solution of choice, but they come at an enormously high cost. Finding a suitable Western saddle „off the peg“ for your horse can be difficult, but it is possible – especially with professional advice. In our guide, we give you valuable tips on what to look for when buying a standard Western saddle.
In order to know which saddle components have a major influence on the fit, we would first like to give you a rough idea of the design of a Western saddle.
The current form of Western saddles became established in cattle work on ranches in the USA. Since the cowboys often sat in the saddle for hours at a time, the seat had to be correspondingly large. But the horse also benefits from the generous contact surface of the saddle despite its greater weight. The horn, which is classically found on a Western saddle, served as a rest for the lasso.
The biggest difference to English saddles, however, is found in the solid wooden construction of the saddle tree. A conventional Western saddle can weigh up to 20 kg, whereas English saddles are usually under the 10-kilo mark. The reasons lie in the original purpose of Western saddles. In ranch work, the cattle were attached to the horn with the help of a lasso, so that the horn had to withstand extreme tensile stress. To counteract rapid wear and tear during work, the saddles were made of the thickest and most robust leather possible. Even today, not much has changed in the construction and choice of materials for Western saddles. With the increasing popularity of Western riding as a competitive sport, there have been some innovations in the field of Western saddles – at least for certain disciplines. For example, there are now also Western saddles with lighter plastic trees that offer weight savings of several kilograms.
The Western saddle tree
Western saddle trees consist of four parts. To the left and right of the spine are the support surfaces – the so-called bars. These are connected at the front to the fork, on which the horn is located. At the back of the seat is the cantle, which in English saddles is known as the rear pommel. When buying a Western saddle, the type of saddle tree plays an important role, read more about this in our guide.
In accordance with the special requirements in the competition disciplines, there are also various types of saddles, the individual components of which vary in strength:
| Saddle type | Features | Purpose |
| Reining saddle | – Low horn for better rein control – Large seat – Slightly raised cantle – Free swinging fenders | Recreational Western riding, horse training, competition sport |
| Cutting saddle | – Deep seat – Narrow horn – High fork – Flexible fender – Additional back cinch for stable saddle position | Cattle work |
| Roping saddle | – Sturdy and wide horn – Solid design – Low cantle | Working with the lasso |
| Barrel Race Saddle | – Short saddle – High, steep cantle – High fork – Very lightweight | High speeds, tight turns |
| Trail Saddle / Old Timer | – Padded and wide seat – Large support surface – Deep seat | Hacks, trail rides with baggage transport, slow pace |
| Pleasure / Horsemanship Saddle | – Rough seat – Cut-out skirt for more contact with the horse – Wide, backward offset fenders – Striking design (hallmarks, conchos, etc.) | Show disciplines, all-round saddle |
For some time now, Western saddles have also enjoyed great popularity among leisure riders who have not committed themselves to a specific equestrian discipline. The saddles allow for a comfortable seat and are comfortable even on longer rides. In addition, due to the large contact surface, Western saddles also offer the horse good comfort despite the heavier weight, as long as the saddle fits well. We explain in the next section what really matters when buying a saddle.