American horse owners searching the internet for their first saddle purchase are much more likely to consider a Western saddle over any of the other types of saddle on the market, such as the English or Australian, which is primarily due to the style. and general purpose of the product.

For those people who are not connected to the equine world, it would seem that all saddles are the same when it comes down to it, however there are actually many different types and styles to choose from and if this is your first time doing it, Make The wrong purchase choice can not only be a waste of money, it could also be causing your animal back pain, which can be dangerous for the rider if the horse reacts to pain that a poorly measured saddle would cause.

Before ordering a saddle, it is your responsibility to measure certain areas of the horse to ensure the best possible fit, thus reducing the possibility of attempting to ride a poorly adjusted saddle.

Consumers who choose a western saddle do so primarily for the following two reasons.

• Western saddles connect with America’s western heritage.
• Certain categories of saddles can be used as work or sport related aids.

For the first reason mentioned above, the US has a long and well-documented history of first creaking and then training and using horses as low-maintenance working animals on the ranch primarily for listening and tethering cattle, dating back to the days of life legendary, though real. cowboys like Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok. In the period of American history known as the Wild West, horses were also the only option for transporting goods across hundreds of miles of prairie.

Such events in history are steeped in American folklore forever and play a major role in why horse owners today are likely to opt for a Western saddle, even if the horse owner does not work on a ranch or it has no connection to a workhorse environment.

Western saddles can be classified into four main categories. The show mount, the barrel mount, the rope mount and the pleasure mount.

The show saddle can best be explained as described, such that the show saddle is mainly used when the rider is riding for pleasure, or perhaps during a show-type event. On such an occasion, a show chair is not required to perform any type of work and stringing bulls or calves will not be part of the jockeys’ duty when straddling said saddle. Western Show saddlery is manufactured for sale first to make it look superior to a standard type saddle above anything else, although certain saddles can be used to tie cattle if required.

Western show saddles are often adorned with emblems and the leather is typically finished by hand using a process called tools that are used to carve symbols and designs into the leather, making the saddle a work of art. Showcase saddles are often completed with stainless steel D-rings, adding to the overall embellished look of the product. As a consequence, Western saddles are generally more expensive than rope or barrel saddles.

The second category can be divided into subcategories. The western barrel saddle and the rope saddle. The barrel saddle differs from a show saddle or rope saddle in that it is typically lighter and offers the rider a more crouched riding position to allow for quicker turns and easier horse maneuvering. Barrel saddles are primarily used for the popular barrel racing activity in which the rider has to lead the horse around a series of barrels strategically placed against the clock. The squatting position provided by the saddle allows the rider to control the horse with less input, although the rider must master a different riding style.

Western rope saddles allow the ranch worker to attach a rope to the horn part of the saddle that is attached at the front and is mounted on site near the area between the horse’s withers, a strong area in the front of a horse just above and between the shoulders. Attaching a rope here allows the horse to easily extract the muscles of smaller animals, such as bulls and calves.

A pleasure saddle is generally made of a softer material and will have a softer seat, allowing the rider to travel the longest possible distances without pain in the saddle.

When choosing a western saddle, the rider should consider exactly what the saddle will be used for before making their purchasing decision and should measure their horse at several points before choosing a saddle size and model. The websites specialized in horse saddles will provide all the information related to the measurements of the horse and the choice of saddle that is required before buying a saddle as well. An incorrect size can cause the saddle to pinch the horse’s back muscles and cause significant pain when the rider rides the animal. When this happens, the horse may try to pull the rider to avoid further pain and discomfort.