Roping Saddle Vs. Barrel Saddle

Western-style saddles are designed for comfort and durability.

The Western-style saddle was designed for the comfort of cowboys, who put in long hours doing ranch chores, and their horses. Over time, Western-style saddles evolved to meet the specialized needs of the ranch, the trail and the rodeo. Among specialized Western-style saddles are the roping saddle and the barrel saddle. The roping saddle was designed to be heavy and durable enough to withstand the pulling of roped cattle, while the barrel saddle is lighter and tighter so as to not interfere with the sharp turns and quick commands needed in barrel racing.

Function

Saddles must fit both the rider and the horse.

Saddles are like shoes, with many designs and features. Function and comfort are paramount. A dress shoe won't work well in a basketball game and neither is an ornate parade saddle the right choice for barrel racing. Today, specialized saddles are made for ranch use, pleasure riding, cattle roping, herd cutting, reining competition, barrel racing, endurance riding, shows and parades.

Structure

Saddle structure varies, depending on its use.

A saddle's form and function start with the foundation known as the tree. The tree is usually leather-covered wood, but sometimes it is fiberglass or plastic. The bars of the tree lie along the horse's back and are set at various angles to fit different horses' muscular structures. Also known as the swell or fork, it gives the saddle its shape in the front. The Western saddle's most distinctive feature is its horn--the handle on the front. The cantle is the saddle's back and can be high or low, depending on the saddle's use.

Roping Saddle

Roping saddles must be sturdy enough to withstand the pull of cattle.

The tree of a roping saddle is usually heavier and sturdier than on other saddles to withstand a rider jumping off the saddle, and cattle pulling against it. Saddles used for roping have tall, thick horns to hold roped cattle. The seat and cantle are lower than on other saddles to allow riders to quickly dismount and run to roped steer.

Barrel Saddle

Barrel racing saddles are designed to let the horse move and keep the rider secure.

Barrel racing saddles allow a horse to run comfortably at top speed and also give the rider closer contact with the horse's body during sharp turns. Barrel saddles have tall horns for the rider to hold and wide pommels to help keep the rider in the saddle during sharp turns around barrels. A deep seat also helps keep the rider in place. Trees are increasingly made from lightweight materials.

History

Saddles have evolved to meet the needs of working cowboys, show contestants and pleasure riders.

The original Western stock saddle evolved from the saddles Spanish explorers brought to the U.S. The Spanish saddles were adapted from saddles that have been traced back to the Crusades and were designed with long stirrups and a high back to accommodate riding while wearing armor. Saddles continued to develop through western expansion in the U.S. and into the 1950s, when new construction methods added durability for the working cowboy and comfort for the pleasure rider.

References

• Western Saddle Guide
• Saddle Zone

Resources

• Western Saddle History