Western, English, and Australian Stock: Which Horse Saddle Is Right for You?
Horse saddles are the ultimate combination of craftsmanship, art, and function. They come in many shapes, sizes, and materials, but each is uniquely designed for a specific purpose. Western saddles are made for ranching, roping, barrel racing, and trail riding. English saddles are made for dressage, jumping, eventing, hunting, cross country, and trail riding. And Australian Stock saddles are made for trail riding, ranching, and endurance riding.
While horse saddles have different uses they all share the same basic components. In this article we’ll explain the parts of a saddle, why it’s important, and the different types you’ll find when you go shopping for a saddle.
Before you head to the tack shop or saddlery, find out what you need to know about buying a good quality horse saddle.
Parts of a Western Saddle
All horse saddles share the same basic construction components. Saddles made for jumping and hunting are more lightweight and seat the rider differently than the more rugged and sturdy Western saddle design.
Saddle Tree
Every saddle starts with the saddle tree. It's made of laminated wood, or fiberglass, and covered in sections of rawhide. Western saddle trees have 2 horizontal bars that connect the front fork of the saddle to the cantle, which is the back of the seat.
Saddle Skirt
The saddle skirt connects to the saddle tree from the underside of the 2 horizontal bars. It's there to protect the horse from the bars and keep pressure evenly distributed.
Seat
The seat is nailed into the tree. In Western saddles it is made of tin. Leather is worked over the seat for comfort and longevity.
Cantle
The cantle is the back of the seat. It's there to keep the rider in the saddle, provide a backrest, and anchor the horizontal bars of the saddle tree. A cantle can be high or low depending on the discipline and comfort of the rider.
Saddle Strings
Saddle strings are long narrow strips of decorative leather that hang off of the sides of the saddle. Saddles designed for barrel racing, reining, and show saddles don't usually have them.
Rigging
Rigging is used in Western saddles to keep the cinch strap in place with rings. Saddles can have double or single rigging.
Fenders
Fenders protect the horse from the rider's legs. They help hold the stirrup on and come in many shapes and sizes. They should be adjusted to the length of the rider's legs. Stirrup hobbles hold the stirrups to the fenders.
Stirrups
Stirrups give the rider a place to put their feet. They can be made of wood, leather, rawhide, metal, or all of the above.
Types of Horse Saddles
Western, English, and Australian Stock saddles are the most popular choices for most riders.
Western Horse Saddles
Western saddles have a horn, a very high pommel, and a moderate cantle. There are many different types of western saddles and these are some of the most popular types you'll find at the tack shop or saddlery.
Popular brands are Royal King, Circle Y, Genuine Billy Cook, Corriente, Cactus Saddlery.
Team Roping
Team roping is a rodeo event where horseback riders compete in pairs to rope the horns and legs of a steer as fast as possible.
A team roping saddle has a small horn and a short cantle. The seat is high. To make sure you're getting the right fit, make sure you are 2-3 inches from your swells.
Ranch
Ranch saddles are made for working on the ranch. They're big, heavy, sturdy, and made to withstand all the rigorous hard work the rider needs to do for the ranch.
The cantle is a high in the back and it has a deep seat. This gives you a secure and safe ride for ranching. Most ranch saddles have a rough out or hard and slick seat. These may come with saddle strings so the rider can attach equipment.
All Purpose or All Around
All Purpose or All Around Western saddles are used for, well, just about anything. You can use it for ranching, roping, barrel racing, trail riding, and more.
The cantle is high and the seat is deep. The tree is made of fiberglass and wood which makes it incredibly lightweight. The horn is strong and stout and can be used to rope and drag cows. Many cowboys and cowgirls even use them to break colts.
Barrel Racing
Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time.
Barrel racing saddles have a secure deep seat, high cantle, tall horn, and wide swells. A good barrel racing saddle is light and compact with a short skirt.
English Horse Saddles
There are quite a few types of English saddles. Popular brands are Hunter, Circuit, Bates Artiste, Stubben, Vinici Solares, Antarès, Collegiate, Pessoa, and Hermès.
Dressage
Dressage is one the three Olympic equestrian sports (the others are eventing and show jumping). The word “dressage” comes from the French word “dresseur”, which means training. The sport involves showing off a horse’s training by performing a set of prescribed movements in front of a panel of judges.
Dressage saddles have a very long flap and long billets. The seat is extremely deep and it has a knee roll to keep your leg in the proper position. It's very comfortable and allows the rider to be in the proper position for dressage. They are almost always black.
All Purpose or General Purpose English
All Purpose, or General Purpose, English saddles are designed for jumping, dressage, cross country, eventing, trail riding, and more. Many riders learn to ride English style on this type.
They have a high cantle, shorter flaps than a dressage saddle, and longer flaps than a jumping saddle. They are forward cut which allows the rider to jump.
Jumping and Hunting
Jumping saddles, or 'forward seat' or 'close contact' is designed for show jumping, hunting, and cross-country phases of eventing.
It has a forward-cut flap which allows the rider to have a shorter stirrup than other English saddles. It has very large knee rolls, a round low cantle, and is moderately deep.
Australian Stock Horse Saddle
Australian Stock saddles are used mainly for trail riding, ranching, cattle work, young horses, and endurance riding. They are considered to be a middle ground between Western and English horse saddles.
They have deep, comfortable seats and very high cantles. Their leg rests keep the rider from moving forward in the seat. It has a long flap and large stirrups.
How Much Does a Saddle Cost
The price of a saddle can be anywhere from $250 for a synthetic youth saddle to $10,000.
Ornate saddles that are made with top quality materials are typically more expensive, last longer, and are more comfortable than cheaper saddles. But no matter the price, make sure the saddle fits you and your horse comfortably.
Final Thoughts
Horse saddles are essential tools for horseback riding that come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, each designed for a specific purpose. Western, English, and Australian Stock saddles are the most common types, with each having a distinct set of characteristics to cater to the different riding disciplines. Regardless of the type, all horse saddles share basic components such as the saddle tree, seat, cantle, and stirrups. Understanding the different parts of a saddle and their purposes can help riders choose the right saddle for their needs. A good-quality saddle is an investment that ensures comfort and safety for both horse and rider.
Richard Sutherland
RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.orgRichard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.