The History of the Western Saddle (part 4)

Just when you thought they had perfected the western saddle, from it’s hand tooled cow hide and silver conchos to its light weight fiberglass tree, someone decided to get rid of the tree altogether. The theory that the saddles with solid trees were restrictive, even painful, to a horse, has started to infiltrate both the English and Western industry. Some saddle makers, hoping to promote a horse’s natural way of going and thus a better performance, started designing western saddles without trees. These “treeless” western saddles conformed to the shape of the horses back by using layers of soft leather, instead of a rigid piece of wood or fiberglass.

Some saddle makers have started to use synthetic materials instead of the usual cowhide. Riders are finding these saddles easier to clean and care for as well being lightweight and available in a wide range of colours. These synthetic saddles are growing in popularity and may be the biggest single change in western saddle making. What remains to be seen is whether this is a change that is here to stay or just a passing fancy.

With all the advancements in technology and the horse industry, it is surprising that the western saddle has changed as little as it has. An antique Spanish saddle today remains completely recognizable as the predecessor to today’s western saddles. Even the new western saddles remain essentially the same as the original western saddles in design with the pommel, cantle, horn, and fenders changing very little over time. Starting out with a good design has allowed western saddles to evolve without changing the basic design.

About The Author:

Sandra Geldart is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.happy-horse-saddles.com. With a degree in Equine Science Technology, Sandra brings you 27 years experience working with horses including showing horses and barrel racing.


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