Having a good understanding of the parts of a saddle will help you to select the best one for your needs and will also help you to understand how the different components work together. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the various western saddle part names so that you can become an expert rider!

The western cowboy culture has introduced quite a number of catchy phrases to the world. One of them is “saddle up your horse,” which means get ready to move. It’s one of the most crucial pieces of your riding tack, also known as the seat. But real riding enthusiasts would want to know what it’s made of and how it works. The more information you have about an item, the better you’ll be able to take care of it. This article covers  Western Saddle Part Names:

ABOUT THE WESTERN SADDLE

Western-style are popular among riders because of their aesthetic and cultural significance. Inspired by Spanish saddles brought to the New World by Spanish conquerors, these have their origins in the western cowboy culture. Mexican and Western American cowboys used them first to tend their livestock.

Use western saddles with high-quality leather construction for basic ranch work, show riding, trail riding, and other western riding disciplines.That’s their one major difference from English saddles. Use English tack made of leather or other lightweight synthetic material for riding in English disciplines like show jumping, show riding, and dressage.

Western horse saddles were designed to secure a rider on the horse’s back and provide comfort. They are heavier and wider to distribute the person’s weight evenly across the animal’s back. They usually feature a horn, which the rider would wrap the rope around after lassoing their cow.

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Parts Of A Saddle

Western saddle part names include components such as the tree, horn, skirt, stirrups, cantle, and fenders. These parts create a comfortable, practical, and long-lasting riding seat.  A superb leather horse saddle will typically last a lifetime, with the proper care.  Some made with lower quality, or synthetic materials will start to fail in as little as five years.  How well you care for it also determines this.  The following are the components of a western saddle.  We’ll start at the top, then the sides, and finish with the fastening straps.

Can you name the parts of a western saddle?

WHAT PARTS ARE ON TOP OF THE RIDING SADDLE?

Tree 

The tree is the frame that provides support and stability on the horse’s back. Trees are typically made of either wood or synthetic materials such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. Generally, trees will have a low profile shape that helps to improve contact between the rider and their horse. However, some trees can be more angled or raised in certain areas to provide additional wither clearance or an alternative fit for horses with more irregular conformations.

POMMEL

The Pommel is typically curved and presents a transition from sitting surface to the head. It helps to secure the rider, as well as providing stability for performing various maneuvers on horseback. Mounting the pommel directly above the horse’s center of gravity keeps your weight more centered.

GULLET

The gullet is the funnel-shaped part under the pommel, and it sits above the horse’s withers, keeping the bars together. The gullet angle affects how well the saddle fits the horse. A damaged gullet will force you to get a new saddle.

SEAT

The seat is a replaceable part of the saddle where you sit. Its width is greater than that of the pommel. Western horse saddles have deeper seats, often with underlying foam padding for comfort.

CANTLE

The cantle is the raised back end of the saddle that stabilizes the tree and serves as the part where you rest your back.

SKIRT

The skirt is the leather or sheepskin section beneath the saddle tree so that the animal’s back won’t make contact with the hard saddle bars.

 

WHAT MAKES THE SIDES OF THE WESTERN SADDLE?

STRINGS

Attach leather strips to the back and pommel and hang them on the sides. You can use them to fasten objects like bags or slickers for transport. Mostly find them in old western horse saddles.  On the front of the skirt, D-rings help secure the breastplate in place.

STIRRUPS

These are a pair of sturdy frames on the sides of a saddle for use to get on or off the horse. You place your foot on the stirrup and leverage it to get on the horse.

FENDERS

These are leather strips on the two sides, they hold the stirrups in place and attach to the saddle. They also keep your legs from making contact with the animal’s sides, thus ensuring comfort for you and the horse.

 

SECURE SADDLES ON THE HORSE.

Use the cinch and latigo straps to keep the saddle in place after fitting it on the horse with the help of the V-shape of the gullet.

CINCH

This wide leather strap goes behind the animal’s forelegs to fasten the saddle in place. In some cases, use only a front cinch, while in others use a front and back cinch together.

LATIGOES

Latigoes are the side leather straps connecting to the D-ring and Cinch to secure the saddle.

 

WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF A WESTERN SADDLE?

Western saddles can last five years and a lifetime, depending on their build quality and how you take care of them. It would help if you wipe it clean with saddle soap, applying a leather conditioner, and allowed it to dry naturally, then stored it in a cool, dry place.  Some parts, such as fenders, paddings, latigoes, seats, and cinches, are replaceable, and it’s often more economical than replacing it.

Get a replacement if the gullet or tree is damaged. It’s a good idea to replace aging saddles as soon as you find major parts broken.  If you ride with it broken, depending on the part or severity, it will not be comfortable for horse, and possible painful.  Riding a horse when it is not comfortable, of in pain can be dangerous for both the rider and the horse.

WRAP-UP

Western horse saddles are a celebration of cowboy culture and unique riding styles. Together with the bridle and reins, they form the essential pieces of a horse riding tack.  Knowing the different parts  and their function are the first steps to properly using it and caring for it. In the comments section, let’s know if you have further questions or something to add about western saddle part names.