The Fascinating History Of The Western Saddle

The Fascinating History Of The Western Saddle

by

michael russell

The fascinating history of the western saddle and its general attributes goes back to before the first cowboys of America’s western plains took to their tasks. The saddle itself developed in response to specific cowhand needs, meaning that it was more intended for work than for any show or recreational horse riding purposes. It’s usually used as the work saddle by men and women on cattle ranches all over the American west.

This special saddle is also the one known to a multitude of fans of the so-called cowboy western movie and television show. It’s a staple of the guest or dude ranch, as well, and it works well at delivering a decent amount of relative comfort to those riding in it, on horseback. Even the untrained rider usually reports that he or she managed to make it through a full day in the saddle when using this version, by the way. It was the saddles of the Spanish vaqueros, who worked as cattle hands and horse trainers in Mexico and the American Southwest of the 19th century that are the progenitors of classic American western saddles. These vaqueros needed a saddle that could give at least a bit of comfort while they were out working vast swaths of land for days at a time. The resulting saddle was one that came from two different types used for horseback riding back in Spain. Now, these vaqueros were pleased in the main by the combination saddle that resulted but one thing they all required was something upon which they could fasten a rope, which tended to have a very testy cow or steer at the other end. The result was the saddle horn, which a cowboy or vaquero could use to “dally” (wrap) the rope around, securing the roped cow to the saddle, horse and cowboy quite securely. Nowadays, the horn — except in cases of it being used on a working cattle ranch or rodeo contest — is more intended for decorative or nostalgia purposes. This doesn’t mean that it’ll be going away anytime soon, though, because a saddle and its horn is as integral to the idea of the American west as John Wayne or Clint Eastwood was necessary to the best western-themed movies of their day. It wasn’t only the vaquero saddle itself that gave rise to the classic western-themed saddle, though, because it also owes its existence to another Spanish riding saddle known as the tree saddle. And it’s the tree saddle itself that gave rise to the classic American horse cavalry saddle of the 19th century; the McClellan. A western saddle has developed in such a way that it’s comfortable to ride upon for long stretches of time. It was originally developed to be an effective tool for the vaqueros and American cowboys of the 19th century, who needed a comfortable yet stable platform upon which they could do their work. They have a long and distinguished history of service to horse riders, and they’re the preferred saddle of riders out in the American west. In short, they’re a very useful invention.

Affordable

leather horse saddles

, tack, halters, and branded

western saddle

are offered by Westernride.com those are suitable for horse riding during the riding seasons help the users to enjoy nice and peaceful trail rides, pleasure down the rail, or into faster paced barrel.

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