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A saddle should be selected for its intended use, pleasure riding, roping, show, bronc riding or barrel racing. Unless you are an expert, the best approach is to deal with a reputable saddle dealer or saddle maker. A saddle should be selected to fit your seat and, just as important, the horse. Take your horse saddle shopping with you if you can. A saddle should never touch the horse’s spine or put undue pressure on the withers. The bars of the saddle tree should lay flat on the horses back, just behind the shoulder blades. The gullet should clear the horses back by one inch when the rider is mounted.
Saddles are made for many specific or specialized uses. Before purchasing your next saddle determine your primary use.
Ranch Trail Riding Saddle. The primary purpose of a trail riding saddle is comfort for the rider and horse. Trail riding can extend over a long period of time. A padded seat and flexible tree contribute to comfort. The rider’s safety is also important in a trail saddle. Due to unknown terrain spook potential is high. A tree tapered to the center keeps the rider and horse more relaxed, reduces stress and increases comfort. (narrow twist) A trail saddle’s higher cantle and pommel contribute to comfort. Open skirts and tapered tree increase the riders contact and feel for the horse.
The stirrup tread is wide for both stability and long-distance comfort. More on Ranch Saddle
Barrel Racing Saddle. Racing means speed and as little weight as possible. As a result this is the lightest and smallest of all western saddles, under thirty pounds.
Another feature is a flat seat allowing the rider easy positioning to help balance the horse in turns. The fenders are free swinging to provide additional balance. The cantle and pommel are high to provide the rider a secure ride. The horn is tall for a rapid dismount.
Stirrups have a narrow tread for a more secure grip on the boot and rawhide trim that increases durability when in contact with the barrel. See buying barrel saddles.
Roping Saddle. This saddle has a deep seat to allow the roper security and balance while throwing the rope. The saddle requires strength to withstand the pressures applied by the event. The horn and tree must be extra strong to withstand the pull. The seat is designed to grip and hold the rider.
Cutting Saddle. The cutting saddle is designed to keep the rider in contact with the horse and on top and in position as the horse makes quick moves. The seat is flat and the pommel is high. Since the riders legs are not used to direct the horse the fenders are free. These saddles feature narrow stirrups and a tall thin horn.
A Penning saddle is similar with a strong tree and horn and built slightly higher. More
Reigning Saddle. The saddle is designed for close contact between the horse and rider. Skirts have cutouts, the tree is modified for closer contact, and the fenders are hung from the center of the tree.
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Big Bend Saddlery
P.O. Box 38
Alpine, Texas 79831
800-814-4502
- Bobbie Jo’s Saddlery
Rt. 1 Box 417
San Antonio, Texas 78257
800-814-0379 - Liebman’s
San Antonio, Texas - Bruce Cheaney Bits, Spurs and Saddles
3200 Hwy 82 E.
P.O. Box 1425
Gainesville, Texas 76241
817-668-8607 - Jack Cheaney’s Saddle Shop
211 W Elm
Gainesville, Texas
903-665-3361.
Roping and cutting horse saddles. - Circle Y of Yoakum, Inc.
P.O. Box 797
Yoakum, Texas 77995
512-293-3501 - Coats Saddlery, Inc.
P.O. Box 62931
San Angelo, Texas 76906
915-658-8964 - Courts Saddlery Co.
403 N. Main
Bryan, Texas 77803
409-822-0161
Sharon Camarillo (Barrel) by Courts. - R.E. Donaho Concho Saddles
Rector Story
8 E. Concho Street
P.O. Box 2321
San Angelo, TX
905-655-3270, 800-809-3270
The best hand made saddles anywhere made by Rector Story since 1938. - Ed Galemba Saddle Shop
Rt. 2 Box 318E
Stephenville, Texas 76401
800-972-5347 - J.M. Saddler Co., Inc.
12100 Crown Point #115
San Antonio, Texas 78233
800-627-2807 - Joey Jemison Saddles
1700 Sandy Lane
Weatherford, Texas 76088
800-658-6575 - Laster Saddle Shop
P.O. Box 641
Manohaca, Texas 78652
512-282-9798 - Leon’s Saddle Tree Co.
103 Ave. E
Hereford, Texas 75045
806-364-0102 - Bob Marrs Saddle Shop
101 Rancho Trail
Amarillo, Texas 79108
806-383-7711 - Price McLaughlin Saddle Shop
P.O. Box 199
Boyo, Texas 76023
817-433-5174 - Nettles Stirrups Etc.
Rt. 1 Box 224
Madisonville, Texas 77864
800-729-2234 - Pernokas Saddlery
Nick and Lindy Pernokas
3891 CR 351
Stephenville, TX 76401
Phone: (254) 968-7161
Email: pernokasaddle@htcomp.net - Preston Custom Saddlery
P.O. Drawer 507
Utopia, Texas 78884
210-966-3388 - Art Reed Custom Saddles
904 Amber
Abilene, Texas
915-677-4572
Saddles for working cowboys. Start about $1500. - Ritter Saddle Tree Co., Inc.
H.C. 12 Box 100
Anthony, Texas 70821
800451-3191 - Running W Saddle Shop
Kingsville, Texas.
BOB KLEBERG SPECIAL - Saddle Shop
943 N. Expressway #15-64
Brownsville, Texas 78520
210-542-1129 - Specialty Saddles
15635 Ave. C
Channelview, Texas 77530
713-452-5533 - West Brothers Saddlery
Rt. 4 Box 510
Center, Texas 75935
409-598-2627 - Western Suppliers Wholesale Saddlery
P.O. Box 428
Aubrey, Texas 76227
800-656-3133
Texas Best Rope Maker
- Dennis Willard
Willard Rope Co.
Makes and ships 40,000 ropes a year from Roanoke, Texas.
Texas Made Rope and Tack Suppliers
- Classic Rope Mfg. Inc.
P.O. Box 2003
Grandbury, Texas 76048
800-654-7864 - Cowboy Tack Inc.
406 Palo Pinto St.
Weatherford, Texas 76086
800-809-6131 - Greg Darnell Bits
Rt.2 Box 78-A-3
Lone Oak, Texas 75453
800-809-6131 - Hibbert’s Handmade Halters
Rt. 2 Box 44
Breckenridge, Texas 76424
800-952-5785 - Hollis Hackamore and Bit Co.
Rt. 1 Box 1
Skidmore, Texas 78389
512-287-3261 - National Ropers Supply
1410 Hwy 51 S
Decatur, Texas 76234
800-60-ROPIN - R. T. Bit and Spur
RR 6 Box 620
Gainesville, Texas 76240
817-665-8874 - Rain Tree Peruvian Tack
30169 Twin Ridge Dr.
Bulvede, Texas 78163
800-725-4119 - Roy Bits and Spurs, Inc.
P.O. Box 2956
Bryan, Texas 77805
409-822-6589 - Sims Spur Co.
P.O. Box 876
Bandera, Texas 78003
800-441-0804 - Smith Brothers Roping Supplies
I-35 and Ganzer Ropers Road
Denton, Texas 76207
800-433-5558 - Travel Lite Bridles and Tack
8825 Roaring Creek Road
Joshua, Texas 76058
817-558-7468 - Wigwam Halter Co.
Rt. 2 Box 2199
Athens, Texas 75751
800-557-2554